It feels like progress is gained faster and the speed of iteration and prototyping has increased during this phase. 

Over the last ten months we have:

1. Market Research

Target market research is complete. The ideal markets have been identified and validated through primary and secondary market research from reputable sources and stakeholder interviews in the shortlisted industries. 

Mass packaging producers’ product portfolios were analysed to find the ideal parameters of a sustainable packaging solution (size, function) Over 10 000 product entries were catalogued and crosschecked with the top selling products by packaging type in the selected industries.

Based on this information a market analysis report was generated and a design brief containing the ideal product parameters was compiled.

2. Product Design

Stage 01 – Concept Design – is complete. Based on the design brief generated in the Market Research phase and extensive design research 12 concept directions were completed. The concepts explored basic geometry and function of the sustainable packaging set.

Stage 02 – Refinement – is complete. The created concepts were further optimized after multiple stakeholder meetings with producers. After this step, the concepts were further enhanced based on the feedback. Function and ease of production were the top priorities in this phase. After completing all planned rounds of meetings and optimizations the shortlisted concepts were further explored and an additional 12 sub-designs were generated to advance to final development.

Stage 03 – Final Development – is complete. Based on the feedback of packaging experts, packaging producers and mycelium composite producers final development is now complete. The designs were finalized and technical drawings and presentations were generated based on results from initial prototyping activities. 

3. Implementation Equipment & Materials

A Raise 3D Pro 3 FDM 3D printer was acquired to help increase prototyping and design capabilities. Thanks to this we are doubling the speed at which we can create prototypes internally leading to faster project output.

Enhancements for existing 3D printing equipment were acquired to boost efficiency. In addition to this materials for development were secured and are ready to be used in the next stages of the project.

4. Prototyping

Prototyping & development – is complete. Initial concepts and key assumptions are being produced and tested. Work with key stakeholders and producers has started and is planned to be completed in the following months. In Phase 03, two iterations of designs were prototyped and tested to account for all variations. These results were used in Phase 04 to run an additional set of two prototyping rounds and optimize all design aspects of the solution for producibility, cost, and function.

5. Marketing

An efficient marketing strategy to help the initial producers who will produce and sell Biomyc’s designs quickly and efficiently is completed. The strategy is created based on information from key stakeholders obtained through primary research (interviews). Based on the data gathered our team has created a tailored mix of activities that will enable an increase in conversion. Schedules and planning that were completed in Phase 03 were used to successfully start implementation during Phase 04. Implementation showed a steady increase in interest based on the conducted activities in Phase 04. In Phase 05 this trend continued and Biomyc has now gained a place in its designated platform as an industry expert.

6. Intelectual Property Protection

During Phase 05 of the project, a stunning 25 industrial designs were protected, based on a strategy developed by a leading Intellectual property rights law practice as well as one trademark that will serve as the name of the product when it enters the market. This will provide the necessary protection when implementing the designs on the market through licensing the IP to mycelium composite and paper product producers.

7. Packaging Customization Software

During the 16 months of development Biomyc, alongside a leading software development company created a proprietary software that will enable the customisation and quick purchase of the developed standardized sustainable packaging with mycelium composite and paper. The software is a plugin that interfaces with customer’s online shops and allows their users to customize packaging, choose quantities and extras, and set an order with just a few clicks.