TRIBUTERRE, a happy startup at Syntec Numérique

Tributerre, digital technology at the service of the environment in the circular economy

After working for 10 years in the IT sector, Ludovic Degand, founder of Tributerre, was quick to grasp the importance of sustainable development. At the same time, as part of his personal activities, Ludovic Degand became interested in the earth and its preservation through natural resources derived from composting. He therefore decided to train as a “master composter”, in order to master the process of composting organic matter, learn about household bio-waste, materials and techniques, as well as the different uses to which it can be put to enrich the soil.

It all started with the debates and promulgation of the French Energy Transition Act in 2015, which made it compulsory to collect and recycle biowaste separately. Combining his professional experience with his personal convictions, Ludovic Degand saw the value of creating a citizen-based recycling channel for food waste (biowaste), using digital technology and connected objects in particular. Tributerre was born.

The company is committed to a social mission of preserving the environment and natural resources, not only through its consulting activities, but also through research and development projects aimed at reinventing the practice of recycling. The company’s vision is that the citizen should play the 1st role in recycling. Tributerre supports this shift towards the circular economy through 3 activities:

• Consulting and operational support: To support the transition to a circular economy and collective/inter-professional initiatives
• Participatory composting:To co-construct an innovative and competitive biowaste management system for local authorities. To offer an adventureenthousiasmanteau the citizen, the central player in the solution, with the support of digital technology and local players.
• Design, conception and distribution of equipment:To get citizens enthusiastic about recycling.

Tributerre, or the benefits of union involvement in Syntec Numérique for a start-up company

Beyond the business aspects, Ludovic Degand is interested in and invested in his ecosystem, which has enabled him to form a positive view of unions in general. However, although defending the profession is at the heart of Syntec Numérique’s actions, Ludovic Degand was particularly surprised by Syntec Numérique’s commitment to services, deployed since the end of 2015 in its “5000 startup” plan. Among this offering, RC Pro (Operational and Professional Civil Liability) caught his attention, as it protects companies from the financial consequences of harm that could be caused to third parties/customers and covers any defense costs.

Another remarkable feature, according to Ludovic Degand, is the support offered by Syntec Numérique in the development and pursuit of projects, thanks to facilitated technological partnerships. Tributerre’s search for prototyping partners was particularly rapid and fruitful, saving a considerable amount of time.

In the short term, Tributerre’s development should continue with a search for funding, of between €350k and €1m, in particular to launch the digitization phases, loyalty/gamification programs and the first experiments planned for spring 2017. In the longer term, Ludovic Degand hopes to be able to invest in our trade association to give back to the organization what he has been able to receive, and to support future startup members in their endeavors, a well-mastered loop operation honored by players in the circular economy.