Startup Profile

Plante

Melbourne, Australia

Plante provides price-competitive products made from food waste, starting with coconut fibre, to end reliance on plastic pots in the gardening sector.

Team members:

Nguyen Hanh Nguyen

Founder

Minh Nguyen

Technical Lead

Bach Le

Software Engineer

Thinh (Ryan) Nguyen

UI Designer

The problem we're solving

Even though big gardening retailers or nurseries claim to have a recycling system, 134,000 tonnes of PP5 plastic plant pots used end up in landfills, contributing to environmental pollution and waste.

Our solution

Plante provides sustainable and biodegradable plant pots made from food waste, starting with coconut fibre, aiming to eliminate reliance on plastic pots and substantially reduce waste for businesses and gardeners.

Our differentiator

Plante's competitive edge resides in our commitment to offering affordable, compostable coir pots and comprehensive garden management services. This approach positions us as a one-stop-shop platform for businesses and eco-conscious customers aiming to minimise their plastic waste and broaden their understanding of sustainable practices. In the crowded B2C market, their gardening starter kit serves as novel gifts and as tools to educate consumers about sustainable gardening alternatives and gather feedback for product improvement. In the competitive B2B market, their edge lies in their strong relationships with manufacturers and competitive pricing. Unlike competitors that rely on cheaper materials, Plante utilise recycled food waste, offering a cost-effective and compostable solution that doesn't compromise quality or functionality.

Biggest achievement

As a pre-launch startup, Plante has successfully amassed over 1500 waitlist sign-ups and sparked the interest of more than 300 users for product trials. They have also executed an impactful pilot program with Bright Horizons Australia Childcare in Elsternwick, gaining critical insights into end consumer needs. Moreover, they have secured a partnership with Insight Academy, evidenced by a Letter of Intent to supply plants for their new premises. Adding to these accomplishments, they have successfully raised a total of AU$20,000 in grants from LaunchVic, StartSpace, Viet Innovation, and SproutX.

Victorian Clean Technology Fund
DiUS
LaunchVic
KHQ Lawyers
Pitcher Partners
Facet5
HubSpot
Amazon Web Services
Stripe