Can you provide a brief overview of your background and journey?
We are Pit-To-Table, a Cypriot start-up who formed our team for the SocialTech Lab x UNDP Accelerator programme -Youth Innovation Factory (YIF) in Cyprus in September 2023 with the idea to use organic waste to create worktops for interior applications.
Our team consists of myself, Mustafa, an interior designer, business owner and MA tutor in Interior Design & Sustainable Futures. I’ve been lucky enough to gain recognition in the London design scene. Alongside me are Yagmur; a management consultant with experience with the Big 4 as well as a family background in furniture manufacturing, and Bugra; an electrical engineer and building services consultant who worked with the likes of Adobe and Meta.
Since our formation, we’ve achieved significant milestones, including winning the UNDP and TRNC grants. Now, we’re in the final stages of research and development, turning our vision into a tangible product.
What inspired the creation of your project or venture?
As an interior designer, I’ve always been aware of how wasteful the construction industry can be. The global push via UN’s SDGs as well as governmental policies gave rise to increased awareness within the industry which led to new innovative ideas to tackle the problem. Sustainable materials for interior and exterior applications have been popular in recent years.
I wanted to combine my passion for Cyprus and design experience by creating a product that would celebrate both. Olive oil extraction has been a staple family activity each autumn and seeing the pomace (organic waste) after extraction go to waste gave me the idea to utilise this waste into something functional and meaningful.
Why did you specifically choose to focus on olive pits for your project, and how do you plan to acquire them in the future?
Growing up in Cyprus, we have always been aware of the pomace generated from extracting olive oil from our trees, which typically ends up in landfills or is sold as a combustible material. For every kilogram of pomace burned, two kilograms of CO2 are released into the atmosphere. Our project aims to positively impact the environment, not just locally on the island but also globally, by reducing the demand for non-renewable materials.
Additionally, our future customers will gain access to high-performance, affordable, eco-friendly bio-composite panels that meet industry standards for interior applications. The local economy will benefit from the creation of new job opportunities and support for olive farmers on both sides of the island.
We plan to acquire organic waste from farmers on both sides of the island and are currently in discussions with both Turkish and Greek Cypriots to establish working relationships. Our goal is to set up an initial supply chain and expand our network on both sides moving forward.
How do you ensure the quality and safety of tables made from olive pits? How does the manufacturing process differ from traditional furniture-making methods?
We are currently working with NEEMA Labs, whom we met during the accelerator programme. As materials engineers, they are assisting us in the final stage of our R&D, which includes the mechanical testing of our product to obtain certification for stability and strength.
The manufacturing process is actually much simpler than using widely available MDF (medium-density fiberboard) panels, which undergo heavy industrial processing and involve chemicals and plastics in their final product. Our process includes mixing pits with a sustainable bio-based adhesive, pouring the mixture into a pre-shaped mold, and drying it at room temperature instead of using a hot press. We do not cut any trees, use large amounts of electricity, or engage in mining to create our worktops.
What role does technology play at Pit-To-Table?
Due to being a tangible product, our initial technology needs are quite basic: setting up our machines in the factory to manufacture the product. However, if successful, automation would significantly streamline our manufacturing process. One of our milestones is to expand from B2B to B2C, which would involve creating a user-friendly platform where customers can design, optimize, and order their products online. We envision AI playing a role in helping customers visualize the product in their space. However, we are still a few years away from achieving this milestone.
You were one of the winners of the UNDP YIF 2023 program. How has this impacted Pit-To-Table, and how did the training, mentorship, and funds help accelerate your idea?
The financial support has helped us during our R&D stage by allowing us to purchase materials, conduct trials, and commission teams to run tests for us. Most importantly, winning the program has greatly encouraged us along our journey, providing certainty in our idea and affirming that we can be successful. This success has motivated us to continue applying for other funds (leading to the successful acquisition of another one) and to persevere even when we face rejections.
The project book we created for the UNDP YIF 2023 has been one of the best business plans anyone can have. It’s our go-to resource for funding applications and investor pitches, thanks to invaluable mentoring from STL members and external coaches. The pitch deck we created, during the programme has also been key in securing funding opportunities. Initially, we didn’t fully appreciate the value of developing a prototype for our pitch, but we’ve come to recognize its critical role in our journey.
As one of the winning teams of the Ignite NEB Hackathon, you earned the opportunity to advance to the Grow NEB program to further develop your prototype. Can you share your experience during the hackathon, and what you hope to achieve by the end of the Grow NEB program?
The hackathon was a fantastic opportunity for us to come together as a team, reflect on our progress, and re-strategize based on the insights gained over the weekend. This included creating a stronger pitch deck and refining our pitch to be more concise and impactful.
Since transitioning to the Grow NEB program two months ago, we have actively been prototyping and testing after acquiring key machines, tools, and raw materials. Our focus has been on scaling up from small sample pieces to larger panels, allowing us to explore material behavior at different sizes. We have conducted extensive manual strength testing, adjusted ingredient proportions, and experimented with various mixing and pouring techniques.To improve surface quality, we have tested methods for reducing air bubbles, including applying pressure and vacuum, while also experimenting with different pigment combinations to achieve a consistent color finish.
The panels produced so far have been cut into coffee table tops, enabling real-world user testing. This has provided valuable feedback on both functionality and aesthetics, helping us assess the material’s performance in practical applications. These insights are guiding the next phase of development as we continue refining both our process and product.
We are incredibly excited to connect with various NEB members, expand our network, and enhance our technical expertise with their guidance.
Follow Pit-To-Table’s Journey!
Stay updated on Pit-To-Table’sprogress and exciting developments by visiting their website and connecting with them on social media:
- Website: pit-to-table.com
- Instagram: @pit2table
- LinkedIn: Pit-To-Table
Get in Touch:
For inquiries, reach out at:
- Email: info@pit-to-table.com
We hope you enjoyed reading the Alumni Spotlight Series blog and feel inspired by the journeys of our alumni! Stay tuned for our next series, and see you soon!
