In this interview series, HSWT presents startups that are part of the Food Startup Incubator Weihenstephan (FSIWS) . The series introduces the companies, their product ideas, and their working methods.
The name "Hilli" comes from the Ecuadorian indigenous language Quichua and means juice. Her homeland is HILLI Fruits founder Paulina Carrera and has particularly shaped her appreciation for pure, unadulterated fruit flavor. After the birth of her children, the Ecuadorian native longed for all-natural products that tasted like ripe fruit – just like she remembered from her own childhood. The fruit purees also impressed the jury on the VOX startup show "Die Höhle der Löwen" (The Lion's Den): Entrepreneur Ralf Dümmel, in particular, was enthusiastic and invested.
FSIWS: Paulina, what is your vision or mission?
Ecuador's culinary riches are extraordinary. My homeland boasts a wealth of exotic fruits that thrive in the Amazon valleys, on the Andean highlands, and along the Pacific coast, thanks to the climate and direct sunlight. I want to share with my customers the vibrant flavors of my homeland and other outstanding growing regions. My products offer 100% pure taste and a wide range of uses.
Well-being and sustainability are the two pillars on which my company is built. On the one hand, a healthy lifestyle includes a large degree of well-being, which is positively influenced by a varied diet with the right vitamins and minerals. On the other hand, sustainability is a very important aspect that holds particular significance for me – which is why I work in direct contact with many farmers.
How do you ensure the sustainability of your products?
Through the factory process: washing and disinfection with natural citrus components, separation of the pulp from the hard parts, puréeing that preserves all nutrients, and gentle preservation through pasteurization. And with immediate flash freezing, all nutrients are retained. All products are lovingly packaged by hand, free from added sugar and artificial preservatives. HILLI Fruits does not use an industrialized process, because genuine handcraft is a vital part of our production chain.
