I have recently invested in Wastetide (*), a company using images and ai for waste management by industrial clients. I interviewed Nicolas Brien, its CEO and Founder.
What prompted you to launch?
“I realized industrial waste was still managed with clipboards and guesswork. If you align 30 people in front of one pile of waste, you will get 30 different answers. Each person will have a different idea about the price. I wanted to bring AI into one of the last blind spots of sustainability.”
What problem(s) are you solving?
“We help manufacturers see exactly what’s in their waste streams. That means less landfill, more recycling, and lower costs — without lab tests or weeks of waiting.”
What is right away next for your company?
“We’re rolling out WasteScan in multiple factories across Europe. We are building proof points to show that AI can deliver both environmental impact and financial ROI. If industrial companies in the US are reading your blog, I am telling them: don’t be shy and reach out to us, we want to get ready for the US market and are offering great value”
Which are / will be your products?
“Our flagship product turns a few smartphone pictures into a standard-compliant waste report. Our most recent extension turns a few waste management invoices into cost cutting solutions.”
What is your business model?
“A SaaS model — companies subscribe per site for our AI tools, with add-ons for advanced analytics and ERP/ESG integration.”
What’s your current greatest challenge?
“Perplexity. I listen to our clients over first meetings “it’s too good to be true”. Many people think waste data is expensive and slow to collect. We’re showing it can be instant, cheap, and precise. And turn waste management costs into revenues.”
Are you satisfied with your rate of progress?
“Yes and no. We’re ahead of schedule on tech and partnerships, but the problem is so big, we always want to go faster.”
I have a big electricity bill and a counter to check that electricity consumption does not go through the roof. And I used to have a massive waste management bill, completely out of control. WasteTide changed that.”
WasteTide client
(*) I am an early investor in WasteTide