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Description
The project is about the development and implementation of an online application with an integrated website called New in Town, that aims to support “ecological” removals. Partners of the application will be transport and removal companies whose fleets meet EU standards for combustion gases, and who will use (on a rental basis) reusable containers and blankets provided by our company to pack and secure loads. These partners are to be promoted in the application which will calculate CO2 emission savings when the user chooses an ecological removal option. We are commissioning a scientific unit to develop an algorithm for the app to calculate estimated CO2 emissions into the atmosphere for each removal option. Parameters of the packaging materials chosen by the app user and of the transportation services offered by the partners will be considered in the calculation, allowing for an informed choice of the optimal removal option - with minimal financial and environmental cost. It is worth noting that the disposal of reusable plastic containers that can be used by app user will produce ca. 0.42 tons less CO2 per year, as compared to the disposal of single-use cardboard boxes commonly used for removal purposes.
The implementation of our application will also bring an undoubted benefit of environmental education of the users learning about the impact of their consumer choices on the environment.
In addition to the services of the scientific unit, the project includes cooperation with the Norwegian partner, International Development Norway, in the field of business mentoring for a board member, as well as developing a business model, customer segmentation, market research and offer optimization. We plan to purchase a server, a storage cabinet and a set of containers, as well as a mobile application and development of the project website.
Summary of project results
The aim of the project was to enhance the competitiveness of New in Town Sp. z o.o. in the field of innovative, environmentally friendly technologies by introducing an innovative application to the market. This application is designed to optimize the moving process and minimize its environmental impact to the greatest extent possible. The New in Town application will have the following functionalities:
- Dimensioning function for photographed objects/furniture to determine their dimensions and volume. The application takes photos of these products/items.
- Furniture/item marketplace for moving and a transport marketplace.
- Integrated calendar with task planning functionality.
- Determination of the carbon footprint of the move and the option to choose an eco-friendly variant.
- Development of the application on IOS and Android platforms, available and accepted by Apple Store and Google Store.
The innovation of the application lies in its multifaceted utility, providing new experiences for users, and the ability to reduce the negative impact of moving on the environment. The application is integrated with a website that allows users to preview and manually input data. However, the primary platforms of operation are mobile device applications, enabling dimensioning of items and various other functions (targeted destination platforms). The application''s partners will be transportation and moving companies with fleets meeting European emission standards. These companies will utilize (on a rental basis with a deposit) New in Town''s reusable containers and cotton blankets to pack and secure cargo. Such businesses will be promoted in the application, which will calculate how much the eco-friendly moving option saves in terms of CO2 emissions. However, the solution does not exclude other providers, leaving the decision to choose (eco-friendly or not) in the hands of the user. The solution was developed in collaboration with a scientific unit (CTT UMK) and a Norwegian partner (ID Norway). The innovation of the technology has been confirmed by the issued Innovation Opinion. An important element was the acquisition of know-how by the beneficiary through the Norwegian partnership (mentoring for Ms. Natalia Czarnecka and business modeling advice).
The project implementation included the following tasks: a/ Task 1: Project Development, b/ Task 2: Project Implementation, c/ Task 3: Project Promotion.
Ad.a/ Completed: -Advisory services - STARTOVA.PL sp. z o.o. (CTT UMK); completion date: February 14, 2023; -Advisory services involving the development or implementation of a new or significantly improved product, service, technology, or a new design project - Norwegian partner International Development Norway; completion date: October 25, 2023; -Advisory services in the form of Business Mentoring for Women for Ms. Natalia Czarnecka - Norwegian partner International Development Norway; completion date: October 25, 2023.
Ad.b/ Completed: -Acquisition of new fixed assets: Collapsible KLT-type container, Supplier selected by the tender procedure No. 2023-11780-172001; completion date: October 19, 2023; -Acquisition of new fixed assets: Server, Contractor selected by the tender procedure No. 2023-11780-172001; completion date: October 19, 2023; -Acquisition of new fixed assets: UPS for the server, Supplier selected by the tender procedure No. 2023-11780-172001; completion date: October 19, 2023; -Acquisition of new fixed assets: Standing rack cabinet, Supplier selected by the tender procedure No. 2023-11780-172001; completion date: October 19, 2023; -Acquisition of new fixed assets: Application, Contractor selected by the tender procedure No. 2023-4595-147332; completion date: October 26, 2023; -Advisory services involving the development or implementation of a new or significantly improved product, service, technology, or a new design project: Website, Contractor selected by the tender procedure No. 2023-4595-147332; completion date: October 26, 2023.
Ad.c/ Completed: Project promotion: video presentation, completion date: October 31, 2023 and translation of the presentation into sign language; completion date: October 25, 2023. Due to the low value of the selection, the contractors were chosen directly.
Increase in competitiveness of New in Town Sp. z o.o. in the field of innovative, environmentally friendly technologies by introducing an innovative application to the market aimed at optimizing the moving process and minimizing environmental pollution resulting from it. Main Beneficiary- New in Town Sp. z o.o.
Undoubtedly, the Beneficiary is also Mrs. Natalia Czarnecka, the project originator, for whom the Business Mentoring Module for women in business was conducted and in such a situation: women in general.
Among the potential groups or entities that can be considered complementary beneficiaries of the project, we should identify:
- Norwegian Partner ID Norway - resulting from establishing cooperation and strengthening the position in the Polish market,
- Transportation companies - Achieving an excellent tool to support sales,
- Individuals, legal entities, and consumers - access to another tool supporting relocations,
- Disabled and individuals with hearing impairements- video- presentation and platform structure,
- Society in a general sense – increase in environmental and technological awareness among application users.
Below, we refer to the project indicators, with the provided values corresponding to: the target value/ achieved value in the project/ degree of completion %:
1. Number of innovative products commercialized: 1/1/100%,
2. Number of products developed: 1/1/100%,
3. Number of mentoring services applied/supported in the enterprise: 1/1/100%,
4. Number of jobs created (in total): 3,00/ 3,00/ 100%,
5. Estimated reduction of annual CO2 emission (tons): 0,42/ 0,42/ 100%.
The project has a positive impact on the policy of gender equality and non-discrimination. It is in line with the principle of gender equality. Moreover, the project significantly contributes to narrowing the gender gap in entrepreneurship through mentoring. The new product is fully accessible to individuals with hearing impairments due to the use of modern visual techniques in presentations. Impact of the project on the principle of sustainable development Is obvious.
Summary of bilateral results
1/ Mentoring: the task included 55 hours of targeted mentoring tailored to the needs of the project initiator, taking into account the specificities arising from women-led businesses, in line with the program''s assumptions.2/ Advisory Services: The Advisory Services included Business Modeling, Analysis of Target Markets, and Segmentation and Characterization of the customer market in the context of implementing innovations covered by the project. This aimed to optimize the already developed model and maximize profits from commercialization. a/ Business Model Development - The goal was to define a business model (design or architecture of mechanisms for creating, delivering, and capturing value) for New in Town, taking into account the constraints associated with the operation of SMEs. This required adapting the approach to designing, experimenting, and introducing innovations to consider the characteristics of value creation processes significantly different from larger organizations. b/ Offer optimization and customer segmentation - The objective was to identify and find a match between the key elements of the BM Canvas, i.e., the value proposition and customer profile. Professionally determining customer profiles created a solid foundation for the successful business model adopted by the project promoter. c/ Market research - Based on selected customer segments, it was crucial to review and acquire additional knowledge about specific markets (including geographical ones) targeted by the beneficiary. This helped in identifying and analyzing market needs, market size, and competition. Market research also included identifying potential partners/stakeholders.The implementation of the Advisory Services task was planned for 220 hours and was carried out according to the assumptions. The expenditure amount was determined based on the signed partnership agreement.