UK clean technology startup EcoNomad Solutions has secured £230,000 from the British Design Fund to expand its waste-to-energy technology for small livestock farms. The investment forms part of a wider £400,000 funding round that also includes an Innovate UK Investor Partnership grant and additional backing from existing investor Beeches Group. The Harpenden-based company plans to use the funding to advance product development and increase deployment of its BioNomad anaerobic digestion system across the UK and Europe.
Funding Supports Expansion
EcoNomad is targeting a segment of the agricultural market that has traditionally had limited access to commercial anaerobic digestion systems because of their cost, scale, and operational complexity. Smaller livestock farms are facing higher energy and fertilizer expenses alongside stricter requirements around slurry management and growing pressure to reduce methane emissions. The company says its technology is designed to provide these operators with a more accessible way to convert agricultural waste into usable energy while reducing their reliance on external inputs.
BioNomad Targets Small Farms
EcoNomad's patented BioNomad system captures methane generated from organic waste and converts it into biogas that can be used for heating, cooking, or electricity generation. The digestion process also produces biofertilizer, offering farmers an alternative to some chemical fertilizer inputs and creating additional value from waste that would otherwise require management or disposal. According to the company, a smallholding with around 50 cows could potentially reduce its annual energy and fertilizer expenditure by several thousand pounds, although savings depend on individual farm operations and energy use.
Technology Developed From International Experience
Founder and CEO Dr Ilan Adler developed the concept after observing decentralized waste-to-energy systems in Latin America and later identifying similar waste-management challenges in the UK. After moving to Britain for his PhD at University College London more than 15 years ago, Adler began adapting the approach for colder climates, smaller farms, and European regulatory requirements. His background spans more than two decades in environmental engineering, including wastewater treatment, anaerobic digestion, renewable energy, and entrepreneurial projects in international markets.
From Research to Commercial Deployment
Early development of the BioNomad system was supported by a Royal Academy of Engineering fellowship, helping EcoNomad move the technology toward a patented and commercially deployable product. The company says its systems are now operating on more than 10 farms in the UK, with additional installations in Africa and trials involving insect farming, food waste, and hybrid renewable energy systems. EcoNomad's primary commercial focus remains dairy, beef, pig, and poultry farms, including operations in rural and off-grid locations.
Scaling the BioNomad Platform
The latest financing will support EcoNomad as it works toward making the BioNomad a more automated and plug-and-play system that requires less intervention from farmers. The company intends to prioritize broader commercial deployment in the UK before pursuing further expansion into European and emerging markets. British Design Fund CEO Damon Bonser said EcoNomad is addressing both environmental and economic pressures facing smaller farms and highlighted the potential for decentralized anaerobic digestion to be deployed at greater scale.
EcoNomad's £230,000 British Design Fund investment strengthens the company's efforts to commercialize renewable energy technology designed specifically for smaller agricultural businesses. By combining methane capture, on-site energy production, and biofertilizer generation, the startup is seeking to make anaerobic digestion more practical for farms that have historically been underserved by larger systems. With additional support from Innovate UK and existing investors, EcoNomad is now focused on refining its technology and expanding its presence across the UK before moving into wider international markets.