‘Entrepreneurs and start-ups … are playing an important role by developing solutions’

• What was your initial reaction to Tan90?

We came to know about Tan90 in 2019 when it submitted its application in response to the FLCTD innovation challenge… We were quite impressed with the rigour that has been put to develop a solution that could greatly benefit the food supply chain in India in reducing spoilage and loss of perishable food during transit and storage. 

Entrepreneurs and start-ups like Tan90 are playing an important role by developing solutions that – (a) reduce the dependence on fossil-fuel powered technologies (DG sets) for temperature control; (b) help to maintain quality of perishable produce, when it reaches the end-consumer and (c) help to reduce spoilage of food and perishable products that are often under reported, but lead to economic losses and contribute to the emission of greenhouse gas.  Such solutions are important baby steps that need to be scaled up in order to reduce emission in the food-supply chain. 

• What was the critical input given by your team to Tan90 Thermal Solutions?

FLCTD provided financial support to Tan90 to test and validate its thermal solution with different types of perishable products.

We encouraged Tan90 to identify potential clients, customers (end users) and test its solution for different products that needed cooling, over a period ranging anywhere from six to 12 months. Besides proving the technical aspects of the solution, it will provide insights to Tan90 on the efficacy of its product. The trials will further help Tan90 configure solutions and develop different business models for different clients and for different products - for instance delivery of flowers, organic drinks from farm to market, inter-city supply of seafood and poultry, delivery of vaccines and the like.

It establishes credibility of the solution and gives confidence to the start-up that it can scale up. FLCTD will provide further support in the form of financial mentoring and prepare them to raise funds, thus providing hand-holding for their growth journey.

• What in your view was lacking in Tan90 Thermal Solutions and how did FLCTD assist in filling that gap?

Tan90’s solutions need to be tested and validated with different types of perishable products, at a large volume and over a period of time to establish a clear cost-benefit. This is the gap FLCTD’s financial support helps start-ups like Tan90 to fill.

Credits

Writer: UN/Nitya Varadarajan/Word Wide Media

Photographs: Kannan Srinivasan (Tiruvallur) and Word Wide Media (Chennai)