Human Maple

Short description

Human Maple is the first company in Italy to have developed an integrated supply chain for managing cigarette butts as plastic waste and industrial cellulose acetate scraps. In Italy, over 60% of this waste ends up in the environment, generating significant costs and impacts on ecosystems and local governments. The company offers a proprietary, scalable model that addresses the entire waste cycle: territorial analysis, tracked collection, logistics, and industrial processing. Through the Riciccami project and a cellulose acetate recovery technology, Human Maple converts cigarette butts into certified secondary raw material, reusable in sectors such as fashion and construction. The competitive advantage lies in the end-to-end, data-driven, and patentable approach, which combines operational management and industrial valorization, going beyond traditional solutions limited to collection. Customers gain tangible benefits: reduced management costs, improved ESG performance, and measurable tools for reporting. The vision is to transform a global waste stream into a strategic resource, enabling a new large-scale circular industrial supply chain.

Business & Revenue Model

• Target: large enterprises, SMEs, multi-utility companies, and public administrations in Italy and Europe
• Need: data-driven management of cellulose acetate cigarette butts and waste
• Value offered: cost reduction, improved urban aesthetics, and measurable ESG KPIs
• Model: Recycling-as-a-Service (RaaS) with recurring revenue
• Contracts: annual/multi-year with an average contract value of €2,850 and ~90% renewal rate
• Growth: upselling, cross-selling, and sale of secondary raw materials
• Margins & scalability: integrated supply chain, modular and replicable model
• Go-to-market: direct B2B/B2G sales and scalable pilot projects

Traction

• Revenue for the last 12 months: €374K
• Growth: +140% compared to 2024
• Active customer base: 130 customers
• Retention rate: approximately 90%
• Churn rate: around 10%
• Stability of business relationships: solid
• CAC (Customer Acquisition Cost): around €800
• Strategic partnerships: Tomaki (sports segment), Leganet (access to the Sustainable Municipalities network), Omnisyst (waste management service provider), Hera S.p.A. (collaboration with local authorities and municipalities)
• Sales pipeline: Poste Italiane, Autogrill, KPMG, Aeroporti di Roma, Costa Cruises
• 2026 revenue target: €1M
• Support: strengthening operational and sales capabilities

Roadmap and Development Plan

Technological development (2026-2028)

• Consolidation of the existing plant
• Launch of an industrial line for the processing of cellulose acetate
• Recycling of production waste from major Italian companies
• Short-term manufacturing

Operational scalability

• Partnership with the Erion Care Consortium
• Partnership with multi-utility companies
• Partnership with waste management operators
• Service expansion and increased volumes

Geographic expansion

• German market
• Spanish market

Economic objectives

• 2025: €315,800 in revenue
• 2026: €1 million in revenue
• 2027: over €2 million
• 2028: over €4.7 million
• Increasing contribution from manufacturing

Validations in progress

• ISO 9001 Certification
• ISO 14001 Certification
• ISO 14040-44 (LCA) Certification

Milestones unlocked in this round:

• Industrial Investments
• Business Expansion
• International Expansion

Funding need & use of funds

Fundraising target: €3.5 million

Closing timeline: Target within 12 months

Use of funds:

• Plant Industrialization: Scaling Up Production Capacity
• Team Expansion: Hiring New Qualified Staff

Team & Cap Table

Cap table:

Team:

Human Maple is led by a multidisciplinary team with complementary expertise in environmental engineering, technology, operations, and business development, gained in both corporate and startup settings.

• Ali Benkouhail – CEO & Co-Founder. Background in environmental engineering, with experience at Tetra Pak. Leads strategy, innovation, and relationships with strategic clients.
• Marco Boccia – CEO & Co-Founder. Background in computer engineering, with experience at Magni Telescopic Handlers. Oversees operations, technology, and fundraising.
• Carlo Della Cioppa – COO. Formerly of Enel. Senior executive with experience in multinational environments and digital transformation projects.
• Francesco Schipa – Chief Marketing & Commercial Officer. Over 10 years of experience in enterprise sales.

The team is complemented by a sales and operations team dedicated to customer development, delivery, and management of recurring contracts—a key element in ensuring scalability and revenue continuity.

Social/environmental issue and impact

Problem: Cigarette butts are one of the world’s leading sources of plastic and chemical pollution, with over 4.5 trillion filters discarded each year. In Italy, approximately 26,000 tons of cigarette butts are produced annually, in addition to large quantities of cellulose acetate industrial waste generated by major players in the industry.

Impact:

• Collection, tracking, and recycling of cigarette butts into secondary raw materials
• Reduction of littering, CO₂ emissions, and the use of virgin raw materials
• Certified data for ESG reporting, EPR compliance, and certified LCA
• Processes compliant with ISO standards
• Engagement and training to drive behavioral change
• Tangible benefits for businesses, public administrations, and local communities
• Contribution to SDGs 12, 14, and 15
• Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

Financial Structure (equity, debt, grant)

Equity:

• Approximately €450,000 raised through equity instruments and SAFEs, including €250,000 from LaGemma Venture

Debt:

• None

Grants and Awards:

• Emil Banca Award
• America Innovation Award
• Confindustria Cuneo Sustainability Award
• Hera Circular Economy Project Award
• Fundable Startup Competition Winners Award
• Baite Awards Winners Award