What is your product? What is its innovative concept?

Saucijs UNIQ produces gourmet mini sausage rolls, known as "borrelbites," made from wild goose meat. Our innovative concept centers around sustainability by utilizing meat from geese that cause agricultural damage, pose dangers at airports, and contribute to overpopulation in the Netherlands. This meat would otherwise go to waste. By using it, we help manage the goose population while offering a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional meat products. Additionally, we repurpose a residual flow of puff pastry from a local baker, further enhancing our commitment to sustainability. 

With Saucijs UNIQ, you don’t have to give up meat to contribute to the protein transition. Our bites offer a way to enjoy delicious, high-quality meat while making a positive impact on the environment.

Before the competition, did you think it would have been possible to launch it?

Absolutely. Even when Saucijs UNIQ was just a school project, we managed to sell over 2,000 bites. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, which prevented us from selling through the catering industry, we gained popularity through newspapers and radio publicity. We then delivered the bites directly to people's homes. People were not only enthusiastic about the taste and quality of the product but also about our mission to address food waste and promote sustainability. This early success showed us that Saucijs UNIQ wasn’t just a classroom project—it had the potential to make a real impact and green up the world, one bite at a time.

What is the difference between the product you entered the competition with and the product sold today on the market?

The core product—sustainable goose meat bites—remains the same, but we've made significant improvements in recipe, sustainability, packaging, and partnerships. 

First and foremost, we've made notable enhancements to our recipe. Through collaboration with seasoned chefs and bakers, we've fine-tuned our bites to achieve a better taste and texture. This input has allowed us to perfect the balance of flavors and create a product that's even more delightful and satisfying.

In terms of sustainability, we've taken our commitment to the next level. We've partnered with a new baker who repurposes residual puff pastry, which would otherwise be discarded. This not only reduces food waste but also aligns with our goal of promoting a circular economy.

Can you tell us your values and missions?

Our mission is to create sustainable, high-quality food products that contribute to environmental conservation and reduce food waste. We value sustainability, quality, innovation, and responsibility. We aim to raise awareness about sustainable food practices and contribute to a circular economy.

What about the challenges you encountered during the development of your brand?

Developing Saucijs UNIQ has been an exciting journey, but it hasn’t been without its challenges. Scaling our operations while ensuring consistent quality was one of our biggest hurdles. Moving from a school project to a fully operational business required us to adapt rapidly and find the right partners who shared our dedication to sustainability. We put a lot of effort into building strong relationships with the current baker to refine our product and maintain the high standards we set for ourselves.

Logistics also presented a significant challenge. Since Saucijs UNIQ is a frozen product, getting our borrelbites efficiently to our customers required innovative solutions. Partnering with QSTA proved to be a game-changer, providing us with a reliable distribution network and helping us reach a broader audience.

Additionally, breaking into the catering industry presented its own set of challenges. Establishing our brand in such a competitive market has been and continues to be a complex endeavor. However, we’ve observed a growing trend where those seeking sustainable solutions actively seek us out. This increasing demand for eco-friendly options is driving more and more people to discover and embrace what we offer.

Funding: how did you get started?

As part of the school project Jong Ondernemen, we had to find investors with the promise of repaying them at the end of the project. We successfully raised the necessary funds by pitching our idea to people within our network, and by the project's conclusion, we were able to repay our investors with interest.

When the project ended and we decided to turn Saucijs UNIQ into a reality, one of our investors was so enthusiastic that they offered to continue supporting us, providing the additional financing needed to bring our vision to life.

About figures: what's your company size / Number of distributors / In which countries are you established?

We are a startup powered by a passionate team, including our founders, a business angel, and two account managers who handle daily operations. Our growth is supported by key partnerships. We work with QSTA in the Netherlands for logistics and storage, ensuring our bites are distributed within 24 hours while maintaining their quality. Our goose meat supplier provides only the finest meat, thoroughly inspected to prevent the inclusion of hail from hunters. Additionally, our production partner is dedicated to sustainability for both the environment and people, ensuring ethical processing that aligns with our values and promotes equal opportunities in the workforce. To help us navigate challenges and grow strategically, we’ve formed an Advisory Board with experts in protein transition, food startups, logistics, and sustainability entrepreneurship. Their decades of combined experience are invaluable to our journey.

What happened with your Ecotrophelia team: are you still together? Did you recruit other people with skills that you didn’t have in your original team?

The original Ecotrophelia team is still involved, so Willemijn and me. We've also brought on additional team members, including an account manager and have established a group of advisors, to fill skill gaps in areas such as marketing, logistics, and product development.

Do you wish to internationalize your product?

Currently, our focus will stay on the Netherlands, where there is a significant problem with goose overpopulation. As we grow, we might expand to Germany and Belgium, where geese cause similar issues.

What is your opinion about food innovation today and tomorrow ?

We believe food innovation is crucial for addressing global challenges such as sustainability, food security, and health. There is a growing trend towards plant-based and sustainable animal-based products. Looking ahead, we’re sure that future innovations will keep pushing boundaries, making our food even greener, and packing a nutritional punch. The future of food is not just about satisfying our taste buds—it’s about making a positive impact on the planet, and we’re all in for that ride.

What has Ecotrophelia brought you?

Ecotrophelia has provided us with valuable exposure, networking opportunities, and constructive feedback. It validated our concept and opened doors for further investment and development, helping us refine our business strategy.

A message for future candidates?

For future candidates, we advise embracing sustainability and innovation. Stay persistent, take feedback to heart, learn from your mistakes and remain true to your core values. Competitions like Ecotrophelia offer fantastic opportunities to gain experience, increase visibility, and turn your innovative ideas into reality. So, dive in and make your mark on the world!