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In two months barely $70K was raised and you will need millions to get this startup of the ground 3) Do you have any indications that raising VC funds will be much easier for you than crowdfunding of this startup? 4) What happened with Scribit? - Did you have any investors and what was their ROI?","author_name":"Vilem Fruhbauer","votes":2,"created_at":"2022-02-14T02:49:14Z","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/smartbin-io#question-192210","answers":[{"id":192214,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:192214","answer":"Hello Vilem, Thank you for your investment. 1) These revenues come from paid pilots over the last 12 months. 2) Yes, we have enough capital to create a prototype. As discussed below, we will be raising $3-5M in seed funding later this year to take our prototype commercial. 3) We are speaking to several pre-seed firms who don't mind contributing to this round via the WeFunder platform. 4) Scribit is still a healthy functioning company today with having shipped more than 12,000 robots globally. Andrea continues to be on the board of directors there.","author_name":"Hamoun Karami","votes":1,"created_at":"2022-02-14T09:18:10Z"}]},{"id":184663,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:184663","question":"Hello, I agree with everything you said in your update. My question is about the automated arm sorter. Do you plan to buy a system that's already available or develop your own? If you plan to build or modify one, what advantage will yours have that the current ones don't. Also, it seems that current sorting systems will greatly reduce the number of employees needed but not completely eliminate the need for them.","author_name":"John Pereira","votes":2,"created_at":"2021-12-21T15:16:02Z","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/smartbin-io#question-184663","answers":[{"id":185256,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:185256","answer":"Hello John, Thanks for the comment and we are happy that you agree with our plan. In regards to the robotic sorting machine, there is already existing solutions that have worked great at scale in MRF's (material recovery facilities). We plan to use existing robotic sorting machines initially as we sell our solution to customers. We have already begun talking to Everest Labs, a US company that provides a great solution for the computer vision library and we plan to combine that with existing hardware that can be designed online and bought from several providers. Happy Holidays and if you haven't already - would love to see you on the list of backers on this round!","author_name":"Hamoun Karami","votes":2,"created_at":"2021-12-27T06:49:02Z"}]},{"id":201017,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:201017","question":"When do you plan to close this round?","author_name":"Umair Shams","votes":1,"created_at":"2022-04-14T02:33:28Z","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/smartbin-io#question-201017","answers":[{"id":201953,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:201953","answer":"Hello Umair, the round is set to close at the end of this month. Are you interested in participating on the round? We are happy to have a call with you if needed. Thank you!","author_name":"Hamoun Karami","votes":1,"created_at":"2022-04-20T19:42:17Z"}]},{"id":192198,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:192198","question":"Do you plan to market this to the average person for their house or residential unit?","author_name":"Lucas Lee","votes":1,"created_at":"2022-02-13T20:04:04Z","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/smartbin-io#question-192198","answers":[{"id":192213,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:192213","answer":"Hello Lucas, At this time we are focusing on commercial buildings in North America. We have our eyes on the residential market (condominiums, multi-family etc) but will only venture into that vertical once we have grown our commercial business globally.","author_name":"Hamoun Karami","votes":1,"created_at":"2022-02-14T09:14:13Z"}]},{"id":191261,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:191261","question":"Hello, no EB terms?","author_name":"Kim San LEE","votes":1,"created_at":"2022-02-05T05:58:24Z","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/smartbin-io#question-191261","answers":[{"id":191502,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:191502","answer":"Hello Kim San LEE, We are not offering early bird terms for this raise - as the whole premise of our fundraise on WeFunder is for getting in early. We plan to develop this prototype within the next 6-8 months and raise an additional $3-5M through venture capital for our seed round. This round will be an equity round and will convert your investment into equity upon signing. Would love to see a strong commitment from you to help us get there. If you need additional info, please email me ham@smartbin.io Thank you!","author_name":"Hamoun Karami","votes":1,"created_at":"2022-02-08T06:01:03Z"}]},{"id":187363,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:187363","question":"What is the exit strategy and can you be a unicorn?","author_name":"Umair Shams","votes":1,"created_at":"2022-01-09T05:02:08Z","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/smartbin-io#question-187363","answers":[{"id":187539,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:187539","answer":"Hello Umair, We are a group of young experienced founders who plan to take our business to the end. If an opportunity comes to exit to a large janitorial services company or waste management company we will consider. For now, our plan is to go IPO.","author_name":"Hamoun Karami","votes":2,"created_at":"2022-01-10T09:52:09Z"}]},{"id":187362,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:187362","question":"Do you have revenue projections for the next 3-5 years?","author_name":"Umair Shams","votes":1,"created_at":"2022-01-09T05:01:54Z","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/smartbin-io#question-187362","answers":[{"id":187540,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:187540","answer":"After successfully completing our robot, we conservatively expect 750K in revenues and $550K in ARR within 24 months.","author_name":"Hamoun Karami","votes":2,"created_at":"2022-01-10T09:53:17Z"}]},{"id":186726,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:186726","question":"This is an interesting idea. I am not completely sold on the bin yet. So much is already spent on current bins. That's gonna be a huge hurdle to compete against. For scale, I think a smart sensor is your best option but the monthly cost is quite high. $10/m per bin is quite expensive to just track waste. How do you charge the smart sensor? How long does it last? Can it detach from the mounting service to be swapped with a charged unit? Are there any sensors regarding smell/odor/fire detection? Getting insurance discounts may be another vertical if you can get a large commercial insurance provider to push the product for you. Will it be waterproof and therefore washable? If you automate the pickup process...may need the ability to gauge foul smells. Perhaps there are competitors in this space, I don't know. The commercial aspect of the bins and a matching robot could work but you really can't make an estimate of cost savings until you actually develop a working model. I do have concerns regarding leaking fluids and wheels (look into sharkwheel for a better, more versatile wheel option). I could absolutely see this at the airports. Any concerns about unions pushing back on this. How do you plan to market this and get sales? Large janitorial companies with a revenue share? Who exactly do you see as your customer base? Would this be indoor only? Will it have the ability to go outside? How do you address those who use large trash compactors in-house?","author_name":"David Denknaus","votes":1,"created_at":"2022-01-06T20:15:17Z","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/smartbin-io#question-186726","answers":[{"id":187541,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:187541","answer":"Hello David, A lot of great questions here. I will do my best to cover most of them. 1. In regards to bins price, our sensor tech is only a $50 COGS add-on. It is actually a very easy conversation to have with companies looking to purchase bins to go with a smart bin! 2. The value proposition of the smart bin alone is that it helps avoid over-flowing bins, increases staff efficiency and delivers much needed data to sustainability teams. $5 per bin/month is for the TRIO bin that we offer, for a single bin it is $2 per month which includes access to our analytics platform. Usually these customers manage 500-2000 bins at the sites we target. 3. We do also provide a retro-fit solution for customers that are not ready to purchase new bins yet. We are leading the way in indoor retrofit sensors for waste bins and it is called Lidbot. It is currently being tested by JPMC \u0026amp; Hines in downtown NY at their HQ. The sensors last 18-24 months depending on the sensing frequency and use store bought AA batteries that are very easily rechargeable/swappable. 4. All our hardware is IP rated to withstand conditions in the environments we deploy and are adequately tested prior to integration. 5. Regards to Unions, we have had great conversations with large leading janitorial services companies (ABM) who only see this as being a way forward and a better way for them to provide value for their customers. 6. Each bin is collected at least once a day to meet health guidelines for the building regardless of its fill level at the end of the day. If it has not been collected that day, it will be included on the list. 7. Our go to market strategy is to work with the clients that are already using our technology. We plan to conduct pilots of the robots with HINES, ABM and Google. 8. Our solution today is being built only for the indoor environment and we have plans to look into the outdoor market when we are ready. I hope that answers most of your questions, if any more please send them away! Hope to see you on our list of backers.","author_name":"Hamoun Karami","votes":1,"created_at":"2022-01-10T10:02:27Z"}]},{"id":185323,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:185323","question":"Hi Hamoun, Three questions: 1) Where are we with the patent (latest update) ? 2) as at now do you have a proven and complete product or are you still in the testing stage? 3) I saw where there are other competitors within the space which means your patent wont prevent competitors, what will make you unique (other from cost) and how will this fund helps you to scale?","author_name":"Romech McIntosh","votes":1,"created_at":"2021-12-28T00:51:10Z","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/smartbin-io#question-185323","answers":[{"id":185937,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:185937","answer":"Hello Romech, Thank you for the questions. 1. We filled a provisional patent last year in April. The documents can be found at the bottom of our pitch. We will be using some of the funds raised here to pursue a full patent application in the US \u0026amp; Canada. Prior to filling a provisional, we completed a patent search and are happy to report that no patents were filled within our invention. 2. We are currently beginning shipping our smart bins this year. The design, technology and software are all completed and we spent much of 2021 doing pilots with several companies. We expect to begin ramping up our sales with this product in Q1 2022. 3. We do have competitors in the smart bin space, but we have not identified any companies in the US \u0026amp; Canada who are building the robotics side of the business. We believe we are in a unique position to offer this solution because we own the design of the smart bins. Building a robot that can collect \"any\" waste/recycling bin poses huge design/mechanical challenges and any competition would require to also develop smart bins. Our team includes a veteran robotics CTO and an internationally recognized designer. I myself have extensive experience in the waste/recycling industry and am very connected to some big names in the space (GFL, WM, Suez). We believe team is everything, and we have the three most important roles covered to build a winning business that will dominate in the long term. Happy to explain further if you have any questions!","author_name":"Hamoun Karami","votes":1,"created_at":"2022-01-03T11:03:04Z"}]},{"id":320108,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:320108","question":"How is the company doing? What's the 2026 plan? Is there an investor channel that I can join?","author_name":"Tony Shouse","votes":0,"created_at":"2025-11-23T15:56:03Z","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/smartbin-io#question-320108","answers":[]}],"faq":[{"question":"Hello, I agree with everything you said in your update. My question is about the automated arm sorter. Do you plan to buy a system that's already available or develop your own? If you plan to build or modify one, what advantage will yours have that the current ones don't. Also...","answer":"Hello John, Thanks for the comment and we are happy that you agree with our plan. In regards to the robotic sorting machine, there is already existing solutions that have worked great at scale in MRF's (material recovery facilities). We plan to use existing robotic sorting machines initially as we sell our solution to customers. We have already begun talking to Everest Labs, a US company that provides a great solution for the computer vision library and we plan to combine that with existing h..."},{"question":"Hi Hamoun, Three questions: 1) Where are we with the patent (latest update) ? 2) as at now do you have a proven and complete product or are you still in the testing stage? 3) I saw where there are other competitors within the space which means your patent wont prevent competit...","answer":"Hello Romech, Thank you for the questions. 1. We filled a provisional patent last year in April. The documents can be found at the bottom of our pitch. We will be using some of the funds raised here to pursue a full patent application in the US \u0026amp; Canada. Prior to filling a provisional, we completed a patent search and are happy to report that no patents were filled within our invention. 2. We are currently beginning shipping our smart bins this year. The design, technology and software ar..."},{"question":"This is an interesting idea. I am not completely sold on the bin yet. So much is already spent on current bins. That's gonna be a huge hurdle to compete against. For scale, I think a smart sensor is your best option but the monthly cost is quite high. $10/m per bin is quite ex...","answer":"Hello David, A lot of great questions here. I will do my best to cover most of them. 1. In regards to bins price, our sensor tech is only a $50 COGS add-on. It is actually a very easy conversation to have with companies looking to purchase bins to go with a smart bin! 2. The value proposition of the smart bin alone is that it helps avoid over-flowing bins, increases staff efficiency and delivers much needed data to sustainability teams. $5 per bin/month is for the TRIO bin that we offer, for ..."},{"question":"Do you have revenue projections for the next 3-5 years?","answer":"After successfully completing our robot, we conservatively expect 750K in revenues and $550K in ARR within 24 months."},{"question":"What is the exit strategy and can you be a unicorn?","answer":"Hello Umair, We are a group of young experienced founders who plan to take our business to the end. If an opportunity comes to exit to a large janitorial services company or waste management company we will consider. For now, our plan is to go IPO."}]}}}