Establish a Supply Chain

The greatest invention cannot change the world if it does not get of the inventor's workbench and into the market. KickStart builds a supply chain from the existing private sector to create a permanent and sustainable way to make and distribute our products.

High Volume, Centralized Manufacturing

Early attempts to bring "appropriate technology" to the world's poor failed. Mainly they failed because they thought their inventions could be made by local artisans spread across the countryside. The idea was that this would create jobs and provide valuable technology. The idea is appealing, but is fundamentally flawed.

KickStart's tools are made in large quantities in centralized factories—just like cell phones, computers, and cars. We contract with the most advanced factories we can find and even develop the jigs and fixtures needed for mass manufacturing.

From Factory to Retailer Shop

KickStart buys the finished tools back from the factory and recruits existing local wholesalers, distributors and retail shops. Most of our retailers are small agricultural-veterinary shops that sell seeds, fertilizer and other farm inputs. We have shops in every major city, town, and village. These are local business people, motivated by profit. They are already part of the community and know the local customers.

Private Sector vs. Giveaway

Why not just give them away? In a word--sustainability. More importantly, a profitable supply chain is self sustaining. As long as there is demand, the factory, the wholesalers and retailers will have an interest in ensuring our tools stay available.

It also means that we have a permanent network for replacement parts. Our tools are machines with moving parts and all moving parts wear out eventually. These parts can be changed easily by hand and without any tools. With our supply chain, a farmer can go back to her local retailer and for a few dollars buy a new set of piston cups to keep her pump working for another few years. Once the supply chain is in place, the real work begins--building awareness and demand.