Belarusian Company Seeks $100,000 to Launch First CIS Production of Washed Potatoes in Eco-Friendly Kraft Packaging
A Belarusian company, Urbanfresh LLC, is seeking $100,000 in investment to complete the launch of what it describes as the first production facility in the CIS for washed potatoes packaged in eco-friendly kraft paper. Located in the agro-town of Samokhvalovichi, just 10 kilometers from Minsk, the project is characterized as a high-readiness enterprise rather than a startup in the idea stage. The company has already established its production base, partially installed potato washing equipment, secured warehouse facilities of approximately 300 tons for raw material storage, and finalized agreements with major Belarusian retail chains. The requested funds are earmarked for a high-precision automatic weighing station, an additional “domik” format packaging machine, working capital, and the initial raw material purchase to commence industrial-scale deliveries .
The project’s core competitive advantage lies in its specialized packaging technology, which reportedly has no direct analogues in the CIS market, enabling the product to be positioned in the premium segment. The 300-ton storage capacity allows the company to purchase potatoes during the season at minimum prices, reducing vulnerability to seasonal price fluctuations while ensuring year-round supply to retail partners. According to the business plan, the project is projected to generate annual revenue of approximately $1.3 million by its third year of operation, with EBITDA margins around 20% and cumulative net profit of approximately $490,000 over the first three years. The payback period is estimated at less than one year. Beyond the initial washed potato line, the company plans to self-finance subsequent expansion phases, including the production of potato mass for draniki (potato pancakes) in 2027 and vacuum-sealed vegetables in 2028, without requiring additional investment rounds.
