[Coworker] Michal, Founder of Food Outlet and coworker at HubHub Warsaw
Add introduction here.
Hello there, could you please introduce yourself?
Hey! I’m Michał Nowak and I’m the founder and creator of the food trading platform with a short expiration date. Food Outlet is an intelligent web-based platform that automates the distribution process of food with a short expiry date and solves the problem of food waste by facilitating it’s donation to charitable organizations. In Europe one in three food products land in the trash. This is evidence on how badly food is mismanaged. Our solution not only helps to minimize food waste but also facilitates the donation of food to the ones in need.
The main objective of the platform is to connect the manufacturer and the recipient making the online exchange of food mutually beneficial. The food manufacturer has a chance to sell goods with a short expiry date that usually would be subject to disposal. He may also donate them to a charitable organization that enables him to deduct the 23% VAT. Whereas the recipient can quickly and easily purchase selected products up to 60% cheaper.
You are a member at HubHub in Warsaw, why did you decide to go to a coworking space?
I wanted a representative office near the headquarters of the big food companies in Poland. We have our headquarters in a different city, but we have needed a suitable place for a business development. It’s hard to choose a better place than HuHub.
What made you choose HubHub?
HuhHub is located in the business district, close to the many large players in our industry. Moreover, it is very representative and has a great event space.
Cool additions are PS4 with FIFA 2018 (huge fan!) and ping-pong.
We have a great bistro on the ground floor where you celebrate a new contract and eat delicious food.
Do you collaborate with other coworkers at HubHub?
Yes of course.
This is a big advantage of coworking, the so-called synergy effect.
I often consult my actions with a law firm which also has an office here. All you need to do is knock on their room or catch-up during the community breakfast and talk about the best legal solutions for our company. Moreover, we often exchange ideas with the tech company. Last, but not the least, HubHub team has got a wide network of people that can help in various situations.
We’ve heard that you are one of the country finalist at The Chivas Venture, congratulations! Can you tell us how you ended up applying and later on being one of the finalist? What could be the outcome for you?
We managed to appear on the national finale of The Chivas Venture. It was a great adventure. We’ve learned a lot about fantastic projects from Poland, some will even create more projects. The experience of such a large and eloquent public turned out to be invaluable.
The event was preceded by workshops with one of the best keynote and public speaking specialists in Poland. A month later we managed to win the biggest (so far) prize (25.000 euro) in the startup contest during the Investment Forum in Tarnów.