A lot of people called 2016 a rough year. I get why.

But when I look back on it, I see progress. I see hard work paying off. And I see proof that SelfEco Garden was heading in the right direction.

Here are a few things that stood out to me.

1) Minnesota Cup Division Winner

One of the biggest moments for us was winning our division in the Minnesota Cup.

The Minnesota Cup is one of the largest startup competitions in the country. It brings together entrepreneurs, mentors, investors, and industry experts from all over the state.

More than fifteen hundred teams entered that year. We started in March and went through months of judging, feedback, and tough questions. By the end of it, SelfEco Garden won the Food, Agriculture, and Beverage division.

That win came with seed funding, marketing support, in kind resources, and professional photo and video work. But the real value was the experience.

We were pushed to think harder about our business. Mentors challenged our assumptions. Experts helped us refine our ideas. It made us better.

The Minnesota Cup does something important. It builds confidence and creates real connections. That matters more than people realize.

2) Iowa State University Put Our Pots to the Test

We wanted proof that our products worked. Not just opinions.

So we asked Iowa State University to test our garden pots against one of the leading bio pots on the market. They ran side by side trials and documented the results.

The difference was clear.

Bigger plants. Healthier roots. Less root wrapping. More fruit. Larger harvests.

People often ask me if our pots really work. That study helped answer that question in a way that matters.

3) 7 Large Growers Are Testing Our Pots

Another big step was seeing interest from large growers.

Seven commercial growers began testing our pots in automated production systems. These are real world environments where consistency and reliability matter.

We already knew our pots could handle automation, but seeing them tested at scale was exciting. It meant we were moving beyond small trials and into serious production conversations.

Those tests helped confirm that plantable pots can work in modern growing systems.

4) Retail Launches

Retail was another milestone.

After our Kickstarter campaign, we started meeting with retailers. Those conversations turned into real launches.

Our products became available through Amazon and began rolling out on Walmart.com. We also partnered with Wagner’s Garden Centers and other nurseries across Minnesota.

Seeing SelfEco Garden products on retail shelves was a reminder of how far we had come in a short time.

Why This Year Mattered

2016 was not perfect. But it was important.

It showed us that the idea behind SelfEco Garden had legs. It showed us that growers, researchers, and retailers were willing to take us seriously.

Most of all, it showed us that there was room to do things differently.

That year laid the foundation for everything that came next.

And we were just getting started.

– Danny Mishek and team