How did Flexiliser come about?
“My two current business partners Steven van Dalen and Manuel Dieguez Sanchez both completed a sustainability master’s degree in Utrecht and together they already ran SanDalen Sustainability Solutions. This consultancy firm focused on making buildings more sustainable and saving energy. In search of new opportunities with hydrogen, they approached me, because I am an old school friend of Steven’s with a lot of knowledge of the energy sector, an entrepreneurial spirit and a strong network. We clicked immediately when we sat down together. The idea of green hydrogen stood out because of the immense challenges and opportunities it offers. This is how the foundation for Flexiliser was laid.”
Why did you decide to focus on agriculture?
“When our concept was theoretically ready, we requested a feasibility study in 2022 to test whether we also had a feasible and profitable business case. The chances of this turned out to be greatest in agriculture. The farmers' earning model is under severe pressure due to the transitional phase the sector is in. One of the biggest challenges: the sky-high costs for manure disposal. These costs have risen from roughly 5 euros to 30 euros per cubic meter in just three to five years. Previously, many farmers did not even have to think about this, because they were allowed to spread much more manure on their land. The fact that they asked us for help during the feasibility study illustrates the urgency of the problem.”
What does your concept entail?
“We want dairy farmers to be able to spread their own sustainable manure on their own land under the motto 'Own manure on own land'. And that they can sell any surpluses so that their revenue model improves. We want to achieve this by 'acidifying' manure, which reduces the emission of ammonia and nitrogen and thus creates a sustainable manure product. By enriching this manure with the 'Flexi-booster', the soil quality improves through the addition of mycorrhiza and bacterial compounds. In this way, dairy farmers maintain their revenue model and become less dependent on artificial fertilizers.”
“Our long-term dream is system innovation by linking energy to agriculture: we want dairy farmers to benefit much more from the energy transition through 'decentralised' production of green hydrogen, ammonia and nitric acid on their own land.”
How did you come into contact with ROM InWest?
“Collaboration is crucial to achieve what we want: connecting energy and agriculture, and thus system innovation. That is why we started looking for financing and expanding our network. Several people from our network advised us to contact ROM InWest. At the beginning of 2024, we knocked on their door and I spoke to Stef Mellema, one of their senior business developers. He has been helping us in various ways ever since. For example, by connecting us to the most progressive farmers in his network so that we can discuss our ideas and plans with them one-on-one. But his excellent subsidy advice is also important to us. As a start-up, it is almost impossible to attract private capital in this early research phase, which makes you highly dependent on subsidies. Finally, Stef also pointed us to the Business Innovation Program Food (BIPF), in which he is also active as a coach.”
Why did you decide to participate in the BIPF and what were the benefits?
“Stef explained that the program gave us a unique opportunity to tackle our biggest challenges. Especially to better understand who our customer is. The program has certainly delivered on that. We now know where dairy farmers get their information from, what problems they experience and what arouses their distrust. Even nuances, such as the difference between the nitrogen and manure problem, are crystal clear to us now. This allows us to perfectly tailor our solution to their needs and respond to their constantly changing situation. This helps Flexiliser to grow consistently. We have been sawed through every now and then, but have become better entrepreneurs.”
Why would you recommend other entrepreneurs to participate in BIPF?
“Because it makes you a better entrepreneur. The BIPF offers startups and SMEs with new ideas opportunities to learn a lot and to sharpen their solution for their market and first target group. It is important that you can think conceptually, are prepared to let go of your beliefs and are open to information from the market and the advice of trainers and experts. Because we entered the program with that attitude, we now know exactly which steps we need to take.”
Where are you now and what are your plans with Flexiliser?
“Together with TNO, Adverio Waste Systems and a dairy farmer, we are designing and building a manure acidification installation. Once it is operational, we will be able to demonstrate for the first time that our solution is both economically and technically feasible. Within one to two years, Flexiliser wants to help farmers solve their manure problem. Our ideal for the long term is that manure is no longer a problem thanks to our solution and all waste flows are optimally reused.”
More information about the BIPF
Want to know more about BIPF and how the accelerator program can help your company? We organize a program four times a year. For more information, visit https://rominwest.nl/programma/business-innovation-program-food-bipf/.
