ABOUT THE FUND
The Main Street Entrepreneurs Seed Fund supports Georgia State student entrepreneurs, recent alumni and Georgia State community entrepreneurs with seed funding and mentorship to start and grow new ventures.

FOOD UPCYCLES
Yazdan Navabi, Founder and CEO
Alumni, B.B.A. Entrepreneurship B.S. Business Economics (’20)
[email protected]
Launched February 2020
PROBLEM
Lack of outlets to compost
SOLUTION
Food waste (compostables) removal
service and processing microfarm
BUSINESS MODEL
Subscription-based with special
single-service-options available
TARGET MARKET
Organic restaurants, juice bars,
vegan restaurants
KEY COMPETITORS
CompostNow,
Secondhand Soil
USE OF FUNDS
65% Capital, 10% R&D,
10% Supplies, 10% Legal,
5% Talent Recruitment
What does Entrepreneurship mean to you?
Finding better ways (more beneficial ways or smarter ways) to do things.
Have you always been entrepreneurial?
I started my own landscaping operation at age 13. When I was 16 my parents bought an Italian fine dining restaurant and allowed me to work there part time and taught me the ins and outs of the business. I also trained and coached people through college as a certified personal trainer.
What advice can you offer to entrepreneurs?
Only do the things you love and are the most passionate about. The world is full of pain points or things that can be improved. Find the things you love and start thinking about your own experiences, and talking to other consumers who might provide differing perspectives on the issue at hand.
What innovative technologies are being leveraged in your business?
Smartphone app, data analytics and visuals for consumers.
What role has Atlanta played in your entrepreneurial journey?
There’s entrepreneurs everywhere! You are definitely exposed to this entrepreneurship and the attitude every day almost everywhere you go in the city; it’s in the culture. There’s also the large corporations presence which reinforces the business mentality.
FOUNDER INTERVIEW
ABOUT THE FUND
The Marcus Foundation supports Georgia State student entrepreneurs, recent alumni and Georgia State community entrepreneurs with seed funding and mentorship to start and grow new ventures.