Peeschute on front-page Times of India We are thankful to TOI for putting up this wonderful article in the front page of Gujarat edition.
Disposable urine bags solution for a ‘loo’ming problem
TNN | Jan 11, 2019, 10.52 AM IST
AHMEDABAD: Almost every footloose Gujarati fond of travel would relate with the challenge of holding a bursting bladder for want of a clean loo!
Why, most even consciously severely cut down drinking water before embarking on a journey to avoid using filthy loos that threaten to guarantee an infection!
A startup based in Ahmedabad and incubated at Centre for Innovation Incubation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE) of IIM-Ahmedabad found a business opportunity in this problem and has come up with unisex disposable urine bags that would help many ease themselves without the bother of spilling, literally.
The biodegradable bag is lined with special gel that instantly solidifies urine turning it into odour-free non-liquid which can be stored and disposed at one’s convenience.
Siddhant Tawarawala, 26-year old founder and CEO of Wide Need Pvt Ltd says the idea triggered from a personally embarrassing experiences desperately looking for a loo. “I have been travelling extensively since the age of 15 and I experienced the issue of non-available toilets firsthand on several occasions. During my MBA at Nirma University, I decided to turn this problem into an opportunity and focused on design thinking. The first prototype took shape after several modifications.”
It took three years from 2015 for developing the idea into a commercial product. The big push came when it got funding by the Government of India for up-scaling for addressing a social problem.
The project got recognized by American Embassy supported Nexus programme and Venture Studio at Ahmedabad University. After the working prototype, CIIE at IIM Ahmedabad (IIM-A) supported it to reach to the market.
“Apart from travellers, it can also be used by the persons with disabilities and those recovering from injuries. Last week, we have launched the product and have also made it available on an online shopping platform,” said Tawarawala.
Susmita Ghosh, senior manager (ecosystem) at CIIE, said that social entrepreneurship is a powerful tool to address critical challenges of the society. “In the recent times, CIIE has extended solid support to entrepreneurs focused on creating innovative and sustainable solutions. We are proud of their progress and potential,” she said.
Why, most even consciously severely cut down drinking water before embarking on a journey to avoid using filthy loos that threaten to guarantee an infection!
The biodegradable bag is lined with special gel that instantly solidifies urine turning it into odour-free non-liquid which can be stored and disposed at one’s convenience.
Siddhant Tawarawala, 26-year old founder and CEO of Wide Need Pvt Ltd says the idea triggered from a personally embarrassing experiences desperately looking for a loo. “I have been travelling extensively since the age of 15 and I experienced the issue of non-available toilets firsthand on several occasions. During my MBA at Nirma University, I decided to turn this problem into an opportunity and focused on design thinking. The first prototype took shape after several modifications.”
It took three years from 2015 for developing the idea into a commercial product. The big push came when it got funding by the Government of India for up-scaling for addressing a social problem.
The project got recognized by American Embassy supported Nexus programme and Venture Studio at Ahmedabad University. After the working prototype, CIIE at IIM Ahmedabad (IIM-A) supported it to reach to the market.
“Apart from travellers, it can also be used by the persons with disabilities and those recovering from injuries. Last week, we have launched the product and have also made it available on an online shopping platform,” said Tawarawala.
Susmita Ghosh, senior manager (ecosystem) at CIIE, said that social entrepreneurship is a powerful tool to address critical challenges of the society. “In the recent times, CIIE has extended solid support to entrepreneurs focused on creating innovative and sustainable solutions. We are proud of their progress and potential,” she said.
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