Iknyte ⁽⁰⁾

You may be wondering... What in the world is Iknyte? 
It's true; at first glance, Iknyte can appear a bit puzzling. But fear not; we're here to shine a light on it.

Have you ever felt the desire to be enviromental and socially conscious but didn't quite know where to begin? Mindful consumerism can seem like a daunting journey, filled with pricey eco-alternatives and saying goodbye to some of your everyday conveniences. In fact, this is called the green gap and it can amount to 75-85% increase. The six main reasons are lower demand, costlier raw materials, omission of toxins, fair wages, certifications or sustainable business practices.

Practical DIY Sustaianble Solutions
That's where we step in: to assist you on your sustainability journey! Let's start with an example: you've probably felt guilty every time you bought a single-use plastic water bottle. So, how could you avoid it? Well, you can opt for a reusable bottle and carry it with you everywhere. But what if you don't have it with you and you're incredibly thirsty with no alternatives in sight?  Here's where Iknyte comes in. Within our community of innovators, you'll find detailed steps to repurpose that plastic bottle into something useful, like a mosquito trap. I bet you didn't know that was possible...

But, how do you even come up with that idea? What is that liquid made of? Ahá! 😉 Iknyte to the rescue... An innovator from our community has shared all the steps and details you need to follow to achieve it. Hey, you might even strike up a conversation with the innovator to seek advice or share the challenges you came up with when replicating it. Of course, in the process, you might find that it doesn't quite work for your specific bottle shape. Then, just share your feedback so that it can help others in the future!

A lot of work? - The commercial alternative
We know that being sustainable can take precious time & energy you might not have to spare, especially if you're a busy parent. But don't stress, we've got your back with a section dedicated to practical, sustainable solutions that you can purchase in the specific region that you life. We're not exactly a marketplace, but we can offer discounts on innovative and creative sustainable solutions that bring you real value. For example, if you're concerned about the environmental impact of the disposable diapers for your baby, we have solutions that can teach you how to make your own compostable or reusable ones, but we also provide commercial alternatives. Or maybe you're looking for a long-lasting, eco-friendly yoga mat; you can explore DIY options, and if you're not satisfied, you'll find validated & certified commercial alternatives.

What is sustainability?
Sustainability can be understood from various perspectives, it can have many sides. For instance, you may see that a hotel has the highest sustainability score in Booking, but is that really sustainable? How does it compare with a countryside house completely integrated in nature? Is it really comparable? Our take is that being sustainable it's not just about being carbon-neutral; it's about making thoughtful daily choices and changes to reduce the environmental impact from the core of the product or service. To create something that could last, ideally iternally. There is so much more one can do before resorting to carbon compensation, that's the easy way. That's why, from Iknyte, we encourage our stunning innovators to do a bit more, like participating in open-innovation challenges to address some of the most pressing societal issues.

Open innovation - The Challenges
What's more, those challenges can bring a lot of value to companies, for example Pringles. They've been selling cripss for many years, their star product being their characteristic cylinder-shaped packaging. However, they've realised that after one finishes them, it becomes just waste. They propose two challenges: first one provides a short-term solution, to find some way to upcycle it; the second to use a biodegradable or reusable alternative. Because let's be honest, they can't really give up on their star packaging. 

The RODOME: an affordable photography gear made from Pringles waste. Developed by Recycling Rode.
The innovator Odemwingie Osarode came up with this amazing upcycled solution. What else could be done? What materials are out there that can make it biodegradable or reusable? Iknyte provides an environment for these innovators to thrive whilst giving them mechanisms to secure a wage and protect their Intellectual Property.

Systemic Change - The companies
But that's not the end of it. Let's consider a scenario where you're a business owner, running a construction company. Your main concerns revolve around profit, quality, and adhering to the law to not cause harm. Then someone informs you that you need to incorporate sustainable practices into your business within two years, or it's going downhill. You're overwhelmed; you want to comply, but with all the work that you already have, you don't know how to get started...

It's easy to say you must comply, not so easy to know how to achieve it.

You look for consulting companies, but their services are too expensive. You search Google and find only DIY recipes that won't cut it, they don't provide a reliable certification. 

That's when a friend introduces you to Iknyte. You register and discover practical, sustainable solutions that can be applied to your business. You find providers of sustainable construction materials, one of which offers a certified product using scrap metal waste to create an economically competitive, eco-friendly, and durable cement. For an affordable fee, Iknyte can give you a warm introduction to the company's sales representave. And it doesn't stop there. Some solutions are free, and you can share them with your team, earning points for your efforts. As you complete more actions, you can earn a certification to enhance your service's appeal.

Why is the first I hear about this?
From the perspective of a sustainable concrete company, the struggle lies in penetrating the market. Even though they have a superior product, most construction companies have binding contracts with other providers. Marketing efforts, like attending conferences and maintaining an active social media presence, yield slow growth. 

At Iknyte, we understand those pains and want to provide a new channel for reaching clients. This channel boasts a higher conversion rate and lower customer acquisition costs. With increased exposure, sustainable companies can attract more investors and even raise funds through crowdfunding. Hard journey as it can be, these companies are shaping the future of our planet ans societies. Let's do our best to support them!

Our purpose - Malawi
Now, let's journey to Malawi, where a family lives harmoniously with their community, relying solely on nature's provisions. Frequently, they resort to cutting down trees for cooking and sustenance. After a long time, the area gets deforested.

However, a local NGO volunteer, with internet access on their phone, turns to Iknyte for a bundle of solutions tailored for developing communities. They find clear instructions on crafting a solar cooker using cardboard and aluminum foil. 

Intrigued by the various practical solutions they can create from the waste materials they have, they decide to repurpose PET bottles as skylights, providing passive daylight in their homes.

From the same innovator from Mexico, the learn how to ingeniously repurpose large PET bottles to construct a fence. These innovative solutions transform what would have been wasteland into sustainable living. 

They share their results on Iknyte, garnering ample support. Their feedback on adapting solutions to their specific context—given that some solutions were designed in LATAM and others in Europe—benefits others in similar situations. Feeling inspired, they take it a step further and raise funds for a local orphanage, backed by donations from individuals worldwide, enabling them to implement more complex and costly solutions like housing and showers.

Iknyte - Present & Future
So, what is Iknyte, and what lies ahead? Currently, Iknyte is your platform for sharing DIY sustainable solutions. In the near future, we'll expand our horizons to include commercial solutions and offer workshops, both in-person and online. As we grow and scale, our vision extends further. We aspire to facilitate open-innovation challenges, embracing a new era where companies transform from within to embrace sustainability, creating a brighter future for all.