Young Innovators Success Stories: Tackling food waste with microorganisms

While 24-year-old Abiel Ma was conducting research for his Master’s degree at the University of Cambridge, he found there was a lack of innovative food waste recycling solutions in the UK.

This inspired the launch of his startup, Vuala, and the development of the Vuala X1, a uniquely designed waste bin. The Vuala X1 uses specialised microorganisms and bacteria to automatically liquify and separate food waste from other waste. This unique process can prevent 100% food waste from going to landfill, cuts carbon emissions by 75% per tonne, and produces raw material for biogas and animal feed production within hours, all on site.

Vuala’s goal is to make the UK a global leader in food waste recycling by reducing 100 million tonnes of CO2 over the next decade.

Using financial support to bring ideas to life

The Innovate UK Young Innovators Award came very early on in Vuala’s development. “At that stage it was simply an idea,” said Abiel.

The financial support and networking opportunities enabled the company to build its first prototypes, providing the flexibility that was otherwise unattainable. Abiel explained they were able to improve the design and functionality before bringing the Vuala X1 to market and take the prototype into commercial testing to gain feedback from potential customers.

“Essentially, the Innovate UK Young Innovators Award helped us to build Vuala’s foundation, setting us up for further development and growth. Without this funding, the journey would have been much more challenging,” Abiel said.

Vuala has several pilot installations underway in London and Cambridge, has expanded its team, and launched a cloud-based tracking platform in March 2024. The company also manages an R&D centre in Battersea and has partnered with several institutional investors.

“We aspire to be the cutting-edge environmental technology company that people enjoy working at,” Abiel said. “Vaula X1 will help organisations achieve 100% food waste recycling.”

Learning new skills as a CEO

Vuala was featured at COP28 in 2023 and recently signed a partnership with Heathrow Airport, alongside winning numerous awards and even being invited to Downing Street.

These achievements have shaped Abiel into a confident entrepreneur, blending systematic thinking with inventive problem-solving. He has recently transitioned from founder to CEO, which brings its own unique challenges.

Abiel said “As the company grows, I’ve had to embrace the broader responsibilities that come with my role. I’ve learned to delegate more effectively, trust my team to execute the details, and concentrate on long-term success.”

“I’ve grown into someone who not only generates new ideas but also takes actionable steps to bring them to life,” Abiel explained. “I’ve developed a strong ability to navigate hurdles with resilience and I’m always looking for creative yet practical solutions to problems.”

This approach allows him to tackle obstacles with a greater understanding of the sustainability industry as a whole. “I now focus not just on the ‘what’, but also the ‘how’ and ‘why’ when innovating,” he said.

Advice for prospective applicants

For other aspiring innovators considering applying for Innovate UK support, Abeil recommends having a strong strategy from the outset. “It’s essential to have a clear plan on how the funds will be used,” he said.

“Prospective awardees should focus on activities that have the most potential to drive their business forward, such as developing prototypes, making products manufacture-ready, or investing in key talent.”

Abiel also encourages participants to actively engage in networking. “Make the most of your cohort by collaborating, exchanging ideas and learning from others facing similar challenges. Building relationships with fellow innovators can prove invaluable throughout your entrepreneurial journey.”