Direct Source International is a proud fruit importer in a rapidly changing world. Over 10 years ago, Direct Source International was founded and over the past few years the company has grown into a true specialist for grapes and citrus fruits. These products require the right expertise. Together with our partners, suppliers, and customers, we want to enable everyone to enjoy fresh and healthy fruit.
The grapes and citrus fruits arrive at our warehouses in large quantities, after which we market them as quickly as possible. The product that comes in is generally extremely fresh and of good quality, but transport, storage and handling cause a (negative) impact on the shelf life and waste.
The impact on the shelf life and waste can occur throughout the entire process; during transport to and from the warehouse, during storage, transport to the stores or handling during packaging and repackaging. If we can innovate in one or more areas, hopefully we can extend the shelf life or reduce waste.
What are we looking for?
- Smart solutions to extend the shelf life of fresh table grapes and citrus fruits
How can we extend the shelf life of our products, both in stores as at the consumer's home? Shelf life can be extended in a variety of ways, such as through innovative ways of packaging, but then it also involves certain treatments of the fruit or specific coatings.
Citrus fruits are now waxed, but there may be new innovative coatings that extend the shelf life even more. The flavor must not be compromised in the process. With citrus, this is easier to achieve because you don't eat the peel. With grapes, it is especially important that they do not get humid, humidity speeds up the process of spoilage.
- Solutions that ensure products will continuously be stored, packed and transported at optimal temperatures.
Citrus fruits and grapes last longer if kept at a constant temperature; temperature fluctuations decrease the shelf life of the products. In the current way of processing, products arrive chilled in refrigerated containers. When the collies are unloaded, the products will temporarily stay in the hall, at slightly higher temperatures. The area where the fruit is being processed (packing and repacking) is also less cool. After processing, the fruit travels chilled to supermarket distribution centers. In these distribution centers, the temperature will also fluctuate due to order picking and shelf filling in the supermarket.
- Answers to the question what the best temperature for citrus fruit and grapes is, to make them last as long as possible.
Related to the above question about temperature fluctuations is the question of the best temperature to extend the shelf life of our products. Cold is better than warm, but which temperature is the best temperature for storing citrus fruit and grapes? Perhaps grapes require a different temperature than citrus fruit?
Does your company have an innovative solution to any of the above challenges? If so, we would like to get in touch with you!
What we offer
- Opportunity to start a development project together (and/or with partners in chain).
- Opportunity to start a pilot collaboration.
- Opportunity to get follow up contract(s) and/or structural collaboration when the pilot is successful.
How does it work?
- Send in a short and concise pitch deck with your solution.
- As soon as you have uploaded your pitch, you will receive a confirmation so that you know that we have received your pitch.
- Your pitch is only visible to DSI.
- After the deadline, DSI will assess all pitches individually and invite the companies with the most interesting solutions for a 1:1 conversation to get to know each other and look for opportunities to collaborate.
Pitch format
- Send in a short and concise pitch deck of your solution (max 4 pages / 12 slides) with description of the following two parts:
- A description of your product or solution.
Give a short description of your product or solution, as detailed and visual as possible. In which phase is the solution? - A description of your company & team
How and when was your company founded? In which phase are you? How many people? In which market are you active? Also a short description of the (managing) team.
- A description of your product or solution.
The pitch deck may be submitted in free form (presentation, slide deck, letter form), but must be uploaded as a PDF file (landscape or portrait A4 - max 30MB). Videos, example websites, etc. can be included as a link.
Timeline
- November 15 at 17.00 CET: Deadline challenge
- November 16 – Dec 5: Selection period
- December 5 - 9: Announcements selection & invites for 1:1 conversations
- December/Januari: 1:1 conversations
- Q1/Q2 2022 onwards: discuss and start collaboration
Terms & conditions
- Participation is open for startups, scale-ups, SMEs, grown-ups, innovators and scientists with an innovative product and/or technology.
- You will remain the owner of your intellectual rights, concept or solution in your pitch, until you agree otherwise.
- Be aware of the fact that your pitch (and concepts and ideas in it) will be viewed and be shared with (internal) stakeholders. Keep IP sensitive unique (technical) details out of your pitch, keep it a secret that you can share later.
- We strongly advise you to document everything you share with others and mention that information provided is confidential and intellectual property rights remain with you/ your company until agreed otherwise.
- Download Terms & Conditions