About This Project
Hello, my name is Nicholas Rathbone, I am 29 years of age, and I am the founder of Bushman's Bounty, a biltong production venture located in the beautiful Garden Route region of South Africa.
The Background
With a background in metallurgy, I transitioned into the food industry after sustaining a back injury. This pivotal moment made me realize that time was of the essence; if I don't take action now, I risk missing the opportunity to pursue my ambitious goals to create a fulfilling future.
I started producing biltong at home and sold it to my colleagues and after some success and great feedback I decided to throw all I have into Bushman's Bounty. I cashed out my savings, which wasn't much, about 50k, and bought all the machines to increase production (bandsaw, meat slicer, packaging etc.) It was a risky move, but business is picking up.
Unfortunately, though it had a low startup cost, this type of business will only generate descent profits margins with a large distribution network. And to distribute effectively I will need a certificate of acceptance to sell food products to the public. Which is why I am launching this campaign.
I am asking assistance for:
I am seeking R20,000 funding to establish a production room that will enable me to obtain the Certificate of Acceptability, which is crucial for scaling my operations and meeting health regulations. This will allow me to construct an insulated room on my property where I can produce and package my biltong.
This will be the starting point for my operation from where I can scale my business to the point of acquiring a bigger production plant and opening multiple franchise stores. Ultimately my goal is to provide biltong both locally in my area as well as nationwide and possibly globally.
Market Opportunity
Biltong is not just a beloved South African snack; it has gained international popularity due to its high protein content and preservative-free nature. The global market for healthy snacks is expanding rapidly, and biltong is poised to capture a significant share.
In the U.S., brands like Stryve have seen sales grow by 500% as consumers seek healthier alternatives to traditional snacks. With increasing demand for high-protein, low-sugar options, my business is well-positioned to thrive even though the market is saturated with biltong makers.
Business Model
My business model focuses on producing authentic, high-quality biltong using locally sourced ingredients. The production process involves marinating meat in a blend of vinegar and spices before air-drying it to perfection. This method not only preserves the meat but also enhances its flavor without adding sugars or preservatives.
By creating a strong brand identity that emphasizes quality and authenticity, I aim to attract both local customers and tourists visiting the Garden Route. Additionally, I promote my business and grow interest on social media by creating content such as fun facts about biltong and biltong recipes.
Funding Utilization
The R20,000 funding will be used specifically for:
- Setting up a dedicated production room: This space will allow for efficient production while complying with health regulations.
- Obtaining necessary certifications: The Certificate of Acceptability will enable me to legally sell my product and expand into retail markets.
Vision for Growth
In five years, I envision Bushman's Bounty as a leading biltong brand in South Africa, with plans to expand into international markets. My goal is to establish partnerships with local retailers and participating in food festivals to increase brand awareness. Additionally, I plan on exploring online sales channels to reach a broader audience.
In the long term, I aspire for Bushman's Bounty to enable me to start another business focused on producing sustainable and recycled building materials, primarily for domestic construction and rental housing development. I have already developed five concepts for building blocks, boundary walls, retaining walls, and floor slabs. These products will require substantial funding to advance through the material development stage, which involves rigorous testing before they can be SANS approved and released to the market. However, I am confident that these building materials will significantly impact the reduction of plastic pollution, as demonstrated by successful initiatives in various countries around the world.
Ultimately, after establishing this company, I would like to further develop a vertical farming building concept that I have been working on. The goal is to construct vertical farming facilities on over-farmed land with poor soil conditions, using profits from the property development and building material businesses. This initiative aims to restore and rehabilitate biodiversity in the surrounding areas, equal in size to the amount of land that would have been required for traditional crop cultivation.
The Impact
Investing in Bushman's Bounty is not just about funding; it’s about supporting a growing market for healthy snacks while promoting South African culture through our traditional biltong and ultimately supporting an ambitious young individual to reach monumental lifelong goals that will make a massive positive impact on South African biodiversity and possibly the world!
Together, we can make this venture successful and bring the taste of authentic biltong to more consumers. Thank you for considering this opportunity.
Your Rewards
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Pledge R50 = Reward #1! Share My Page
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- Share My Page so that I can gain more exposure
- Be eligible to claim a 10% discount on your first order at Bushman's Bounty.
- When referring my page on Facebook or sharing my fundraiser campaign you will be eligible for a 10% discount on your first order.
- Also, for any orders received from your referrals, you and your friend will be eligible for a 10% discount on your next order.
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Pledge R200 = Reward #2! Donate to Help Me Reach My Goal
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- Donate for a 10% discount and free shipping!
- When donating between R200 and R1000, you are eligible to claim a 10% discount on your next order that will be shipped to you for free!
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Pledge R1,000 = Reward #3! Large Donations
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- Donate a large amount to get a free biltong or droëwors parcel of 500g.
- Claim a 10% discount on your next 3 orders, including free shipping!
Other Ways You Can Help
If you can't contribute, it doesn't mean you can't help:
Please ask folks to get the word out and make some noise about my campaign.
Thanks for your interest and any help provided; I appreciate it more than you can imagine.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me on through my Bushman's Bounty Page on Facebook.
Best regards and countless blessings
Nicholas Rathbone
Project FAQ
Who am I?
- Nicholas Edgar Rathbone. I am a kindhearted individual who enjoys helping others and make improvements wherever I can. I am an artistic and creative person with great analytical and creative problem-solving skills.
- I favor roles in design and love to broaden my knowledge in all fields applicable to my journey.
- With a background in metallurgy, I transitioned into the food industry after sustaining a back injury. This pivotal moment made me realize that time was of the essence; if he didn’t take action now, he risked missing the opportunity to pursue his ambitious goals and create a fulfilling future.
- What began as a hobby—producing biltong for friends and colleagues—quickly evolved into a full-fledged business. Driven by positive feedback and a desire for independence, I invested his savings in state-of-the-art equipment to enhance production. My journey is not just about creating delicious biltong; it’s about building a brand that reflects quality, authenticity, and South African culture.
- I dream of establishing Bushman's Bounty as a leading biltong brand not only in South Africa but also on the international stage. I envisions expanding my distribution network through partnerships with local retailers and participation in food festivals while exploring online sales channels to reach a broader audience.
- Beyond his immediate goals, I aspire to leverage the success of Bushman's Bounty to launch another venture focused on producing sustainable and recycled building materials. I have developed innovative concepts for eco-friendly construction solutions that aim to combat plastic pollution and promote environmental stewardship.
- Ultimately, I dream of creating vertical farming facilities on over-farmed land, using profits from his ventures to restore biodiversity and rehabilitate ecosystems. My vision is to create a lasting impact on both the local community and the environment, demonstrating that entrepreneurship can be a powerful force for positive change.
- With an unwavering commitment to his goals and an entrepreneurial spirit that inspires those around him, I, Nicholas Rathbone is dedicated to making a meaningful difference through his work—one delicious bite of biltong at a time.
- My hobbies include permaculture, hiking, charity, music, art, design, conservation, architectural and landscape design and finding solutions to problems in a range of fields.
Where are we based?
- Bushman's Bounty is currently based in a small suburb called Kleinkrantz in Wilderness, Western Cape, South Africa.
Why Crowdfunding?
- I have depleted my savings to acquire all the necessary equipment to produce my products. I still need to build a production room to fully comply with regulations.
What is the plan once 100% funding is received?
- Once 100% of the funding is raised I will use the funds to construct a small production plant on my property that will fully comply with regulations.
- I will also use the funds to obtain my certificate of acceptance after meeting regulation requirements.
- This will enable me to distribute my products to retailers and through online channels.