Minor improvements

Many minor improvements have contributed to easier assembly, better structural stiffness, and better usability. Here are some examples:

1. Chamfer on the door: Dirt won’t get stuck in the corners, and it will be easier to clean the gap.
2. More ribs on one of the components: the last prototype is more rigid than the previous one
3. Air exchange fan assembly: the new design is more straightforward to assemble, and it’s less noisy

Noise improvements

Noise was the primary concern of our users during Beta testing, so we even involved our Chinese manufacturer to test our improvements to make Shrooly as silent as possible.

We’ve been working closely with our manufacturing partner in recent months, who brings years of expertise in home-growing device production. This collaboration is key to maximizing user experience. Due to privacy and business confidentiality, we are unable to disclose their name but rest assured, their experience and knowledge are invaluable assets to our project.

Design freeze

The final prototype of Shrooly has been completed. As of November 3rd, we have reached a pivotal milestone known as the design freeze. This means all features of Shrooly have been thoroughly reviewed and approved, and the device operates as intended, with no further modifications planned. This design freeze, a common practice in design for manufacturing, ensures that the product design is stable and ready for the next production phase. With everything set in stone, we can shift our focus to the tooling stage, an exciting step towards bringing Shrooly to life.

We have entered the tooling stage

We’re excited to share the next steps in Shrooly’s journey, made possible by reinvesting funds from sales into developing the most reliable product for mushroom growing on the market. This investment is not only in tooling but also in manufacturing processes to ensure top-notch quality.

The tooling stage is planned to take approximately 9 weeks, from November 7th to January 6th. So what will happen in this period?

The revised tool concept will arrive next week, so we’ve already paid in advance and ordered the steel necessary for the injection molding tool, which will arrive within the next two weeks. 

The first-out-of-tool (FOT) samples are predicted for the 1st week of January. That’s when our engineering team will set off to China to test and approve the sample. We won’t leave until we have the best possible result. We will also conduct the mechanical and functional tests at this time.

Most of the units will be retained for internal use, predominantly for cultivation tests. It’s important to note that visual imperfections may be present at this stage, but these do not impact functionality. Despite these aesthetic variations, the units are fully operational, and some will be sent out for the certification process.

Cultivation team restructured

In a strategic move to bolster our efficiency and impact, we have recently restructured our Cultivation Team, aiming to optimize our operational effectiveness and better serve our customers’ needs.

The primary task of the cultivation team is to continuously develop and test the recipes for mushrooms that can be grown in the Shrooly device. This ensures the highest quality and maximum quantity of harvestable mushrooms, thereby providing the best possible user experience (UX) for users from a cultivation perspective. In addition, the cultivation team is currently also responsible for establishing the entire pod production, which will initially involve external partners.

There are three ongoing projects:

1. Create a manufacturing partner network for pods
2. Develop and deploy equipment to increase cultivation capacity.
3. Scaling up cultivation experiments

Available mushroom species

There will be five strains of mushrooms available at launch: Yellow Oyster, Pink Oyster, Pioppino, Shiitake, and Reishi. Based on the tests conducted so far, these species’ cultivation stability (minimum one harvest) is around 70%. This is relatively low because we have changed many parameters during the various tests, and we have never examined large-scale cultivations with the same setup simultaneously before forming the cultivation team. This value is expected to be around 90% (ideally close to 95%) by the end of the year with the initial species.

On top of the 5 already available species, we are experimenting with 9 more from Q1 of 2024 to exceed the promised 12 species advertised on Indiegogo and our website. We expect to make these species available for purchase later in 2024.

Beta program wrapped up

We have completed the program, and the beta users are returning the devices, and we are conducting interviews with them. Upon receipt of all the devices, they will be used by the cultivation team. The team will then utilize these devices to build test farms to expand our testing capacity and accelerate the efficiency of our cultivation tests.

The feedback from these beta tests helped us improve Shrooly and discover valuable user insights. The main takeaways of our beta program are based on the findings from the user research interviews:

Device fan noise concerns

Our beta testing has highlighted that the noise level of the device’s fan is a significant concern. We understand that a quieter operation is crucial for a more pleasant user experience, especially in home environments. Our engineering team is currently exploring various solutions to reduce the fan noise without compromising the device’s efficiency. This could involve redesigning certain fan components or incorporating noise-dampening materials. Our goal is to ensure that the device operates smoothly and quietly, aligning with our commitment to user comfort and satisfaction.

Mushroom growth timeline

Feedback from the beta test indicates that the app does not clearly communicate the expected time for mushroom readiness. Recognizing the importance of this feature, we are working to enhance the app’s interface and functionality. This update will include a clearer, more intuitive display of the mushroom growth process, providing users with real-time updates and more accurate predictions of harvest time. This improvement aims to enhance user engagement and provide a more informative and interactive cultivation experience.

Pod storage information

It was observed that the current pod design lacks the necessary storage information. To address this, we are redesigning the pods and include clear labels indicating that they are fridge-safe. This design change is intended to improve the usability and practicality of the pods, making it easier for users to store them correctly and maintain their quality. The addition of fridge-safe labeling will guide users in preserving the pods’ integrity, ensuring a better cultivation outcome.

Timeline

It took us a long journey to arrive where we are now, and it wouldn’t have been possible without our supporters. So, the marathon might be behind us, but there’s still a steady sprint ahead.

As mentioned above, the tooling stage will peak at the beginning of January, when our engineering team will set out to China.

Design Validation Test (DVT)

Our team is gearing up for the DVT, a critical step where we validate the design of our product for functionality and manufacturability. This is scheduled just before the Chinese New Year, aiming for completion by February 10th. The timing is strategic to avoid the holiday period, ensuring we stay on track without delays.

Certification

Assuming the DVT phase proceeds smoothly without significant hitches, we anticipate having the necessary certificates in place by March 15th. These certificates are vital as they confirm our product meets industry standards and is safe for consumer use.

Product Validation Test (PVT)

The next significant milestone is the PVT, slated for the first week of April. In this stage, our focus is on fine-tuning and securing the efficiency of the production and assembly lines. This includes enhancing line speed, improving operator skill levels, reducing waste, and increasing daily output. This is the last test before we greenlight mass production.

Mass production

Post-PVT, we’re set to move into high gear. Mass production is scheduled to start in the 4th week of April. This marks a significant leap from prototype to large-scale production, signifying the readiness of our product for the consumer market. After production, the products are first shipped to fulfillment centers before reaching our customers, ensuring efficient distribution and adding to the overall timeline of our delivery process.

Shipping

We’re announcing that shipping is expected to begin on the 20th week of 2024 (the week starting on May 13th). This is the moment we’ve all been waiting for – when our product finally gets into your hands.

Below, you can see the visual representation of our timing:

Shipping schedule

We will load your Shroolys into 20 ft shipping containers. One container can house 640 pieces of our smart devices. In the production phase, we will load the full container and only set them en route when fully loaded. We are going to ship full truckload containers (FTL).

We plan to start with a 640 pcs container in the first week and scale up to 2 containers each week, beginning in the middle of May. Our team will do their best to scale this quantity, but for now, we will stick to a more pessimistic shipping schedule. We will continuously update all the information related to the shipping schedule, which you can check on our Company page. All orders will be fulfilled chronologically, no matter what platform you purchased on.

How to get your order number?

We will send an email to everyone where you’ll find this current update and your order number on top. You can use it to find the week when you’ll finally have your Shrooly shipped.

In case you don’t get your order number to track your expected delivery date, follow the guide below:

If you are an Indiegogo backer
In the Indiegogo contribution confirmation email (sent from noreply@t.indiegogo.com in most cases), scroll down to the “Contribution Details” section where you’ll find the Contribution ID. Use this number to find your expected shipping date in the table below. 

 

If you are a shrooly.com backer
The order confirmation was sent via email from hello@shrooly.com or order@shrooly.com. When you open the email, you will find the Order #XXXX number on the right side under the header. With this number, you can see in the table below which week we will deliver the product.

If you pre-ordered on our previous system with an order ID above #8000

If you ordered on Kickstarter
Emails are sent from no-reply@kickstarter.com, and the subject is usually You just backed Shrooly. At the middle of the email, there’s a block with your confirmation number, pledge details, and on the bottom, there’s your backer number.

If you need help or still can’t find the shipping date, contact us at support@shrooly.com. Just send your name, address, email address, and purchase details, and our colleagues will take care of the rest.

Apologies, compensation

We recognize the significant inconvenience caused by the delay in shipping your order. As a company, we understand the importance of trust and reliability, and it’s clear that we have fallen short in this instance.

First and foremost, please accept our sincerest apologies. This situation must meet the standards we set for ourselves or the expectations you rightly hold us to. Your patience and continued support during this time are immensely appreciated; we do not take them for granted.

We also want to acknowledge that effective communication is key, especially in times of uncertainty. In response, we have overhauled our communication strategy to ensure you receive timely, clear, and transparent updates moving forward.

We are updating you on the progress and acknowledging the impact of this delay on you. As a gesture of our commitment to your satisfaction, and as compensation for the inconvenience caused, we offer coupons for pod purchases depending on the time of purchase. These coupons range from $20 to $100, and on top of that, we’re offering a discount coupon in the range of 25-50% for pod packs. 

Terms and conditions apply, which will be published on the Shipping Schedule on the Company page later.

Your compensation

We’re implementing a tier-based compensation system directly tied to the date of your order. The compensation increases proportionally with your waiting time, ensuring those who have waited the longest receive the most significant compensation.

Transparency

Frequent content posted on Shrooly_team Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/shrooly_team/ 

We realized that strategic thinking is not just about product development, but also about content creation and transparent communication. We owe you this, you stood behind us, so our team is dedicated to sharing the behind-the-scenes content: test farms, cultivation team, and status reports from China.

Timely Indiegogo updates

We are devoted to our backers and understand the importance of consistent communication. We will provide regular updates (one update every 4-6 weeks, depending on our Chinese manufacturer’s progress) and actively seek your feedback, ensuring our communication meets your needs and addresses your concerns. Your input is invaluable as we strive to enhance our engagement and give you the attention you deserve.

Customer support

We hired a new colleague solely dedicated to our backer community, so real-time information flows smoothly between us. We know five-star may sound too ambitious, but we talked about strategy at all levels, so we put all our expertise into recruiting the most suitable customer support agent possible. She already had the opportunity to shine.

Shipping updates on our website

Why is it important? Now, we have a dedicated platform for the updated shipping schedule and product updates. This is also a site for other important information about the company.

What’s next?

This is the beginning of a new era in Shrooly’s history because we reached several crucial milestones. 

First, we made a record-long update! Congratulations if you’ve made it this far! 

What’s ahead of us?

Our engineering team is fully engaged in the tooling stage, setting the stage for an uninterrupted progression through crucial phases: the design validation test, certification, product validation test, and, ultimately, mass production and shipping.

We’re transitioning from a marathon to a sprint, focusing on efficiency and speed, with the most challenging parts behind us.

What’s ahead for you?

We are committed to keeping you informed and engaged. Regular updates will be posted on our Shrooly_team Instagram account, covering production details, test farms, and more. 

For any queries, please reach out to us at support@shrooly.com

Additionally, we value your feedback. A dedicated form is available at https://form.typeform.com/to/ThI8Rd8r for you to share your thoughts on this update. 

Your input is crucial for our growth and improvement.

With mush love,
The Shrooly Team