GreenGrip™ founder Kanna Ecklund/Uchida has introduced a more environmentally friendly and safe alternative to floral foam. She recently won the first prize at the 8th annual “Trailblazers: Women Innovators Entrepreneurship Competition” held by the California Asia-Pacific Chamber of Commerce.
Coming from a family with three generations of florists, Kanna shared that flowers have always been a part of her life. However, she discovered the hidden dangers behind their beauty, as conventional floral foams contain toxic chemicals. She emphasized the personal impact of this issue by mentioning her grandfather, who worked as a florist for 60 years before passing away due to various health issues.
For the past 70 years, flower shops have been utilizing chemical substances such as green fluorides, films, plastics, and formaldehyde in their operations. These chemicals not only contribute to water pollution through microplastics but also result in single-use plastics ending up in landfills. Kanna interviewed around 150 florists and shop owners in San Diego, finding that many shared the same concerns but lacked suitable alternatives.
Their first product, a plant-based water gel (depicted in brown in the image), can nourish flowers while facilitating planting and trimming. Kanna mentioned that their custom formula combines aesthetics, performance, safety, and sustainability. She explained, “We take social responsibility in two crucial aspects. Ethically, we aim to improve the outlook of flower shops by replacing toxic foams, an endeavor inspired by my grandfather and numerous interviewed floral businesses. From an environmental perspective, we utilize compostable plant-based solutions to eliminate microplastics and formaldehyde.”
The plant-based water gel contains approximately 80% water and has a gel-like texture, providing hydration to freshly cut flowers for up to two weeks. Kanna noted that she conceived the entrepreneurial idea last year and began experimenting with home-made samples six months ago, allowing customers to test and provide feedback. She mentioned, “Further testing is required to validate the gel’s water-release capacity and its ability to meet floral needs.” Future plans include refining the production process and applying for patents.
While traditional floral foams cost around $1-1.5 per unit, their product is priced at $2 per unit. GreenGrip™ has received 25 pre-orders and 100 contracts, with plans to finalize the production of a feasibility product in September with a smaller size for easier packaging and transportation, leading to reduced costs. The official sales launch is projected for 2026.
Kanna expressed, “My goal is to offer flower shops a better and safer choice that protects both humans and the planet.”
Founding a company and initiating business operations in the United States is not overly challenging, but ensuring profitability and long-term sustainability are critical factors for entrepreneurs to consider. Kanna, a graduate in business studies, highlighted the extensive research and self-learning she undertook, acknowledging moments of doubt but ultimately following her inner desires to achieve success.
Their team comprises material science and engineering interns, a chemistry mentor, and a business professor, emphasizing that success is a collective effort. Initial funding came from family support, with additional financial assistance obtained through a grant from San Diego State University’s incubator project. Several key team members of GreenGrip™ also have ties to the university, providing valuable resources for acquiring equipment to expand production capacity.
Kanna has revolutionized the business and sales approach passed down from previous generations, with her team not only visiting flower shops and seeking customer feedback but also leveraging social media platforms like Instagram and Youtube to promote and sell products, along with collaborating with wholesalers. She elaborated, “We aim to establish a scalable, healthy operational model that supports businesses, allowing flower shops to access and use safe floral foam alternatives that are both cost-effective and high-performance.”
The innovations introduced by Kanna Ecklund/Uchida and her team at GreenGrip™ signal a promising shift towards sustainable and eco-friendly practices within the floral industry, setting a new standard for safety, performance, and environmental consciousness.