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VISION NXT

OBJECTIVE

You have $1M, now develop a fail-proof local startup that is ergonomic and sustainable.

VISION NXT: AN URBAN FARMING START-UP

Gardening is cheaper than therapy and you get tomatoes

LOCAL FARMING

PROBLEM

  • Access to affordable organic produce in urban areas

  • Lack of sustainable farming practices

  • Overproduction

  • Unoptimised supply chain system

  • Excessive use of natural resources to cultivate farmland

SOLUTION

  • Use of hydroponics, treated wastewater, and vertical soil-less farms

  • Organic and healthy alternative to commercial produce

  • Implementing solar energy and automation to increase efficiency

IMPACT

  • Creates employment and raises awareness

  • Reduces carbon emissions considerably

  • Uses under-utilised space

  • Revitalises local agro-economy

PMI ANALYSIS

POSITIVES

  • Equal access to organic produce

  • Affordable commercial space due to under-utilisation

  • Reduces steps in the global supply chain system

  • In-line with the UAE's Mission 2021 and Vision 2051

MINUSES

  • Heavy investment in niche technology

INTERESTS

  • Redefines market valuation for healthy, organic produce

  • Zero-waste initiative

  • Expecting short-medium term implementation of government subsidies and tax exemptions

PESTEL ANALYSIS

POLITICAL

  • Government supports use of hydroponics for local farming

  • Permits and licensing are fully transparent and accessible

  • Value-added tax is exempt on locally grown produce

ECONOMIC

  • Studies show ‘AgTech’ and ‘local farming’ as high growth, critical sector - expecting maximum governmental support in terms of land allocation, subsidies and tax exemptions

  • Providing employment in the agricultural sector and revitalising the local food economy

SOCIAL

  • UAE residents: 68% overweight, 28% obese, 44% high cholesterol levels, 29% high blood pressure, 20% eat highsodium foods

  • Diseases are responsible for 30% of all deaths in the UAE.

  • Lifestyle change for UAE residents: green and healthy trends

TECHNOLOGICAL

  • Less than 1% of UAE’s land is arable, making vertical farms the most viable and sought-after option

  • Automated water and temperature control for optimal growth conditions

  • Use of solar panels for 100% operational needs

ENVIRONMENTAL

  • Increasing self-sustainability of the UAE by implementing a successful vertical farming system

  • Using treated wastewater to reduce the farms' environmental impact

  • Hydroponics in vertical farms use 90% less water than traditional farms

LEGISLATIVE

  • Require clearance from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Ministry of Health and Prevention, Ministry of Food Security, Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure.

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SWOT ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS

  • Redefining the local supply chain system

  • High degree of self-sustainability

  • Normalising organic produce Increases availability of affordable, healthy produce

  • Introduces agro-related jobs in a deficit market

  • Revitalising the local economy by supporting home-grown farms

WEAKNESSES

  • Vertical farming method does not support all traditional produce

  • Initial cost of implementation is high

OPPORTUNITIES

  • Expansion into rooftop farming through a service-oriented business model - Elevate NXT

  • Connecting with local retailers to implement a highly efficient supply chain system - Connect NXT

  • Reducing excess by increasing access point through food trucks - Move NXT

  • Education plan for aspiring agriculture professionals

  • Partner with UAE government schemes like Ma'Kom and National Food Security Strategy 2051

THREATS

  • Increasing rents over a three year time period

  • Pre-existing small-scale vertical farms with greater financial and experiential potential

TIMELINE

YEAR 2

Plant HUB launch - initiation of trailer farms to support remote access

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YEAR 5

Elevate NXT + Connect NXT launch - poly-houses and fully sustainable water and electricity supply system

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YEAR 8

Move NXT launch - food truck service that manages excess produce and collects food for redistribution

THE PLAN(S)

PLAN A

  • Convert manufacturing business to service oriented initiative

  • Offer package based services to potential real estate developers

  • Help convert vacant rooftops to self sustainable farming units

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PLAN B

  • Repurpose equipment and all related business investments to pre-existing, small scale urban farming initiatives 

  • Target investors include Carrefour, Madar, Badia Farms

LET'S TALK MONEY

  • $100,000 Labour + $55,000 Energy = Basic overheads of $155,000

  • $2,000 per square meter setup cost of vertical farm x 250 sqm = One-time investment of $500,000

  • $54.5 per square meter x 250 sqm x 24 months = Rental Cost of $327,000

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TOTAL = $1,000,000

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FOOD FOR GOOD

  • Convert unused commercial real estate (micro malls) into farms using vertical farms and sustainable urban farming practices

  • After-sales service - training community leaders, installing and maintaining water and electricity systems, and periodic checkups to ensure compliances with best urban farming practices

  • Connect local farmers and local retailers to help implement a locally sourced supply chain system.

  • Food trucks at local city hotspots that provide affordable, healthy, organic food items

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