Smallops was founded in 2018 by the three founders, Íñigo (Vitoria), María (Gipuzkoa), and Rubén (Elche), at their respective universities. After a conversation between Iñigo and Rubén, the idea of starting a company emerged based on the final project Rubén was working on. Íñigo and María were about to take a market research trip to India with another company, a result of their respective studies. It was then that the idea of using nanoparticles to solve public health problems related to water quality in the country arose.
María, who had experience in this field, joined the team, and they conducted their first market analysis in India and China. At the same time, Rubén completed the design of the production plant for his final project. After the initial market analysis, they realized the difficulty of entering the water treatment sector, which led them to analyze other markets where nanoparticles could have useful applications.
This is how the biogas production sector crossed the path of its founders. The growth potential in Spain was significant, and initiatives were needed to develop it. This analysis allowed Rubén to focus his master’s degree on evaluating the application of nanoparticles in improving biogas production, conducting several experimental trials and including them in his master’s thesis, while Íñigo and María focused on developing the business model and financial plan. Thus, on March 2, 2020, they finally established the company in Badajoz. This is what they told El Referente.
