COOKO Ltd., registered in Limbe, Cameroon in August 2021, is on a mission to revolutionize the cocoa industry through a multi-faceted approach that integrates technology, community engagement, and infrastructure development. We offer embedded geolocation data and innovative economic and supply chain models that enhance both farmer income and cocoa quality. At our core, we are a tech company with a groundbreaking idea that benefits artisanal farmers, the environment, agriculture, supply chains, value chains, and gender equality. Our Mission:   To connect and scale artisanal cocoa harvesting with industrial efficiency - while maintaining sustainability services. To link millions of small farmers directly with billions of consumers.   Our Vision:   Make COOKO´s patented approach “Source Fermented Cacao®” the industry benchmark for traceability, quality and sustainability   At the heart of COOKO's innovation is an IoT-enabled harvesting and fermentation container designed to integrate seamlessly with the entire cocoa supply chain. This container serves as the hardware component of a system that harmonizes with a cloud-based infrastructure for data sharing. A key feature of the container is a sensor-equipped closure that detects when the container is sealed, generating geospatial positioning data. This data is crucial for tracking the container's journey from sealing to opening, as well as for monitoring the temperature during seed fermentation. This meticulous tracking is central to our commitment to flavor development and quality enhancement in cocoa. COOKO's process begins at the pod-breaking stage, where farmers use our IoT-enabled containers for precision harvesting. The airtight sealing of cocoa beans immediately after harvesting is a critical step that extends storage duration (up to 20 days, with a recommended range of 6-9 days) and allows for flexibility in transport logistics. This sealed environment initiates anaerobic fermentation, a process that significantly improves flavor and quality. Our container, branded and patented as Source Fermented Cocoa®, plays a vital role in this process. By controlling fermentation within these containers, we eliminate common quality issues found in uncontrolled fermentation and drying processes, such as contamination, insect infestation, uneven fermentation, slaty beans, and mold. The result is high-quality cocoa that preserves the integrity of the farmer's original produce. Once the containers are filled, COOKO manages the logistics, confirming receipt of the cocoa, distributing empty containers back to farmers, and issuing payments. The filled containers are then transported to our centralized fermentation and drying facility in Ntui, Cameroon. COOKO hubs are more than just processing centers; they are strategically designed to facilitate efficient post-harvest operations. We use swim lanes to ensure batch segregation and identity preservation throughout the fermentation and drying process. Wooden tumblers optimize the fermentation process, reducing time, labor, and resources compared to traditional methods, and shortening the overall processing timeline. Scaling in Africa requires overcoming logistics and training challenges. By centralizing the fermentation process, COOKO can reach farmers within a six-day radius, compensating for poor infrastructure. This centralized decision-making system enhances monitoring and efficiency. A cornerstone of COOKO's methodology is the digital monitoring and verification of critical handover points throughout the supply chain. Importantly, the data required by the process is automatically collected, avoiding additional reporting burdens for farmers. This robust data layer enables real-time analysis and monitoring, seamlessly integrating into our operations. This digital transparency ensures quality control and supports informed decision-making at every stage, improving overall operational efficiency. Our project is creating complete traceability, enhancing cocoa quality, and providing fairer compensation for cocoa farmers in Cameroon and West Africa. Source Fermented Cocoa® is the world’s first hybrid artisanal crop. By linking physical cacao with digital data, COOKO enhances the foundational layer of the first mile value chain. For cocoa farmers, this means life-changing improvements in working conditions, a shift of post-harvest processes off their shoulders, and a 30% increase in income per hectare through improved farm yields. Farmers will indeed be dancing a new tune. For cacao processors and traders, COOKO offers quality assurance through our purpose-built IoT containers, scalability through our proprietary process, and traceability with IoT sensors that provide automated tracking from the point of harvest. This ensures compliance with evolving deforestation regulations, CO2 emissions standards, and fair labor practices. COOKO’s solution combines existing technologies in novel ways, requiring a comprehensive and adaptive approach that encompasses robust engineering, user-centric design, and seamless integration. Initially, we are focused on sourcing high-quality, deforestation-free organic cacao while simultaneously improving conditions at the farm level, providing compliance data, ensuring identity preservation, and offering fair payments to farmers. Our methodology involves purchasing and processing fresh cacao using the patented source-fermented methodology. Data is captured to maintain a chain of custody and monitor batch quality. COOKO’s technology assigns a unique and traceable ID at the bag level, enhancing traceability while also providing feedback on farming practices and quality control. In summary, COOKO offers a systemic solution that reshapes the first mile of the cocoa supply chain to improve farm-level conditions, deliver consistent cocoa quality, and ensure compliance with EU regulations. Our platform leverages technology to bring West African farmers and traders into the digital age

The global cocoa market has reached record highs, with 2023 revenue estimates nearing €13 billion. In 2024 alone, cocoa prices surged by 129%, driven by a significant supply deficit—the largest in over 60 years. Cocoa production in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana has declined by 467,000 and 448,000 tons respectively over the past three seasons, exacerbating the shortfall. Consumers may begin to feel the impact of this shortage by late 2024 or early 2025. While cocoa prices have risen sharply, the benefits have not trickled down to farmers, who continue to face poverty. The inequitable system leaves them with difficult choices that harm both their communities and the environment. COOKO alleviates this burden by taking over the fermentation and drying processes, allowing farmers to focus on harvesting. By selling directly to COOKO and eliminating middlemen, farmers receive higher prices for their beans. Concurrently, the major cocoa markets - Europe and the United States - have struggled with quality issues, including contamination and inconsistency, which often exceed permitted limits. These challenges have contributed to rising cocoa prices and highlighted the need for systemic change. In 2024, the new European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and due diligence requirements will come into effect. These regulations aim to ensure that cocoa trading does not contribute to deforestation, forest degradation, or violate EU environmental and social policies. COOKO's technology offers a solution by enabling traceability of cocoa back to individual farmers, ensuring compliance with these new standards. Manufacturers are increasingly seeking hassle-free, high-quality cocoa that is scalable, consistent, and competitively priced. They also require comprehensive supply chain insights and an EU compliance solution covering provenance, deforestation, labor practices, and more. In summary, COOKO addresses key industry challenges, including robust traceability, supply chain management, regulatory compliance, and maintaining cocoa quality. As the EU Deforestation Regulation comes into force, the real-world challenges for companies in the value chain are becoming clear. Vague definitions and unclear responsibilities are turning into financial risks, making COOKO’s solutions more crucial than ever.

Revenue and Progress: COOKO has generated revenue by selling cocoa from its R&D facility, primarily to recover research costs. While the core data and technology solution is still pre-commercial, COOKO has earned consulting revenues by reimagining first-mile supply chain challenges. Notably, COOKO secured a CFA 45 million tender (funded by IDH and selected by ONCC - Cameroon) to design a national cocoa traceability system and a €40,000 tender in 2024 to provide EUDR readiness training to Belgian value chain participants. Market Valuation: COOKO is positioned at the intersection of traceability and AgTech, with an estimated annual market value exceeding $80 billion. While the initial focus is on the €11 billion cocoa market, COOKO's adaptable model can also extend to coffee ($20 billion annually) and other artisanal crops. The long-term value of the unique, highly valuable commodity flow data COOKO captures is still being determined. Revenue Streams: COOKO has developed three primary revenue streams: 1) Owned & Operated: COOKO constructs and operates post-harvest facilities, buying, processing, and selling cocoa on the open market. 2) Consulting: COOKO provides consulting services to traders, manufacturers, and retailers, helping them improve supply chain efficiencies, resolve cocoa quality issues, and develop innovative solutions. 3) Franchising: COOKO licenses its technology and methodology to operators, enhancing operational efficiency, cocoa quality, and data capture in the early value chain. COOKO installs and oversees operations, provides maintenance services and data analytics, and takes a percentage of the cocoa's processed price using its patented methods and technology. Scaling Challenges: Sustainably scaling COOKO requires significant upfront investment, especially in IoT technology. However, COOKO's solutions are tailored to the African context, addressing challenges like unreliable cell coverage, internet connectivity, and substandard power grids in cocoa-producing regions, positioning COOKO for success. Key Clients: COOKO is in discussions with major manufacturers (Nestlé, Mars, Mondelez, Ritter, Ferrero, Lindt/Sprungli), retailers (Rewe, Edeka, Carrefour, Albert Heijn, Aldi, Auchan, Migros), and traders/importers (Barry Callebaut, Cargill, Olam, Ecom, Sucden) who seek secure and reliable traceability data. Impact Summary: COOKO provides significant benefits to three main customer groups: 1) Farmers and Cooperatives: Improved cash flow and increased yields. 2) Traders: Consistent cocoa quality at reduced costs. 3) Manufacturers: Simplified data regimes for certification and due diligence. Note: A comprehensive business plan and bottom-up plan are available for further exploration.

Source Fermented Cocoa®: Transforming the Cocoa Supply Chain Source Fermented Cocoa® is the world’s first hybrid artisanal crop, integrating physical cacao with digital data to enhance the base layer of the first mile value chain. COOKO's system revolutionizes working conditions for cacao farmers by shifting laborious post-harvest processes off the farm. Innovative IoT-Enabled Container: At the core of COOKO's innovation is an IoT-enabled harvesting container, designed to integrate seamlessly with the cocoa supply chain. This container is the hardware backbone of a cloud-based infrastructure for data sharing. Equipped with sensor technology, the container records GPS data when sealed, ensuring precise tracking from harvest to processing. Low capital scaling in African conditions: COOKO is designed specifically for the challenging conditions found in Africa, where low or no data coverage is common. By focusing on community engagement and leveraging a simple, IoT-enabled harvesting container, COOKO can efficiently scale within these environments. The container's ability to extend cocoa reception time by up to 9 days significantly enhances the reach and flexibility of COOKO's infrastructure, allowing for greater scalability across remote regions. This approach not only minimizes capital investment but also ensures that the solution is practical and effective in the context of African agricultural realities. Challenges and Comprehensive Testing: COOKO’s solution uniquely combines existing technologies, optimized for challenging conditions like high temperatures, dust, unreliable telecommunications, and limited energy access. This required a user-centric design and robust engineering to ensure seamless integration. Comprehensive testing has been conducted across Africa and South America, with user acceptance trials starting in May 2021 in remote areas of Cameroon. COOKO established a dedicated fermentation center in Cameroon for ongoing R&D, performing trials under controlled settings to optimize post-harvest processing, container design, and storage conditions. Hypotheses regarding yield increase, quality, and traceability were confirmed through these trials. Breakthrough Potential and Market Timing: COOKO’s solution has breakthrough potential, offering granular, process-embedded tracking of cacao and qualitative attributes. This could reengineer the entire value chain by unbundling cacao and rebundling it based on regenerative status, flavor profile, farm ownership, and more. This added visibility can fundamentally shift incentive structures, rewarding artisanal farmers for positive practices and value-adding activities. Market Timing and Industry Shifts: The timing is ideal as the cacao market is undergoing significant reorganization due to climate change, which is shifting traditional growing areas southward. Additionally, the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) now mandates traceability to the farm gate, requiring detailed compliance documentation. The unprecedented cocoa price volatility in 2024 signals the need for such a transformative solution.