LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 celebrates World Creativity and Innovation Day

This April 21, from LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 we want to commemorate the World Creativity and Innovation Day, a date that aims to promote multidisciplinary creative thinking to achieve a more sustainable future. The celebration of this day encompasses the concept of the creative economy. An evolving concept based on the interaction between human creativity, ideas, intellectual property, knowledge and technology. Innovation is an essential component of sustainable development and represents a source of identity and creativity for the individual and the community. At the same time, creativity and innovation have a significant non-economic value that contributes to inclusive social development, dialogue and understanding between peoples. Today, the creative industries are among the most dynamic sectors of the global economy and provide new opportunities for developing countries to leapfrog into the emerging high-growth areas of the world economy. From LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 we support creativity and innovation, through the innovative technology implemented in the WWTP plants and the software under development at the Global Omnium plant, located in Valencia. This technology allows to control and automate the anaerobic digesters of water treatment plants to transform putrescible organic waste into biogas. In this way, our project has developed an automatic waste dosing system to maximize and optimize energy, always following the guidelines of the European Green Pact and the SDGs in terms of circular economy.
Aquacycl visits Finnova’s office in Brussels to discuss the LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 project

04/04/2023, Brussels. The Finnova Foundation team together with Juanma Revuelta, CEO of Finnova, have met today, April 4th in Brussels with Ludovic Vallet, Director of Global Sales at Aquacycl, in a technical networking visit. This session is part of the Marketing Plan of the European project LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 and aims to analyze possible ways of collaboration. The meeting also follows the leading event in the water sector WEX Global, which took place last week, from Monday, 27th to Wednesday, 29th May in Seville. LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 is a Life funded project to generate biogas in anaerobic digesters of water treatment plants by mixing putrescible organic waste (slurry, poultry, organic fractions, MSW, HORECA, etc.). This initiative is led by Global Omnium (Spain), in collaboration with the Finnova Foundation (Belgium) and Águas do Centro Litoral (Portugal). Aquacycl, on the other hand, is a US company working in wastewater treatment. During the WEX Global event, they showed great interest in visiting Global Omnium’s Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), located in Quart de Poblet, to exchange best practices regarding the water treatment process and the aerobic and anaerobic industrial facilities. The technical visit was also the perfect scenario to present the next side-events organised by LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0, framed in the European Sustainable Energy Week (to be specified) and European Green Week (10th June). About Aquacycl Aquacycl, founded in 2016, aims to create distributed wastewater treatment to address water scarcity and lack of infrastructure in low-income countries. Whether it’s high-strength industrial wastewater or community sanitation, Aquacycl makes light work of complex environmental challenges and helps industries transition to sustainable water management. Key roles include working for food and beverage manufacturers (reducing sewerage bills and eliminating wastewater transport), manure management (reducing GHG emissions and optimising manure management), distributed sanitation (to meet Net Zero targets) and removal of hydrocarbons (such as diesel, petrol, benzene, and phenol from wastewater). About WEX Global WEX Global occupies a unique place in the water conference calendar. Business meetings and conversations are at the heart of WEX, along with the principle of ‘exchange’; the sharing of ideas and philosophies, business cards, solutions and methodologies, to form strong networks on which to build stronger relationships. We will also host more than 80 speakers, from over 40 countries, who will discuss critical issues related to water, energy and climate change: smart circular solutions to build a better world. About Startup Europe Awards The Startup Europe Awards (SEUA) is an initiative promoted by the European Commission, launched by the Finnova Foundation in collaboration with StartUp Europe. It is an open innovation tool that allows companies to identify talented startups capable of solving today’s challenges in multiple areas. Its mission is to help Startups and Scaleups become more efficient, smarter, and more successful. These awards are a useful tool to promote knowledge sharing, add value to the entrepreneurial ecosystem and help startups to grow and position themselves in the market. About LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 This is a pilot demonstration project, funded by the LIFE programme and with a budget of more than 970,000 euros, which generates biogas in sewage treatment plant digesters by mixing putrescible organic waste (slurry, poultry, organic fractions, MSW, horeca, etc.), thus transforming sewage sludge into green energy through technology. The initiative led by Global Omnium, (Spain), in collaboration with the Finnova Foundation (Belgium) and Águas do Centro Litoral (Portugal) aims to become the most versatile digestion control tool on the market, achieving environmental and economic benefits through the production of biogas by making optimal use of waste. Thanks to this technology, it favours the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the use of sewage sludge generated in wastewater treatment processes, thus achieving a positive impact on the environment. This programme is easily scalable with other funds such as FEDER, NextGenerationEU or Repower EU. About Finnova Foundation Finnova is the Spanish-Belgian non-profit foundation based in Brussels and Spain, working for the promotion and development of innovation and entrepreneurship in the EU. Finnova’s experience in leading communication and dissemination activities for European projects is combined with a proven track record in business creation and entrepreneurship support programmes, such as accelerators, incubators and events, as well as its commitment to training and employability of young people.
LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 project attracts great interest at WEX Global, the leading event in the water sector

03/04/2023, Seville. Over the course of three days, the European project LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 has been at the centre of some of the key moments in the framework of WEX Global held in Seville from 27 to 29 March, the leading event in the water sector. Juanma Revuelta, CEO of Finnova, participated in one of the round tables on Tuesday, 28 March, where he explained this innovative technology. Revuelta’s conference began with the presentation of this project funded by the LIFE programme, which uses the Startup Europe methodology of public-private partnership and aims to generate biogas from the control and automation of water treatment plant digesters by mixing putrescible organic waste (slurry, poultry, organic fractions, MSW, HORECA, etc.). This initiative, led by Global Omnium (Spain), in collaboration with the Finnova Foundation (Belgium) and Águas do Centro Litoral (Portugal), transforms wastewater treatment plant sludge into green energy. On the third and final day of the event, Finnova’s CEO together with Adrián Noheda, EU Project Manager at Finnova, took part in the networking sessions, which included Bruno Abreu, CEO of SCUBIC and winner of Startup Europe Awards 2019; Jaime Barba, CEO of Idrica; Elías Colom, Marketing Director of Global Omnium; and João Simão, Executive Director of Portuguese Water Partnership (PWC). In the crucial context of a water sector event, the new LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 Startup Europe Awards were presented. These awards, which seek startups that provide solutions to the challenges of the ecological and energy transition, were launched for the first time on 17 February at Transfiere, the largest European forum for science, technology and innovation, held at the Palacio de Ferias y Congresos de Málaga (FYCMA). The awards ceremony will take place in the framework of S-Moving and Greencities, on 20 and 21 September at the Trade Fair and Congress Centre of Malaga (FYCMA). The winning proposal may become a real demonstration project as a LIFE, subsidised by the EU with up to 5 million euros. About WEX Global WEX Global occupies a unique place in the water conference calendar. Business meetings and conversations are at the heart of WEX, along with the principle of ‘exchange’; the sharing of ideas and philosophies, business cards, solutions and methodologies, to form strong networks on which to build stronger relationships. We will also host more than 80 speakers, from over 40 countries, who will discuss critical issues related to water, energy and climate change: smart circular solutions to build a better world. About Startup Europe Awards The Startup Europe Awards (SEUA) is an initiative promoted by the European Commission, launched by the Finnova Foundation in collaboration with StartUp Europe. It is an open innovation tool that allows companies to identify talented startups capable of solving today’s challenges in multiple areas. Its mission is to help Startups and Scaleups become more efficient, smarter, and more successful. These awards are a useful tool to promote knowledge sharing, add value to the entrepreneurial ecosystem and help startups to grow and position themselves in the market. About LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 This is a pilot demonstration project, funded by the LIFE programme and with a budget of more than 970,000 euros, which generates biogas in sewage treatment plant digesters by mixing putrescible organic waste (slurry, poultry, organic fractions, MSW, horeca, etc.), thus transforming sewage sludge into green energy through technology. The initiative led by Global Omnium, (Spain), in collaboration with the Finnova Foundation (Belgium) and Águas do Centro Litoral (Portugal) aims to become the most versatile digestion control tool on the market, achieving environmental and economic benefits through the production of biogas by making optimal use of waste. Thanks to this technology, it favours the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the use of sewage sludge generated in wastewater treatment processes, thus achieving a positive impact on the environment. This programme is easily scalable with other funds such as FEDER, NextGenerationEU or Repower EU. About Finnova Foundation Finnova is the Spanish-Belgian non-profit foundation based in Brussels and Spain, working for the promotion and development of innovation and entrepreneurship in the EU. Finnova’s experience in leading communication and dissemination activities for European projects is combined with a proven track record in business creation and entrepreneurship support programmes, such as accelerators, incubators and events, as well as its commitment to training and employability of young people.
Finnova encourages startups to apply for LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 Startup Europe Awards

“Improvement of biogas generation in Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTP) and their energy improvement” and “Sustainable technology for the valorisation of sludge from Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP)”. These are the two challenges that make up the LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 Startup Europe Awards, an open innovation methodology of public-private collaboration implemented by the Finnova Foundation, which promotes the identification of innovative solutions by entrepreneurs to SDG and EU challenges. The awards will be presented on 20 and 21 September in the framework of S-Moving and Greencities to be held at the Palacio de Ferias y Congresos de Málaga (FYCMA). Wastewater Treatment Plants, or WWTPs, are used to remove waste, floating fats, oils and grease, sand and other elements that may be present in the water, as well as settleable materials, both organic and inorganic, and biodegradable organic matter dissolved in the water. In recent years, WWTPs in Europe have achieved significant energy savings, but it is still a costly and intensive process, which involves a considerable amount of greenhouse gas emissions. The development of WWTPs in Spain is characterised by uneven regional policies. The first challenge “Improvement of biogas generation in Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTP) and their energy improvement” aims to achieve a first level technology applied to waste water treatment, which allows saving energy costs, and to look for companies and entrepreneurs that promote biogas generation, improve the efficiency of its production or its subsequent use in services such as public vehicle fleets with the objectives of circular economy and sustainable mobility as the main axis. The second challenge, “Sustainable technology for the valorisation of sludge from Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTP)”. seeks a project or initiative that provides a sustainable technological solution for the treatment and disposal of sewage sludge and its subsequent recovery. Two criteria that will be prioritised are that the technology must be sustainable and capable of transforming the limited use of sludge (typically agricultural applications such as fertilisers) into ways of generating value and profitability (e.g. co-production of biofuel). Registration for the challenges is now open and should be done through this link. Final in September The LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 Startup Europe Awards are an open innovation tool to identify disruptive startups that promote public-private collaboration and aim to raise awareness of the importance of self-entrepreneurship as a driver of employment. The call for these challenges was launched at the LIFE EDODIGESTION 2.0 – Synergies towards Technology Transfer seminar held on 17 February at Transfiere (FYCMA). The final will be held on Wednesday, 20 and Thursday, 21 September in the framework of Greencities and S-Moving at the Trade Fair and Congress Centre of Malaga (FYCMA). The challenges posed are committed to innovative entrepreneurship in the field of circular economy, energy efficiency and the fight against climate change. In short, stratups that provide innovative solutions to the challenges of the ecological transition. It is also worth mentioning that the innovative startups that present themselves will be able to promote European demonstration projects in programmes such as LIFE and Horizon Europe with grants of between 500,000 and 15 million euros. Finnova at Wex Global Finnova has been present at Wex Global from 27th to 29th March in order to present the Life Ecodigestion 2.0 project and encourage companies to participate in the LIFE CODIGESTION 2.0 Startup Europe Awards and provide innovative solutions to the challenges of ecological transition, energy efficiency and the fight against climate change. In addition, on the afternoon of 28 March, Juanma Revuelta, CEO of Finnova, presented the European Life Ecodigestion 2.0 project at a round table moderated by Frank Rogalia, Director of Innovation and Technology at Aqualia, and comprising Helge Daebel, Emerald Partner at Technology Ventures; Juliette Douglas, Business Development Liaison at Water Alliance; and Beverley Ferrara, European representative of The Water Council. About Startup Europe Awards The Startup Europe Awards (SEUA) is an initiative promoted by the European Commission, launched by the Finnova Foundation in collaboration with StartUp Europe. It is an open innovation tool that allows companies to identify talented startups capable of solving today’s challenges in multiple areas. Its mission is to help Startups and Scaleups become more efficient, smarter and more successful. These awards are a useful tool to promote knowledge sharing, add value to the entrepreneurial ecosystem and help startups to grow and position themselves in the market. About LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 This is a pilot demonstration project, funded by the LIFE programme and with a budget of more than 970,000 euros, which generates biogas in sewage treatment plant digesters by mixing putrescible organic waste (slurry, poultry, organic fractions, MSW, horeca, etc.), thus transforming sewage sludge into green energy through technology. The initiative led by Global Omnium, (Spain), in collaboration with the Finnova Foundation (Belgium) and Águas do Centro Litoral (Portugal) aims to become the most versatile digestion control tool on the market, achieving environmental and economic benefits through the production of biogas by making optimal use of waste. Thanks to this technology, it favours the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the use of sewage sludge generated in wastewater treatment processes, thus achieving a positive impact on the environment. This programme is easily scalable with other funds such as FEDER, NextGenerationEU or Repower EU. About Finnova Foundation Finnova is the Spanish-Belgian non-profit foundation based in Brussels and Spain, working for the promotion and development of innovation and entrepreneurship in the EU. Finnova’s experience in leading communication and dissemination activities for European projects is combined with a proven track record in business creation and entrepreneurship support programmes, such as accelerators, incubators and events, as well as its commitment to training and employability of young people.
The European LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 project at WEX Global

29/03/2023, Seville. Yesterday, Tuesday 28th March, Juanma Revuelta, CEO of Finnova, presented the European Life Ecodigestion 2.0 project at a conference held as part of WEX Global, the leading event in the water sector. In the roundtable he also announced the next edition of the Life Ecodigestion 2.0 Startup Europe Awards, which seek startups that provide innovative solutions to the challenges of ecological transition, energy efficiency and the fight against climate change. The panel was moderated by Frank Rogalia, Director of Innovation and Technology at Aqualia, and included Helge Daebel, Emerald Partner at Technology Ventures; Juliette Douglas, Business Development Liaison at Water Alliance; Beverley Ferrara, European representative of The Water Council; and Juanma Revuelta, CEO of Finnova. The session began with brief presentations by each of the panellists, followed by a question and answer session, analysis and discussion in which both the audience and the panel of experts were able to participate. The LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 project Revuelta’s intervention began with the presentation of Life Ecodigestion 2.0, a project financed by the Life programme to generate biogas in water treatment plant digesters by mixing putrescible organic waste (slurry, poultry, organic fractions, MSW, HORECA, etc.). This initiative, led by Global Omnium (Spain), in collaboration with the Finnova Foundation (Belgium) and Águas do Centro Litoral (Portugal), transforms wastewater treatment plant sludge into green energy. The technology used in LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 “combines digitalisation, climate change and the European Green Pact with the use of Artificial Intelligence”, explained Finnova’s CEO in his speech. This innovative European project also uses the Startup Europe methodology of public-private partnership and digital tools to control and automate the digesters of wastewater treatment plants with the aim of transforming putrescible organic waste into biogas. LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 Startup Europe Awards Revuelta also presented the new LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 Startup Europe Awards, launched on 17 February at Transfiere, the largest European forum for science, technology and innovation, held at the Palacio de Ferias y Congresos de Málaga (FYCMA). These awards seek startups that provide innovative solutions to the challenges of ecological transition, energy efficiency and the fight against climate change. These SEUAs are made up of two challenges. The first one: “Improvement of biogas generation in Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP) and energy improvement” aims to achieve a technology for wastewater treatment (biogas generation), which allows saving energy costs and improving the efficiency of its production. The second, “Sustainable technology for the valorisation of sludge from Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTP)” seeks a technological solution for the treatment and disposal of sewage sludge for its subsequent valorisation, for example, as a co-production of biofuel. The awards ceremony will take place on 20 and 21 September at the Palacio de Ferias y Congresos de Málaga (FYCMA) in the framework of S-Moving and Greencities. The winning proposal may become a real demonstration project as a LIFE, funded by the EU with up to 5 million euros. Below, you can register to participate in the LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 call for proposals. About WEX Global WEX Global occupies a unique place in the water conference calendar. Business meetings and conversations are at the heart of WEX, along with the principle of ‘exchange’; the sharing of ideas and philosophies, business cards, solutions and methodologies, to form strong networks on which to build stronger relationships. We will also host more than 80 speakers, from over 40 countries, who will discuss critical issues related to water, energy and climate change: smart circular solutions to build a better world. About Startup Europe Awards The Startup Europe Awards (SEUA) is an initiative promoted by the European Commission, launched by the Finnova Foundation in collaboration with StartUp Europe. It is an open innovation tool that allows companies to identify talented startups capable of solving today’s challenges in multiple areas. Its mission is to help Startups and Scaleups become more efficient, smarter and more successful. These awards are a useful tool to promote knowledge sharing, add value to the entrepreneurial ecosystem and help startups to grow and position themselves in the market. About LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 This is a pilot demonstration project, funded by the LIFE programme and with a budget of more than 970,000 euros, which generates biogas in sewage treatment plant digesters by mixing putrescible organic waste (slurry, poultry, organic fractions, MSW, horeca, etc.), thus transforming sewage sludge into green energy through technology. The initiative led by Global Omnium, (Spain), in collaboration with the Finnova Foundation (Belgium) and Águas do Centro Litoral (Portugal) aims to become the most versatile digestion control tool on the market, achieving environmental and economic benefits through the production of biogas by making optimal use of waste. Thanks to this technology, it favours the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the use of sewage sludge generated in wastewater treatment processes, thus achieving a positive impact on the environment. This programme is easily scalable with other funds such as FEDER, NextGenerationEU or Repower EU. About Finnova Foundation Finnova is the Spanish-Belgian non-profit foundation based in Brussels and Spain, working for the promotion and development of innovation and entrepreneurship in the EU. Finnova’s experience in leading communication and dissemination activities for European projects is combined with a proven track record in business creation and entrepreneurship support programmes, such as accelerators, incubators and events, as well as its commitment to training and employability of young people.
LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 presented at UNWTO Startup Community-Spain launch event

28/03/2023, Madrid. Last Wednesday, March 22nd, Juanma Revuelta, CEO of Finnova, presented the European project Life Ecodigestion 2.0 and the new Life Ecodigestion 2.0 Startup Europe Awards at the UNWTO Startup Community launch event, held at the Google for Startup Campus in Madrid. Thanks to the innovative technology of the Life Ecodigestion 2.0 project, funded by the Life programme, biogas can be generated in anaerobic digesters of water treatment plants by mixing putrescible organic waste (slurry, poultry, organic fractions, MSW, HORECA, etc.). This initiative, led by Global Omnium (Spain), in collaboration with the Finnova Foundation (Belgium) and Águas do Centro Litoral (Portugal), transforms wastewater treatment plant sludge into green energy. Life Ecodigestión 2.0 is therefore committed to turning the use of biogas into a reliable source of energy that can meet industrial energy demand. In this way, the target of achieving at least 27% of energy from renewable sources in the European Union’s Agenda 2030 will also be met. Life Ecodigestion 2.0 Startup Europe Awards Revuelta’s speech was also the stage for the presentation of the new Life Ecodigestion 2.0 Startup Europe Awards. These awards were presented for the first time on 17 February at Transfiere, the largest European forum for science, technology and innovation, held at the Palacio de Ferias y Congresos de Málaga (FYCMA). This edition is looking for startups that provide innovative solutions to the challenges of ecological transition, energy efficiency and the fight against climate change. To this end, two challenges have been set: “Improvement of biogas generation in Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP) and energy improvement” to achieve a technology for wastewater treatment (biogas generation) and “Sustainable technology for the valuation of sludge from Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP)” which seeks a technological solution for the treatment and disposal of sewage sludge for subsequent recovery (co-production of biofuel). The awards ceremony will take place in the framework of S-Moving and Greencities, on 20 and 21 September at the Trade Fair and Congress Centre of Malaga (FYCMA). The winning proposal may become a real demonstration project as a LIFE, granted by the EU with up to 5 million euros. Below, you can register to participate in the LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 call and find out more about the prizes and challenges. About UNWTO Startup Community UNWTO Startup Community is a community launched on 22 March 2023 at the Google Startup Campus in Madrid by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), in collaboration with Area101. The main objective of this initiative is to connect, energise and follow up startups finalists of the competitions of the UNWTO, the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism. About Startup Europe Awards The Startup Europe Awards (SEUA) is an initiative promoted by the European Commission, launched by the Finnova Foundation in collaboration with StartUp Europe. It is an open innovation tool that allows companies to identify talented startups capable of solving today’s challenges in multiple areas. Its mission is to help Startups and Scaleups become more efficient, smarter and more successful. These awards are a useful tool to promote knowledge sharing, add value to the entrepreneurial ecosystem and help startups to grow and position themselves in the market. About LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 This is a pilot demonstration project, funded by the LIFE programme and with a budget of more than 970,000 euros, which generates biogas in sewage treatment plant digesters by mixing putrescible organic waste (slurry, poultry, organic fractions, MSW, horeca, etc.), thus transforming sewage sludge into green energy through technology. The initiative led by Global Omnium, (Spain), in collaboration with the Finnova Foundation (Belgium) and Águas do Centro Litoral (Portugal) aims to become the most versatile digestion control tool on the market, achieving environmental and economic benefits through the production of biogas by making optimal use of waste. Thanks to this technology, it favours the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the use of sewage sludge generated in wastewater treatment processes, thus achieving a positive impact on the environment. This programme is easily scalable with other funds such as FEDER, NextGenerationEU or Repower EU. About Finnova Foundation Finnova is the Spanish-Belgian non-profit foundation based in Brussels and Spain, working for the promotion and development of innovation and entrepreneurship in the EU. Finnova’s experience in leading communication and dissemination activities for European projects is combined with a proven track record in business creation and entrepreneurship support programmes, such as accelerators, incubators and events, as well as its commitment to training and employability of young people.
LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 project will be one of the leading conferences at WEX Global, the leading event for the water sector

27/03/2023, Seville. Tomorrow, Tuesday 28th March, from 17h00 to 18h45 CEST, Juan Manuel Revuelta, CEO of Finnova, will present the European project Life Ecodigestión 2.0 in a round table that will be held in the framework of WEX Global, one of the leading events in the water sector. During his speech, he will also announce the new edition of the Life Ecodigestión 2.0 Startup Europe Awards, in search of startups that provide innovative solutions to the challenges of ecological transition, energy efficiency and the fight against climate change. Finnova’s CEO will explain the European LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 project financed by the LIFE programme to generate biogas in water treatment plant digesters by mixing putrescible organic waste (slurry, poultry, organic fractions, MSW, HORECA, etc.). This initiative, led by Global Omnium (Spain), in collaboration with the Finnova Foundation (Belgium) and Águas do Centro Litoral (Portugal), transforms wastewater treatment plant sludge into green energy. LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 technology Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP) are used to remove waste, floating fats, oils and grease, sand and other elements that may be present in the water. WWTPs have made progress in recent years in terms of energy savings, but it is still a costly process that produces large amounts of greenhouse gas emissions. LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 is an innovative European project that uses the Startup Europe methodology of public-private partnership and digital tools to offer an alternative to organic waste in landfills. Thanks to this technology it is possible to control and automate the digesters of wastewater treatment plants to transform putrescible organic waste into biogas. The roundtable, moderated by Frank Rogalia, Director of Innovation and Technology at Aqualia, will feature Helge Daebel, Emerald Partner at Technology Ventures; Juliette Douglas, Business Development Liaison at Water Alliance; Beverley Ferrara, European representative of The Water Council; and Juan Manuel Revuelta, CEO of Finnova. This interactive forum will feature short presentations of the six innovative technologies these companies are working on. Each will be accompanied by a panel discussion, which will include a question and answer session, analysis and debate in which both the audience and the panel of experts will be able to participate. This panel will also decide the winner of the annual WEX Global Innovation Forum Award, which will be presented at the gala dinner the following day, Wednesday 28th of March. New call for Startup Europe Awards At the conference, Revuelta will also present the new LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 Startup Europe Awards, launched on 17 February at Transfiere, the largest European forum for science, technology and innovation, held at the Palacio de Ferias y Congresos de Málaga (FYCMA). Through these awards, startups are sought that provide innovative solutions to the challenges of ecological transition, energy efficiency and the fight against climate change. These SEUAs are made up of two challenges. The first one: “Improvement of biogas generation in Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP) and energy improvement” aims to achieve a technology for wastewater treatment (biogas generation), which allows saving energy costs and improving the efficiency of its production. The second, “Sustainable technology for the valorisation of sludge from Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTP)” seeks a technological solution for the treatment and disposal of sewage sludge for its subsequent valorisation, for example, as a co-production of biofuel. The awards ceremony will take place in the framework of S-Moving and Greencities, on 20 and 21 September at the Trade Fair and Congress Centre of Malaga (FYCMA). The winning proposal may become a real demonstration project as a LIFE, subsidised by the EU with up to 5 million euros. You can register below to participate in the LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 call and find out more about the prizes and challenges. About WEX Global WEX Global occupies a unique place in the water conference calendar. Business meetings and conversations are at the heart of WEX, along with the principle of ‘exchange’; the sharing of ideas and philosophies, business cards, solutions and methodologies, to form strong networks on which to build stronger relationships. We will also host more than 80 speakers, from over 40 countries, who will discuss critical issues related to water, energy and climate change: smart circular solutions to build a better world. About Startup Europe Awards The Startup Europe Awards (SEUA) is an initiative promoted by the European Commission, launched by the Finnova Foundation in collaboration with StartUp Europe. It is an open innovation tool that allows companies to identify talented startups capable of solving today’s challenges in multiple areas. Its mission is to help Startups and Scaleups become more efficient, smarter and more successful. These awards are a useful tool to promote knowledge sharing, add value to the entrepreneurial ecosystem and help startups to grow and position themselves in the market. About LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 This is a pilot demonstration project, funded by the LIFE programme and with a budget of more than 970,000 euros, which generates biogas in sewage treatment plant digesters by mixing putrescible organic waste (slurry, poultry, organic fractions, MSW, horeca, etc.), thus transforming sewage sludge into green energy through technology. The initiative led by Global Omnium, (Spain), in collaboration with the Finnova Foundation (Belgium) and Águas do Centro Litoral (Portugal) aims to become the most versatile digestion control tool on the market, achieving environmental and economic benefits through the production of biogas by making optimal use of waste. Thanks to this technology, it favours the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the use of sewage sludge generated in wastewater treatment processes, thus achieving a positive impact on the environment. This programme is easily scalable with other funds such as FEDER, NextGenerationEU or Repower EU. About Finnova Foundation Finnova is the Spanish-Belgian non-profit foundation based in Brussels and Spain, working for the promotion and development of innovation and entrepreneurship in the EU. Finnova’s experience in leading communication and dissemination activities for European projects is combined with a proven track record in business creation and entrepreneurship support programmes, such as accelerators, incubators and events, as well as its commitment to training and employability of
LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 at the Diputación de Málaga in the NEXTOURISM CLUB

24/03/2023, Malaga. Last Friday March 24th, Juanma Revuelta, CEO of Finnova, has presented the Life Ecodigestión 2.0 project in a meeting with Pedro Barrionuevo, director of the Department of Tourism Development and Planning Costa del Sol of the Diputación de Málaga, and the tourism board of the Malaga coast in the framework of the XX Anniversary EXMDET of the NEXTOURISM CLUB. Finnova’s CEO presented the innovative technology of LIFE Ecodigestión 2.0, a European project financed by the LIFE Program that generates biogas in the WWTP plant located in Valencia, by mixing putrescible organic waste (slurry, poultry, organic fractions, MSW, horeca, etc). “This makes it possible to transform the sludge from wastewater treatment plants into green energy through technology,” explained Revuelta. The initiative led by Global Omnium, (Spain), in collaboration with the Finnova Foundation (Belgium) and Águas do Centro Litoral (Portugal) “aims to become the most versatile digestion control tool on the market by achieving environmental and economic benefits through the production of biogas through optimal waste exploitation. Thanks to this technology, it favors the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the exploitation of sewage sludge generated in wastewater treatment processes, thus achieving a positive impact on the environment,” as he remarked. Biogas from organic waste Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP) are used to eliminate waste, floating grease and oil, sand and other elements that may be contained in the water. In recent years, these treatment plants have made great progress in terms of energy savings, but it is still a high-cost process that produces large amounts of greenhouse gas emissions. LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0, which uses the Startup Europe public-private partnership methodology, is an innovative European project that uses digital tools to offer an alternative to organic waste in landfills. This technology makes it possible to control and automate the digesters of wastewater treatment plants to transform putrescible organic waste from the HORECA sector into biogas. Innovation and European funds During the meeting, other topics of great interest have been discussed such as textile waste management, organic waste and renewable energy and electricity in the tourism sector. The participation of the Finnova Foundation was based on talking about innovation in destination product, open innovation, startups and European funds. LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 – Startup Europe Awards In addition, Revuelta presented the new LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 Startup Europe Awards, launched on February 17 at Transfiere, the largest European forum for science, technology and innovation, held at the Trade Fair and Congress Center of Malaga (FYCMA), through these awards are looking for startups that provide innovative solutions to the challenges of ecological transition, energy efficiency and combating climate change. These SEUA are made up of two challenges. The first one: “Improvement of biogas generation in Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP) and energy improvement” aims to achieve a technology for wastewater treatment (biogas generation), which saves energy costs and improves the efficiency of its production. The second, “Sustainable technology for the valorization of sludge from wastewater treatment plants (WWTP)” seeks a technological solution for the treatment and disposal of sewage sludge for its subsequent valorization, for example, as co-production of biofuel. The awards ceremony will be held within the framework of S-Moving and Greencities, on September 20 and 21 at the Trade Fairs and Congress Center of Malaga (FYCMA). The winning proposal may become a real demonstration project as LIFE, subsidized by the EU with up to 5 million euros. You can register below to participate in the LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 call and learn more about the prizes and challenges. About NEXTOURISM CLUB NEXTOURISM Club is a tourism innovation group that meets periodically to discuss the challenges of sustainable, digital, mature tourism destinations. This group of professionals, with more than 30 years of experience in the tourism sector, promotes public-private partnerships, offering a multidisciplinary vision between hoteliers, investors, managers, consultants and other experts in the sector. The objective of these meetings is to provide strategic ideas for the future, promote innovation in tourism and bring together the needs of trends in the regulatory framework or European funds. About Startup Europe Awards The Startup Europe Awards (SEUA) is an initiative driven by the European Commission, implemented by the Finnova Foundation in collaboration with StartUp Europe. It is an open innovation tool that allows companies to identify talented startups capable of solving today’s challenges in multiple areas. Its mission is to help Startups and Scaleups become more efficient, smarter and more successful. These awards are a useful tool to promote knowledge sharing, add value to the entrepreneurial ecosystem and help startups to grow and position themselves in the market. About LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 It is a demonstration pilot project, funded by the LIFE programme and with a budget of more than 970,000 euros, which generates biogas in water treatment plant digesters by mixing putrescible organic waste (slurry, poultry, organic fractions, MSW, horeca, etc.), thus transforming wastewater treatment plant sludge into green energy through technology. The initiative led by Global Omnium, (Spain), in collaboration with the Finnova Foundation (Belgium) and Águas do Centro Litoral (Portugal) aims to become the most versatile digestion control tool on the market by achieving environmental and economic benefits through the production of biogas through optimal waste exploitation. Thanks to this technology, it favours the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the exploitation of sewage sludge generated in wastewater treatment processes, thus achieving a positive impact on the environment. This programme is easily scalable with other funds such as ERDF, NextGenerationEU or Repower EU. About Finnova Foundation Finnova is the Spanish-Belgian non-profit foundation based in Brussels and Spain, working for the promotion and development of innovation and entrepreneurship in the EU. Finnova’s experience in leading communication and dissemination activities of European projects is combined with a solid proven track record in business creation and entrepreneurial support programmes, such as accelerators, incubators and events, as well as its commitment to training and employability of young people. 24/03/2023, Malaga. Last Friday March 24th, Juanma Revuelta, CEO of Finnova, has presented the Life Ecodigestión 2.0 project in a
LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 Commemorates International Water Day

This March 22nd, from LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 we want to commemorate World Water Day. The current context of wastewater treatment requires a great acceleration for change. According to the United Nations statement in 2015, the entire world committed to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 6, as part of the 2030 Agenda. With the promise that all the world’s population will have access to water and sanitation, safely managed, by 2030. At LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 we aim to boost water treatment as a sustainable and planet-friendly procedure. The technology implemented in our WTPP allows the prevention and reuse of waste, using renewable energy sources, such as biogas, for the operation of machinery. Water treatment plants require a transition in terms of the technology they implement, making it more sustainable. The anaerobic system implemented in our WWP is a further step towards sustainability in wastewater depuration. Due to its low energy consumption, low chemical use and reduction of operating costs, the use of anaerobic wastewater treatment plants is a further step towards sustainability in wastewater treatment. It is noteworthy that the volumetric loads used in anaerobic systems can reach up to 25 kg COD/m3-d, which allows the treatment of biodegradable wastewater with a high COD content and reduces the space requirements for its implementation. Finally, anaerobic processes also have the advantage of being able to market the granular biomass produced, as seed in the reactors for the start-up of other plants, thus significantly reducing the cost associated with sludge treatment. In short, water finds itself at the core of sustainable development and it is fundamental for socio-economic development, healthy ecosystems and the wellbeing of the population. Water treatment is crucially important, considering the influence it plays in the aforementioned. From LFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 we will continue to contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the European Green Pact and the guidelines set by the SDGs, giving rise to a sustainable and environmentally sustainable water treatment.
Improve biogas generation in Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTP) and energy improvement in Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTP).

• A new call for Startup Europe Awards was launched in the seminar Synergies towards a Technology Transfer by LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 celebrated in Transfiere on the 17th of February in 2023. •One of the main challenges focuses on improving the generation of biogas in WWTPs and on the energy improvement in WWTPs Last week during Transfiere, the largest European forum for science, technology and innovation, held at the Palacio de Ferias y Congresos de Málaga (FYCMA), several challenges were launched for a new edition of LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 – Startup Europe Awards. One of those was a Challenge to improve biogas generation in Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTP) and energy improvement in Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTP). Waste Water Treatment Plants, or WWTPs, are used to remove waste, floating grease and oil, sand and all coarse elements that may be contained in the water; to remove settleable materials, both organic and inorganic; and to remove biodegradable organic matter dissolved in water. Even if nowadays theWWTPs in Europe have achieved significant energy savings, it is still a costly and intensive process, which also involves a considerable amount of greenhouse gas emissions. The development of WWTPs in Spain is characterised by its unevenness, due in most cases to the regional policies applied. Therefore, we seek to achieve a first class technology applied to wastewater treatment, which will save energy costs. Besides that this challenge also soughts companies and entrepreneurs that promote the generation of biogas, improve the efficiency of its production or its subsequent use in services such as public vehicle fleets, which allow them to meet the objectives of circular economy and sustainable mobility. The call for these challenges was launched in the seminar LIFE EDODIGESTION 2.0 – Synergies towards a Technology Transfer on the 17th of February, within the Transfiere Forum. These awards are an open innovation tool to identify disruptive startups that promotes public-private collaboration and raises awareness of the importance of self-entrepreneurship as a driver of employment. The final of this call will be held in September within the framework of Greencities and S-Moving in Fycma, and the challenges posed are committed to innovative entrepreneurship in the field of circular economy, energy efficiency and the fight against climate change. The Finnova Foundation is looking for those startups that are providing innovative solutions to the challenges of the ecological transition. About Startup Europe Awards The Startup Europe Awards (SEUA) is an initiative driven by the European Commission, implemented by the Finnova Foundation in collaboration with StartUp Europe. It is an open innovation tool that allows companies to identify talented startups capable of solving today’s challenges in multiple areas. Its mission is to help Startups and Scaleups become more efficient, smarter and more successful. These awards are a useful tool to promote knowledge sharing, add value to the entrepreneurial ecosystem and help startups to grow and position themselves in the market. About LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 It is a demonstration pilot project, funded by the LIFE programme and with a budget of more than 970,000 euros, which generates biogas in water treatment plant digesters by mixing putrescible organic waste (slurry, poultry, organic fractions, MSW, horeca, etc.), thus transforming wastewater treatment plant sludge into green energy through technology. The initiative led by Global Omnium, (Spain), in collaboration with the Finnova Foundation (Belgium) and Águas do Centro Litoral (Portugal) aims to become the most versatile digestion control tool on the market by achieving environmental and economic benefits through the production of biogas through optimal waste exploitation. Thanks to this technology, it favours the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the exploitation of sewage sludge generated in wastewater treatment processes, thus achieving a positive impact on the environment. This programme is easily scalable with other funds such as ERDF, NextGenerationEU or Repower EU. About Finnova Foundation Finnova is the Spanish-Belgian non-profit foundation based in Brussels and Spain, working for the promotion and development of innovation and entrepreneurship in the EU. Finnova’s experience in leading communication and dissemination activities of European projects is combined with a solid proven track record in business creation and entrepreneurial support programmes, such as accelerators, incubators and events, as well as its commitment to training and employability of young people.