Munich Startup: What does Ecomates do? What problem does it solve?
Ecomates: At Ecomates, we develop decentralized, fully automated microbiogas plants. In doing so, we address the societal problem that the energy potential of organic residues is currently only partially exploited in Germany. With our Smart Degrader We are creating a new piece of the puzzle in decentralized energy supply and making a contribution to climate change.
Our entry-level market is hospitality businesses. These businesses benefit not only from greater self-sufficiency and annual CO2 savings of 14 tons of CO2e, but also financially. On the one hand, replacing fossil fuels can reduce energy costs, and on the other, food waste disposal costs are completely eliminated.
Munich Startup: Hasn't this been around for a long time?
Ecomates: There are large, commercial biogas plants as well as small, so-called low-tech biogas plants that require warm outdoor temperatures and considerable labor from their operators. Our smart degraders target a completely new segment somewhere in between. With a daily biowaste input of 40 kilograms, we are the smallest fully automated solution on the market.
Tinkering Sunday in Grandma's garage
Munich Startup: What is your founding story?
Ecomates: It all began with a late-night cooking session and a large pile of organic waste. Our co-founder and biochemistry student David was just about to dump the pile in his organic waste bin when the question occurred to him: Why should such a valuable resource be wasted? Why aren't there solutions for producing and using biogas ourselves? He told his school friends Eric and Valentin about his idea. Soon, "Tinkering Sunday" was established, and development was underway in Grandma's garage.
By a stroke of luck and a little help from the Instagram algorithm, the three stumbled upon two students who were working on a similar idea in parallel. Since Cosima and Isa also happened to be from Munich, three quickly became five. During their studies, the team developed several prototypes and produced their first own biogas. With the launch of the Munich University of Applied Sciences' startup accelerator program in September 2022, their hobby finally became a Pursue.
A lot has changed since then. Ecomates has secured two government funding programs (Exist and Flügge) and now operates not from Grandma's workshop or garage, but from its own office in the Precelerator building of the Munich University of Applied Sciences. One thing hasn't changed, however: Cosima, David, Eric, and Valentin continue to form the core Ecomates team and are supported in the design department by freelancer Isa.
Munich Startup: What have been your biggest challenges so far?
Ecomates: There hasn't been a single biggest challenge so far. However, every day brings new challenges, requiring us as a small team to prioritize and weigh up the next important steps. This brings us one step closer to our vision every day: a world in which people live in harmony with themselves and the planet's finite resources.
Ecomates is still looking for motivated colleagues
Munich Startup: Where would you like to be in one year, where in five years?
Ecomates: Our pilot series is expected to be ready for launch in one year and installed at the first six pilot customers. We already have initial pilot projects in the pipeline, but we're still looking for motivated collaborators. Whether it's a larger hotel with a restaurant, a pub, a company canteen, or a communal catering facility—we welcome every new contact.
In five years, the smart degrader will have been in series production and marketed for three years. Initially, our focus will have been on German companies, but now we want to begin supplying the entire DACH region and eventually all of Europe with Ecomates smart degraders.
Munich Startup: How have you experienced Munich as a startup location so far?
Ecomates: Without the Munich University of Applied Sciences and the Strascheg Center for Entrepreneurship, we might still be tinkering in our garage today. The entire Munich ecosystem is a great source of motivation and inspiration for us.
Munich Startup: Public transport or bicycle?
Ecomates: There's a clear stalemate: Two founder colleagues ride bicycles, two prefer public transport. When something bulky needs to be transported, the car sometimes has to do the trick—but of course, it's powered by biogas.
