Discover more about Economad
EcoNomad Solutions is an award-winning agritech startup that develops small-scale anaerobic biodigesters for livestock smallholdings. Their primary innovation lies in making anaerobic digestion technology affordable and accessible for smaller farms, addressing a significant market gap. The key benefits of this waste treatment solution are its simplicity, small footprint (no planning permit required in most cases) and affordability, making it particularly suitable for smallholdings and rural communities in the UK and worldwide.
In more detail
The company’s technology system allows farms to convert waste into renewable fuel and fertiliser using anaerobic digestion, which traditionally required expensive technology. This helps small farms overcome waste disposal issues whilst generating additional revenue streams. For example, farm waste can be transformed into biogas for cooking, heating or electricity and into high-grade organic fertiliser that can be sold or spread on crops, reducing the need for chemicals. The system is particularly suited to cold and temperate climates, although it’s not limited to them, and can be operated fully off-grid.
EcoNomad is also developing a Passive Solar Pump and Pasteurizer (PSPP), a patented, off-grid technology, that can be used alongside BioNomad to upgrade organic fertiliser or to improve a range of systems including irrigation, pasteurisation, energy production and storage.
A short history of EcoNomad
2018 Founded – supported by Rothamsted Research, University College London (UCL) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
2019 Receives an AgRIA ERDF grant for a full-scale prototype and testing
Awarded a UKRI Innovate UK grant for development and field trials in Sub-Saharan Africa
2020 Pilot starts at Rothamsted Research
Funding from Rothamsted’s Shake Climate Change programme
2021 2021 FoodTech 500 finalist
2023 BioNomad v1.0 design starts testing
Awarded a BBSRC grant
2025 10 pilot projects are up and running on farms across the UK
- BioNomad patent granted in the UK: A system for obtaining energy from organic waste
- PSPP patent granted in the UK, EU, US & China: Heat-driven pumping system
Why Rothamsted?
EcoNomad was co-founded by Dr Ilan Adler, an eco-technology expert and Associate Professor at UCL. Basing this innovative start-up at Rothamsted was a natural choice thanks to the range of facilities and opportunities on offer.
“We’re known for our innovation so it made sense to base ourselves at the home of agri-tech innovation, Rothamsted, where we have access to all the laboratories, equipment, scientific minds and funding opportunities that our startup needs.”
EcoNomad benefits from
| Lab & Office Space |
A special combination of labs, warehouses and glasshouses available on one site, along with affordable office space.
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| Kit |
Regular and ongoing use of Rothamsted’s innovation lab and kit to analyse soil and waste liquid samples.
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| Location |
Rothamsted’s reputation and legacy give initial credibility to this start-up whilst great public transport and road links enable the two founders to move easily between UCL in London and Harpenden.
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| Collaboration |
Access to scientists experienced in using specialist equipment and sharing access to results, made Rothamsted an attractive environment. Rothamsted also enables collaboration when writing conference papers, the opportunity to meet visiting entrepreneurs to share knowledge, and access funders, including BBSRC grants.
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| Opportunities |
Being part of the Rothamsted ecosystem gives EcoNomad access to peers and speakers, as well as onsite networks including the very successful SHAKE climate change programme, and external networks including Agri-techE.
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