Creating viable rice waste enterprises through design collaboration that honours cultural relations and regenerative economic models.
The collaboration between Design Ecologies Ltd (UK) and Dr. Adhi Nugraha’s studio (Indonesia) demonstrates how regenerative design can reshape material economies from the ground up. Our project has catalysed a bio-waste valorisation startup that aims to creates new value streams within existing agricultural systems. During the course of this project, Design Ecologies Ltd has been accepted onto the #Breakthrough Founders (Innovate UK) idea pathway.
Breakthrough Founders is a UK-wide investor readiness programme built for founders that are traditionally underrepresented in investment. Over the next 6 months, we will gain access to training, workshops, coaching, peer support and access to an investor network that would like to partner with us transforming post-harvest rice waste, that is typically burned or discarded, into viable design materials.
The work establishes Indonesia as an emerging hub for rice-waste innovation and circular material futures, strengthening regional cooperation around agricultural ecology. Rather than extracting resources, this economic model circulates value: waste becomes material, materials generate livelihoods, and profits can reinvest in the communities and landscapes that sustain the entire cycle.
The archive serves as both practical and theoretical resource, informing next stages as we seek incubation funding and explore ethical trade practices that link circular economy principles with our community-based networks.