neuterra

$5,465

pledged of$15,000 goal

12Days Left

Fund it

Campaign Ends on October 2, 2023

Project Description

We'll update this page for our next Q & A session. Stay tuned!

People + Planet. In that order.

neuterra is Black-owned, women-owned, and Muslim-owned ethical online marketplace. From the first kilometer to the last mile, we provide the traceability story for each product sold. We connect bold + smart indie brands (read: independent, purpose driven, and design conscious) who have transparent supply chains with consumers that care about the truth. We empower consumers to make data-driven buying decisions every time they shop.

Every purchase has a story. We tell that story.

Would you buy a product if the label read, "Made with Forced Labor", or how about, "Waste From This Product Contaminates Town's Main Water Source"? Of course not. And yet, many of the products we buy today have those very human rights violations hidden along their supply chains. We are on a mission to bring transparency to consumer goods products. Our first target - the fashion sector.

At neuterra, we understand that every purchase has a story to tell. We know these stories have very real impacts on people around the world and the communities in which they live. We enable brands to share these narratives for today's most conscientious consumers.

Caste Discrimination + Racism = Climate Crises

"Every single child laborer that I have documented belongs to a low-caste or minority community." - Siddharth Kara, The Harvard Center for Human Rights Policy

It's no coincidence that opaque supply chains hide untold stories of child and slave labor, human rights violations, and environmental degradation.¹

"If you are not considered human, human rights do not apply to you." - Moni Rani Das, Dalit woman activist

The exploitation of people of the Global Majority is the reason we're now facing a climate crises. Nearly 81% of all human trafficking cases is a result of forced labor.² Slave labor is the reason we have cheap clothing options (read: H&M, Shein, Fashion Nova). Yep.

60% of global greenhouse gasses come from consumer goods products' supply chains.³ Fashion alone contributes to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions.⁴ Nearly 50% of sustainability claims are exaggerated or false and 74% of consumers don't know how to identify sustainable products.⁵ (Psst...that's because many sustainability claims aren't backed by meaningful data. We want to change that.)

"Nature destruction and women oppression are connected." - Emilie Hache, Ecofeminist

Our Solution.

Supply chain transparency is the only real marker of environmental sustainability and ethical practices. So, here's our solution:

We provide an online marketplace of curated brands with high supply chain visibility.
We decode the ecological and social impacts of our products' supply chains.
Our digital assistant enables people to shop their values with every single purchase.
We compare our brands to a fast fashion baseline to provide the true monetary cost of products - a cost that includes both the ecological and social impacts that accompany the production and use of a particular product.

A note from the founder.

I began this journey because I wanted to solve a problem. I still want to solve a problem. I believe supply chain transparency is the first step in combating social and environmental injustices in Black and brown communities globally.

neuterra centers Black, Indigenous, Asian, and POC voices within the sustainability movement, including all of our intersecting identities. We support ethical and transparent brands owned and operated by Black, Indigenous, and people of color. We highlight the stories of Black, Indigenous, and people of color who work along global supply chains.

Many predominantly white led and operated environmental companies have "carbon tunnel vision", were the focus is primarily on reducing carbon emissions - that's it. As a person of the Global Majority, I've seen firsthand how other metrics are just as important when addressing the climate crises (read: caste discrimination in the United States and abroad, biodiversity loss, water crises, and over consumption).

We're raising $15,000 to help 5 small to midsize businesses bring transparency to their supply chains and to create the MVP for our beta launch. Here's the breakdown (values are in thousands of $):

By prioritizing people of the Global South, we can achieve a climate-safe future because when people are treated well, the environment also benefits.

You're support means everything to us. Please support us by doing 3 things:

Contribute: Believe in our cause? Yay, didn't doubt it for a second! Contribute today and help us launch in Spring of 2023!
Subscribe: Want to avoid a serious case of FOMO? Subscribe here and be the first to get notified when we launch!
Share: Unlike disinformation, please share and spread our campaign on your social media! (Word of mouth is great too!)

Oh, and please don't forget to follow along on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn! I am incredibly grateful for your contribution. THANK YOU for being an early believer.

Wholeheartedly, Fatimah

Sources Cited.

"Human Rights in Supply Chains: A Call for a Binding Global Standard on Due Diligence." Human Rights Watch, Human Rights Watch, 30 May 2016, https://www.hrw.org/report/2016/05/30/human-rights-supply-chains/call-b…
"Human Trafficking by the Numbers." human rights first, human rights first, 7 Jan. 2017, https://www.humanrightsfirst.org/sites/default/files/TraffickingbytheNu… and https://www.humanrightsfirst.org/resource/human-trafficking-numbers#:~:….
"Consumerism plays a huge role in climate change." Grist,Grist 24 Feb. 2016, https://grist.org/living/consumerism-plays-a-huge-role-in-climate-chang… and "Environmental Impact Assessment of Household Consumption." Wiley Online Library, Wiley Online Library,18 Dec. 2015, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jiec.12371
"UN Alliance for Sustainable Fashion Addresses Damage of Fast Fashion." UN Environment Programme, UN Environment Programme, 14 March 2019, https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/press-release/un-alliance-sustain…
"Nearly 50% of Companies' Sustainability Claims are "Exaggerated, False, or Deceptive" According to New Probe." The Fashion Law , The Fashion Law , 21 Feb. 2021, https://www.thefashionlaw.com/nearly-50-percent-of-companies-sustainabi…

Updates

The Campaign FAQs

what does "greenwashing" mean?

Greenwashing is the marketing technique used by brands to make their products *seem* sustainable. In reality, most of these statements/claims are just gimmicks. For example, some companies change the color of their products' packaging to have green colors or symbols that represents the earth and nature, but their products still contain harmful chemicals or materials that cannot be recycled (i.e., plastic packaging) or are made from fossil fuel based materials (i.e., polyester).

how can I avoid buying greenwashed products today?

First, ask yourself if what the packaging is promoting makes sense. For example, how "eco-friendly" can a product be if it comes in a plastic container? Second, follow the money. Giant corporations have the resources and technology to make products ethically and responsibly, yet still choose to make them cheaply with large profit margins. Sometimes, paying a bit more for a smaller brand means you're actually supporting a business that is truly being sustainable and ethical along it's whole supply chain. Lastly, trust your instinct. Most sustainability claims are false or not backed by scientific methods. Basically, avoid buying products that just "look" sustainable, because they are likely to not be.

how can I trust that the information on neuterra is not greenwashed?

neuterra is lead by real scientists and our goal is to make the world better for all people regardless of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic standing, or geographic location. We don't want to become billionaires and shoot ourselves into space or buy Twitter. Of course, money does matter - why else would we be working on a company? However, as parents to little ones, we truly are in this to stop all the fake claims and help consumers support businesses that are doing right by the planet and the people on the planet! We know that the future is dire unless we make complete systemic changes TODAY. We promise that we will always cite our sources and provide transparency for every company/brand we work with. You can always count on us to be responsive to your questions and concerns, too. Before we launch, we'll switch from a C-Corp to a Public Benefit Corporation. Public Benefit Corporations are legally commited to a social and evironmental cause.

will neuterra cost money to use?

We want to make sure supply chain data is accessible to all, so we've decided to go with a freemium subscription model. Paid subscriptions will begin at $5.99/month.

what is the Global North and the Global South?

Most of the Global South is in Central and South America, Africa, and Asia. The Global North primarily represents the US, UK, Canada, France, Japan, and Spain. These concepts are used to illustrate the socio-economic divide between a group of countries. Nature-based resources in the Global South are often over extracted and exploited.

IFundWomen Pay-It-Forward

10/12/2022

Monetary Contribution

$2,640

Caitlin

09/02/2022

Monetary Contribution

$100

Danielle TrustySmith

06/29/2022

Monetary Contribution

$50

Aimee

06/16/2022

grateful

$35

Ahmed

06/08/2022

collect memories, not things

$250

06/05/2022

the opposite of more is enough

$100

S&K

06/02/2022

the opposite of more is enough

$100

Fatimah

05/29/2022

Monetary Contribution

$25

salhanooti

05/21/2022

less stuff, more freedom

$50

Julie

05/18/2022

Monetary Contribution

$50

Featured reward

250.00 USD

collect memories, not things

Knowledge is power. With this reward, you will receive a private lesson offered by our small but mighty team:

STEAM Bin Challenge

Fatimah Walee| Certified Teacher| STEAM Specialist

STEAM is so much more than an acronym for science, technology, engineering, art and math. Kids love STEAM challenges because they offer an interactive way to learn about the world around them. In this 45-minute hands-on class, elementary-aged learners will take part in an inquiry-based, kid-driven learning and exploration that’s grounded in real world connections and meaningful problem solving. Your child will turn everyday household items into an engaging hands-on activity. (Held virtually in small groups: max 5 per challenge.)

In addition:

you'll receive a personalized thank you from the founder,
your name will be added to a our website as a supporter,
you'll gain access to the "Neuterra Syllabus" - a comprehensive list of resources (i.e., books, podcasts, videos, etc.) that have helped us grow our company

1 Supporter

Select this reward

Monetary Contribution

Just Because I Care.

We're beyond grateful for your support. Thank you for supporting our mission to reduce consumption, provide more transparency for consumers, and to hold companies & brands more accountable. You are helping to uplift the countless people around the world who create the everyday products we use.

13 Supporters

Select this reward

15.00 USD

one day, or day one

Thank you for supporting our mission to reduce consumption, provide more transparency for consumers, and to hold companies & brands more accountable. You are helping to uplift the countless people around the world who create the everyday products we use.

Instead of mailing out waste (i.e. trinkets made possible due to poverty wages), listen to the playlist that energized the team during their pitches!

0 Supporters

Select this reward

25.00 USD

grow food, not lawns

Instead of mailing out waste (i.e. trinkets made possible due to poverty wages), Neuterra will plant 1 tree on your behalf or on behalf of a loved one or a little one through OneTreePlanted.

0 Supporters

Select this reward

35.00 USD

grateful

Instead of mailing out waste (i.e. trinkets made possible due to poverty wages), as a thank you for your support you'll receive a personalized thank you note from the founder.

4 Supporters

Select this reward

50.00 USD

less stuff, more freedom

Instead of mailing out waste (i.e. trinkets made possible due to poverty wages), as a thank you for your support:

you'll receive a customized thank you note from the founder

AND...

your name will be added to our website as a supporter!

6 Supporters

Select this reward

75.00 USD

own less, do more

Instead of mailing out waste (i.e. trinkets made possible due to poverty wages), as a thank you for your support:

you'll receive a personalized thank you from the founder
your name will be added to a our website as a supporter

AND...

you'll gain access to the "Neuterra Syllabus" - a comprehensive list of resources (i.e., books, podcasts, videos, etc.) that have helped us grow our company

1 Supporter

Select this reward

100.00 USD

the opposite of more is enough

We are loud and proud about social and racial justice and know a climate safe future for ALL people is not possible without them. We are thrilled to donate 3% of the proceeds from this reward to a grassroots organization. This month's organization is Grassroots Law Project. Their mission is to stop police violence and mass incarceration in America.

In addition:

you'll receive a personalized thank you from the founder,
your name will be added to a our website as a supporter,
you'll gain access to the "Neuterra Syllabus" - a comprehensive list of resources (i.e., books, podcasts, videos, etc.) that have helped us grow our company

9 Supporters

Select this reward

500.00 USD

we are not above nature, we are nature

Knowledge is power. With your contribution, you will receive a branding consultation offered by our small but mighty team.

Brand Design Essentials: Increase Brand Awareness

Kwasi Berko | Product Developer | UI/UX Designer | Frontend Developer

In this individual 45-minute consultation, Kwasi will provide you with a toolkit of proven strategies to successfully market your products, self, or brand in a digital environment. With the laws and psychology of product and design thinking, he will assist you in evaluating and examining your products, designs, brands, and ideas to best reach their full potential and goals.

In addition:

you'll receive a personalized thank you from the founder,
your name will be added to a our website as a supporter,
you'll gain access to the "Neuterra Syllabus" - a comprehensive list of resources (i.e., books, podcasts, videos, etc.) that have helped us grow our company

6 Left

0 Supporters

Select this reward

1,000.00 USD

believing there's a such thing as enough

Instead of mailing out waste (i.e. trinkets made possible due to poverty wages), as a thank you for your support:

you'll receive a personalized thank you from the founder
your name will be added to a our website as a supporter
you'll gain access to the "Neuterra Syllabus" - a comprehensive list of resources (i.e., books, podcasts, videos, etc.) that have helped us grow our company

AND...

Neuterra will plant 25 trees on your behalf or on behalf of a loved one or a little one through OneTreePlanted.

0 Supporters

Select this reward

5,000.00 USD

consume less, share more

Instead of mailing out waste (i.e. trinkets made possible due to poverty wages), as a thank you for your support:

you'll receive a personalized thank you from the founder
your name will be added to a our website as a supporter
you'll gain access to the "Neuterra Syllabus" - a comprehensive list of resources (i.e., books, podcasts, videos, etc.) that have helped us grow our company

AND...

Neuterra will plant 50 trees on your behalf or on behalf of a loved one or a little one through OneTreePlanted.

0 Supporters

Select this reward

7,000.00 USD

not what you own, but why you own it

Instead of mailing out waste (i.e. trinkets made possible due to poverty wages), as a thank you for your support:

you'll receive a personalized thank you from the founder
your name will be added to a our website as a supporter
you'll gain access to the "Neuterra Syllabus" - a comprehensive list of resources (i.e., books, podcasts, videos, etc.) that have helped us grow our company

AND...

Neuterra will plant 100 trees on your behalf or on behalf of a loved one or a little one through OneTreePlanted.

AND...

You can schedule an individual coffee hour with the founder, Fatimah Walee.

0 Supporters

Select this reward

About the Entrepreneur

by neuterra

Bel air, MD

Created 1 Campaign

http://neuterra.io

Tech

Rewards

Featured reward

250.00 USD

collect memories, not things

Knowledge is power. With this reward, you will receive a private lesson offered by our small but mighty team:

STEAM Bin Challenge

Fatimah Walee| Certified Teacher| STEAM Specialist

In addition:

you'll receive a personalized thank you from the founder,
your name will be added to a our website as a supporter,
you'll gain access to the "Neuterra Syllabus" - a comprehensive list of resources (i.e., books, podcasts, videos, etc.) that have helped us grow our company

1 Supporter

Select this reward

Monetary Contribution

Just Because I Care.

13 Supporters

Select this reward

15.00 USD

one day, or day one

Instead of mailing out waste (i.e. trinkets made possible due to poverty wages), listen to the playlist that energized the team during their pitches!

0 Supporters

Select this reward

25.00 USD

grow food, not lawns

Instead of mailing out waste (i.e. trinkets made possible due to poverty wages), Neuterra will plant 1 tree on your behalf or on behalf of a loved one or a little one through OneTreePlanted.

0 Supporters

Select this reward

35.00 USD

grateful

Instead of mailing out waste (i.e. trinkets made possible due to poverty wages), as a thank you for your support you'll receive a personalized thank you note from the founder.

4 Supporters

Select this reward

50.00 USD

less stuff, more freedom

Instead of mailing out waste (i.e. trinkets made possible due to poverty wages), as a thank you for your support:

you'll receive a customized thank you note from the founder

AND...

your name will be added to our website as a supporter!

6 Supporters

Select this reward

75.00 USD

own less, do more

Instead of mailing out waste (i.e. trinkets made possible due to poverty wages), as a thank you for your support:

you'll receive a personalized thank you from the founder
your name will be added to a our website as a supporter

AND...

you'll gain access to the "Neuterra Syllabus" - a comprehensive list of resources (i.e., books, podcasts, videos, etc.) that have helped us grow our company

1 Supporter

Select this reward

100.00 USD

the opposite of more is enough

In addition:

you'll receive a personalized thank you from the founder,
your name will be added to a our website as a supporter,
you'll gain access to the "Neuterra Syllabus" - a comprehensive list of resources (i.e., books, podcasts, videos, etc.) that have helped us grow our company

9 Supporters

Select this reward

500.00 USD

we are not above nature, we are nature

Knowledge is power. With your contribution, you will receive a branding consultation offered by our small but mighty team.

Brand Design Essentials: Increase Brand Awareness

Kwasi Berko | Product Developer | UI/UX Designer | Frontend Developer

In addition:

you'll receive a personalized thank you from the founder,
your name will be added to a our website as a supporter,
you'll gain access to the "Neuterra Syllabus" - a comprehensive list of resources (i.e., books, podcasts, videos, etc.) that have helped us grow our company

6 Left

0 Supporters

Select this reward

1,000.00 USD

believing there's a such thing as enough

Instead of mailing out waste (i.e. trinkets made possible due to poverty wages), as a thank you for your support:

you'll receive a personalized thank you from the founder
your name will be added to a our website as a supporter
you'll gain access to the "Neuterra Syllabus" - a comprehensive list of resources (i.e., books, podcasts, videos, etc.) that have helped us grow our company

AND...

Neuterra will plant 25 trees on your behalf or on behalf of a loved one or a little one through OneTreePlanted.

0 Supporters

Select this reward

5,000.00 USD

consume less, share more

Instead of mailing out waste (i.e. trinkets made possible due to poverty wages), as a thank you for your support:

you'll receive a personalized thank you from the founder
your name will be added to a our website as a supporter
you'll gain access to the "Neuterra Syllabus" - a comprehensive list of resources (i.e., books, podcasts, videos, etc.) that have helped us grow our company

AND...

Neuterra will plant 50 trees on your behalf or on behalf of a loved one or a little one through OneTreePlanted.

0 Supporters

Select this reward

7,000.00 USD

not what you own, but why you own it

Instead of mailing out waste (i.e. trinkets made possible due to poverty wages), as a thank you for your support:

you'll receive a personalized thank you from the founder
your name will be added to a our website as a supporter
you'll gain access to the "Neuterra Syllabus" - a comprehensive list of resources (i.e., books, podcasts, videos, etc.) that have helped us grow our company

AND...

Neuterra will plant 100 trees on your behalf or on behalf of a loved one or a little one through OneTreePlanted.

AND...

You can schedule an individual coffee hour with the founder, Fatimah Walee.

0 Supporters

Select this reward