S11E18 - How Kemira Defied Market Odds to Lead in Bio-Based Tech

You need to know the rules to beat the rules ⬇️ Water innovation takes decades to be adopted: 35 Years for the average water tech! For their book "The Dynamics of Water Innovation," Paul O'Callaghan and his team reviewed 488 water technologies to identify patterns, timelines (and ways to accelerate them), and some of the specificities of water entrepreneurship. In this review, I share with you the key learnings, but also my feelings about the book. Spoiler: you should read it! ➡️ Get the book: https://www.braveblue.world/book 📚 Download the supporting research (free): https://edepot.wur.nl/536755 📣 MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE 📣 My interview with Andrew Benedek (Zenon): https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water/s5e12-how-to-be-alone-early-crazy-but-actually-right-the-history-of-zenon My conversation with Graeme Pearce (Membranes): https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water/s2e9-everything-you-always-wanted-to-know-about-mbrs-without-daring-to-ask Fluence's take at MABRs: https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water/s2e7-this-astonishing-technology-will-turn-the-wastewater-sector-on-its-head-here-s-why My conversation with Reinhard Hübner (SKion): https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water/s5e1-the-7-secrets-of-the-water-company-of-the-year-you-shall-absolutely-steal My interview with Tom Ferguson (Burnt Island Ventures): https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water/s10e16-the-secret-formula-for-profit-in-water-tech-ventures-tom-ferguson-s-unfair-advantage 🎙️ PODCAST 🎙️ Website: https://dww.show/podcast/ Smartlink: https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water 👋 SOCIAL MEDIA 👋 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinewalter1/ ⏰ TIME CODES ⏰ 00:00 Technology Adoption in various sectors 02:14 Anatomy of a Winner 05:08 The WaTA Model 08:30 3 Levers to Market Faster 14:23 Why bother? 15:55 ConclusionHosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

📚 On the bookshelf: Liquid Asset by Barton Thompson📘 Subtitle: How Business and Government Can Partner to Solve the Freshwater CrisisWhat's the thesis of the book? What are some key learnings you'll get from it? What are my own thoughts and criticisms about that book?And ultimately, should you read it? ➡️ Let's review!Included: My exclusive interview with the author at this year's Rethinking Water Conference in New York, hosted by Sciens WaterBy the way, a big thanks to Sciens for inviting me over! Go check them out: https://scienswater.com/Get the Book: https://www.sup.org/books/politics/liquid-assetThe two conversations I mentioned in the episode: Water Trading in Australia with Scott Hamilton - https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water/s4e6-how-water-trading-unbelievably-killed-one-million-fishes-and-a-river Groundwater Trading in California with Ellen Bruno - https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water/s4e13-could-we-please-stop-burning-industrial-wastewater-this-is-much-better⏰ TIME CODES ⏰00:00 Introducing: Liquid Asset by Barton Thompson01:10 The Book's Thesis12:43 Review & Critique15:16 Interview with Barton Thompson25:40 ConclusionHosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Gross Wen Technologies reached $15 Million in yearly sales while rolling out in three verticals and getting selected among hundreds of contestant in THE Global Water Hub - aka Singapore.All on the back of a simple, even seemingly simplistic technology: algae-based nutrient removal (and recovery).Oh and did I forget? They profitable from the get-go. What's the secret? Let's find out!More #water insights? Connect with me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinewalter1/ #️⃣ All the Links Mentioned in this Video #️⃣ Gross Wen Technologies' Website: https://algae.com/Connect with Martin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-gross-39125755/The last time we covered Green Algae on the podcast: https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water/s4e11-are-you-still-fighting-green-algae-here-s-what-to-do-insteadMy Coverage of WEFTEC: https://youtu.be/UnvaN9ZDjPs🎙️ PODCAST 🎙️ Website: https://dww.show/podcast/ Smartlink: https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water 🙋 QUESTION: What would you like me to cover next? #WaterTech #GrowthStage #GreenAlgaeAbout this Podcast: Welcome to the (don't) Waste Water podcast! In each episode, Antoine Walter from DWW Media shares water, wastewater & water entrepreneurship stories. This show will teach you the water industry like you've never seen it. If you're asking how the water sector will overcome the water crises ahead, this episode is for you.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

The World's largest water company is ambitious: it plans on growing 3 times faster than the market, so that its water tech and new solutions business lines will grow by 50% by 2030. How? By introducing 5 Priority Offers, starting with a new dedicated PFAS removal arm: BeyondPFAS. Let's dig into it! 🎙️ PODCAST 🎙️ Website: https://dww.show/podcast/ Smartlink: https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water 👋 SOCIAL MEDIA 👋 More #water insights? Connect with me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinewalter1/Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Here are my curated picks from WEFTEC 2024: 💰 Aqua Membranes' Series B (led by Burnt Island Ventures) - with CEO Craig Beckman and Partner Steve Kloos 3️⃣ 3 intriguing Water Techs, finally explained - VorTech (with Sean Mulligan & John McConomy), VVater (with Michael Watt), BioLargo (with Alex Evans) 🤖 ML applied to Water Asset Management (with Jennifer Zach) 🦾 My meeting with Kando's STREAMi (with Ori Reshef) 🧪 PFAS Destruction with Axine Water Technologies (with Mark Ralph) Support my one-man band: leave a Like and share your thoughts in the comments! More #water insights? Connect with me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinewalter1/ 🎙️ PODCAST 🎙️ Website: https://dww.show/podcast/ Smartlink: https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water ⏰ TIME CODES ⏰ 00:00 Welcome to WEFTEC 2024 01:55 Aqua Membranes' Series B 11:31 Tech1 - VorTech 19:42 Tech2 - VVater 28:30 Tech3 - BioLargo 38:51 Thank You! 40:37 MentorAPM's Applied ML 46:57 Imagine H2O's Croc Tank 47:32 Meeting Kando's STREAMi 53:46 Axine's First PFAS Destruction Reference 01:01:07 See You Soon!Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

The US Water Infrastructure is crumbling - and it may be time for Policy to effectively jump in. Let's discuss how and why with: ➡️ Mae Stevens (the highly praised water lobbyist who wrote the Bill in response to the Flint Crisis - and SO much more): https://www.linkedin.com/in/maestevens/ ➡️ Melisa Logan (Mayor of Blytheville, Arkansas): https://www.mrcti.org/meet-our-mayors ➡️ Aurélie Rodzynek (Program Coordinator at the Columbia Water Center): https://www.linkedin.com/in/aurelie-rodzynek/ & a short "BlueField on Tap" segment with Reese Tisdale (President & CEO of BlueField) More #water insights? Connect with me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinewalter1/ 🎙️ PODCAST 🎙️ Website: https://dww.show/podcast/ Smartlink: https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water 👋 SOCIAL MEDIA 👋 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinewalter1/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwwpodcast/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AntoineWalter7 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DontWasteWaterPodcast ⏰ TIME CODES ⏰ 00:00 The $2 Trillion Water Infrastructure Challenge 06:08 The Water Lobbyist (who wrote the Flint Bill) 16:32 The Water Silver Wave 23:50 BlueField on Tap (Sorry Dave!) 25:32 The Mayor with a Dry River 35:02 How to get Woman in Water? 37:07 The Academic (who worked with the UN) 44:16 My Last Take on the UN Water Conference 49:13 See you in New Orleans! #WaterPolicy #DeepBrief Hey, I'm introducing this "Deep Brief" segment, and I'd crave your feedback! What do you think of it? What shall I do better? Let me know in the comments! (or send me a DM on LinkedIn or a mail: [email protected])Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In January 2023, MembrIon raised a $12.5M Series B. Roughly two years later, they're on the verge of raising their Series C, but in between, it's been a bumpy road! From zooming in on their target market to turning their business model around through signing their first commercial deals and re-modeling key positions in the team, there's A TON to learn from the MembrIon crew. They've opened me the door of their offices, factory (and investor), and openly shared everything that matters, so the best I could do was to articulate their story best!How does a Series B transform a growth stage water tech? How does a water tech company align for growth? What sacrifices do you need to make to succeed in water technology adoption? How does a Series B company grow towards its Series C? How does a VC Investor interact with its water tech portfolio? This - and much more - is in this week's story: MembrIon's Growth Story(As always, if this is of value to you, make sure to subscribe.) More #water insights? Connect with me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinewalter1/ #️⃣ All the Links Mentioned in this Video #️⃣ MembrIon's Website: https://membrion.com/ PureTerra Ventures' Website: https://pureterra.com/ My first interview with Greg Newbloom: https://dww.show/membrion-ceo-that-raised-22m-reveals-his-one-trick-you-must-copy-today/ Value Driven / Crisis Driven: https://dww.show/how-long-will-it-take-to-grow-the-4-stages-of-water-innovation/ 🎙️ PODCAST 🎙️ Website: https://dww.show/podcast/ Smartlink: https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water 🙋 QUESTION: What would you like me to cover next? ⏰ TIME CODES ⏰ 00:00 MembrIon's Growth Story 03:42 Embracing the Journey 10:49 Gathering a Crew 17:10 Product Market Fit 21:34 Market Adoption 27:24 Business Model Pivot 34:13 The First Order 40:04 Ramping Up 48:42 Series C 51:01 2030 54:40 Epilogue#WaterTech #GrowthStage #GrowthStoryAbout this Podcast: Welcome to the (don't) Waste Water podcast! In each episode, Antoine Walter from DWW Media shares water, wastewater & water entrepreneurship stories. This show will teach you the water industry like you've never seen it. If you're asking how the water sector will overcome the water crises ahead, this episode is for you.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

How did Veolia overcome the Leader's Curse to supercharge its internal and external tools with AI and LLMs when so many sat on the edge? Let's find out!More #water insights? Connect with me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinewalter1/ #️⃣ All the Links Mentioned in this Video #️⃣ 🔗 Come say hi to Andrew on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewlcollier/🔗 Veolia's water tech zone website: https://www.veoliawatertechnologies.com/en🔗 Introducing Hubgrade on this microphone... 4 years ago! https://dww.show/how-to-almost-double-treatment-capacity-in-about-no-time/🔗 Already praising Veolia's agility (with Glenn Vicevic) last year: https://dww.show/how-to-foster-innovation-and-agility-when-youre-the-worlds-largest-water-company/🎙️ Subscribe and Listen to the Don't Waste Water Podcast HERE 🎙️ Podcast Channel: @dwwpodcast Main Channel: @AntoineWalterDWW Smartlink: https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water Website: https://dww.show/podcast/ 👋 SOCIAL MEDIA 👋 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwwpodcast/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AntoineWalter7 🙋 QUESTION: What would you like me to cover next? ⏰ TIME CODES ⏰ 00:00 Introduction02:26 Entropy Theory applied to Veolia05:31 Introducing Andrew Collier06:15 Applying LLMs to IoT Data09:05 Veolia's Water Tech Zone and Digital Team11:12 Hubgrade Water Footprint and Sustainability23:21 User-Centric Software Development at Veolia26:33 Driving User Adoption and Measuring Impact30:48 Leveraging AI for Operational Efficiency32:17 Fine-Tuning AI Models34:36 The Future of Automated Plants37:05 Training the Next Generation with AI42:28 Generative AI and Design Optimization46:06 Personal Reflections and Future Outlook48:02 Rapid Fire Questions#WaterTech #BlueTech About this Podcast: Welcome to the (don't) Waste Water podcast! In each episode, Antoine Walter from DWW Media shares water, wastewater & water entrepreneurship stories. This show will teach you the water industry like you've never seen it. If you're asking how the water sector will overcome the water crises ahead, this episode is for you.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Ever wondered how to FINALLY use AI right in water tech? Let's find out with this Episode! More #water insights? Connect with me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinewalter1/ #️⃣ All the Links Mentioned in this Video #️⃣ 🔗 KANDO's website: https://www.kando.eco/ 🔗 Ori Reshef's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ori-reshef-84440a6/ 🔗 WEFtec: https://www.weftec.org/ 🔗 KANDO's first appearance on the podcast: https://dww.show/how-to-fight-a-pandemic-with-the-help-of-your-feces/🎙️ Subscribe and Listen to the Don't Waste Water Podcast HERE 🎙️ Podcast Channel: @dwwpodcast Main Channel: @AntoineWalterDWW Smartlink: https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water Website: https://dww.show/podcast/ 👋 SOCIAL MEDIA 👋 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwwpodcast/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AntoineWalter7 🙋 QUESTION: What would you like me to cover next? ⏰ TIME CODES ⏰ 00:00 Introduction 01:33 The Future of AI in Water Tech 05:43 KANDO's Mission and Evolution 09:56 Ori Reshev's Journey to KANDO 12:11 Introducing STREAMi 13:40 STREAMi's Capabilities and AI Integration 21:30 Water Industry challenges that AI could solve 26:11 The Role of Human Intelligence in Automation 28:05 Adapting STREAMi for Different Customers 29:38 Data Security and Customer Reactions 32:22 STREAMi Lite and Marketing Strategies 39:35 Rolling out STREAMi as Kando's UI45:15 Rapid Fire Questions#WaterTech #AIAbout this Podcast: Welcome to the (don't) Waste Water podcast! In each episode, Antoine Walter from DWW Media shares water, wastewater & water entrepreneurship stories. This show will teach you the water industry like you've never seen it. If you're asking how the water sector will overcome the water crises ahead, this episode is for you.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

What does it take to Create a 500 Million dollar bio-based market? And how can you replicate these strategies for your own growth-stage endeavors? Let's find out with this Episode! More #water insights? Connect with me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinewalter1/ #️⃣ All the Links Mentioned in this Video #️⃣ 🔗 Come say hi to Riikka on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/riikka-timonen-6ba9533/🔗 Kemira's website: https://www.kemira.com/🔗 The IFF's website: https://www.iff.com/🔗 Crustatec's take at bio-based chitosan: http://crustatec.com/🔗 The World's Bank Water Acceleration Program: https://connect.newibnet.org/youthinnovationchallenge🎙️ Subscribe and Listen to the Don't Waste Water Podcast HERE 🎙️ Podcast Channel: @dwwpodcast Main Channel: @AntoineWalterDWW Smartlink: https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water Website: https://dww.show/podcast/ 👋 SOCIAL MEDIA 👋 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwwpodcast/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AntoineWalter7 🙋 QUESTION: What would you like me to cover next? ⏰ TIME CODES ⏰ 00:00 Introduction 02:34 Understanding the HOT Acronym 04:17 Creating a Market for Biopolymers 06:22 Kemira's Biopolymer Goals 09:04 Economic and Performance Challenges 12:19 Exploring New Business Directions 20:38 Addressing Greenwashing Claims 22:15 Exploring New Markets and Innovations 24:24 Challenges and Strategies in Renewable Water Treatment 25:37 Purpose-Driven Decisions and Company Culture 27:41 Future Goals and Personal Impact 31:41 Rapid Fire Questions#WaterTech #BlueTech About this Podcast: Welcome to the (don't) Waste Water podcast! In each episode, Antoine Walter from DWW Media shares water, wastewater & water entrepreneurship stories. This show will teach you the water industry like you've never seen it. If you're asking how the water sector will overcome the water crises ahead, this episode is for you.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.