An interview with Richard Scott, Founder of Monitor of Things.
After a particularly cold night in his camper van, Richard Scott had an idea to ensure others wouldn’t have the same experience.
With the support of his network, former colleagues, and Create Growth N2 (CGN2), Monitor of Things – a business founded by engineers with a shared passion for off-grid living – recently launched its first product.
Tell us a little about how your business idea was formed.
It all began about 20 years ago after a very cold, power-drained stay in my camper van. I’d installed a diesel heater, but after the first night, my battery went flat, and I found myself with no power and no heat. It was a miserable experience, and I remember thinking, ‘There must be a better way to manage power in off-grid situations.’
That night really ignited my passion for bettering battery usage and power management in camper vans and, little did I know, eventually it would turn into a business.
How did that experience lead to the Monitor of Things?
With a degree in Electrical & Electronic Engineering from the University of Leeds, I began my career as a software engineer and progressed to become a chief software architect then an engineering manager.
Fast forward to 2016, when I met up with a group of former colleagues. We were having a few drinks at the pub, chatting about the common challenges we all faced living off-grid in our camper vans. The issues we discussed – keeping food cold, staying warm, charging our devices, and ensuring we had enough battery power to do everything we needed – sounded all too familiar.
The more we talked, the more we realised that no one was really offering an affordable, comprehensive solution. That’s when the idea for Monitor of Things was born, inspired by combining the Internet of Things (devices with sensors, processing power, and software that communicate over the internet or other networks) with off-grid living.
Tell us about your first product launch, the BatMon. What does it do?
In September 2024, after a few years in development, we officially launched BatMon. It’s a 12–24-volt battery and power monitoring system designed for off-grid living. It’s a game-changer for people with camper vans, yachts, motorhomes, and even cabins.
Essentially, BatMon helps you monitor your battery usage across various systems – everything from the battery itself to solar chargers, diesel heaters, refrigerators, and even lighting circuits. By giving you real-time insights into power consumption and generation, BatMon helps you avoid running out of power when you need it most.
That way, you know exactly how much power is being consumed, where it’s coming from, and when you might need to take action. It’s not just about monitoring; it’s about making informed decisions that can save you money, reduce waste, and ensure you’re always powered-up when you need it.
Introduction to BatMon – YouTube
How did CGN2’s business support programme help your journey?
You’re surrounded by bright, motivated people, all working to grow their own businesses, so there’s a real sense of community. I’ve had the chance to network, exchange ideas, and even learn from people with skills in areas I didn’t.
What I found especially valuable were the expert sessions. I had the chance to speak with a professor from the Nottingham Business School at NTU one-on-one. It was like having access to a wealth of knowledge that you’d normally have to pay thousands for.
The programme also covered everything from creating cash flow projections to practicing pitches. As a small business owner, I wear many hats – from sales and marketing to product development – so learning about all areas of running a business, getting practical tools and reviewing real-world scenarios has been invaluable. I’ve been an engineer for over 30 years and now I actually appreciate what sales and marketing is for!
What’s next for your business?
My goal with BatMon is to take the complication out of battery monitoring and make it accessible to everyone. I want to help people easily understand how long they can survive off-grid, spot faults early, and avoid the kind of power failures I experienced all those years ago. I want to save people’s camping and sailing holidays. This will involve a new product that connects BatMon to the Cloud using modern data techniques and AI to create a self-learning system for each and every customer. Manufacturers are not doing this (still!) even though I dreamed of it years ago.
The next phase for the business is about securing funding to accelerate growth. Organic growth is naturally slow, but with the right support, I’m hopeful we can really speed things up.
What advice do you have for small business owners?
My best advice is simple: talk to anyone and everyone about your business, with passion and enthusiasm. The more you share your ideas, the more you’ll build connections, get advice, and even attract support you didn’t expect. Don’t be afraid to network – it’s not just about selling; it’s about exchanging ideas, learning, and growing together.
CGN2 offers fully funded business support to help creative, digital, and creative technology businesses in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire thrive.
See if you’re eligible for our free business support and apply today!