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

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.

Ever wondered how the largest Pump Company in the World turned into a Water Tech player that will enable 300 Million People to get access to Water? Listen to this Episode! More #water insights? Connect with me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinewalter1/ #️⃣ All the Links Mentioned in this Video #️⃣ Say hi to Laura on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-gallindo/ Connect with Phil: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philtomlinson/ Check Grundfos' website: https://www.grundfos.com/ Grundfos acquires Metasphere: https://www.grundfos.com/media/latest-news/grundfos-acquires-metasphere-to-pioneer-solutions-to-the-world-s My conversation with Patrick Decker (another pump company turned water tech mogul): https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water/s7e14-what-s-patrick-decker-s-call-to-action-let-us-solve-water 🎙️ 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 Grundfos' Ambitious Goals for 2030 02:26 Grundfos' Transformation Journey 04:19 Grundfos' Strategic Focus and Vertical Markets 08:19 Metasphere Acquisition and Integration 14:27 Challenges in Wastewater Management 17:41 Innovative Solutions for Sewer Overflows 29:33 Building Hope: Grundfos' Vision for the Future 29:46 Key Objectives and Strategies for Water Utilities 30:24 Sustainable Aquifer Management and Innovation 31:13 Energy Transition and Decarbonization Goals 32:07 Grundfos' Commitment to Scope 1, 2, and 3 Reductions 33:17 Digital Solutions and Natural Capital 37:13 Sewer Security and Utility Partnerships 43:12 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.

When traditional chemistry or oxidation processes fall short, SUDOC gives them a hand by putting their efficiency on steroids. Better: it applies the Cuckoo Tactic and may well outgrow its host process, something you may want to emulate! Wanna learn how? Listen to this episode!More #water insights? Connect with me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinewalter1/ #️⃣ All the Links Mentioned in this Video #️⃣ SUDOC's website: https://www.sudoc.com/Momentum Capital's website: https://www.momentum-capital.com/PureTerra Ventures' website: https://pureterra.com/Christopher Gasson's appearance on the podcast: https://dww.show/these-2-global-water-business-blocks-will-help-to-mitigate-the-3rd-one/🎙️ 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 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DontWasteWat... 🙋 QUESTION: What would you like me to cover next? ⏰ TIME CODES ⏰ 00:00 Introduction 01:28 The Chemical Challenge: Endocrine Disruptors 03:33 Sudoc's Innovative Catalysts 04:34 Investment and Market Strategy 07:49 Sudoc's Dual Business Model 13:06 The Science Behind New TAML Catalysts 19:24 Commercial Applications and Market Adoption 25:46 Future Goals and Scaling Up 30:52 Industrial Wastewater Treatment Innovations 31:23 Addressing PFAS and Emerging Contaminants 33:38 The Broader Water Treatment Conversation 36:45 The NABC Methodology and Water Sector Challenges 38:02 Sudoc's Commercial Focus and Future Plans 39:47 The Impact of Chemicals on Human Health 44:43 Sudoc's Recent Fundraising Success 47:56 Production and Scaling Strategies 49:48 The Vision for Sudoc's Future 54:06 Personal Reflections and Company Mission 57:13 Rapid Fire Questions#Catalyst #EndocrineDisruptorsAbout this Episode: 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 do you go in just a decade from an MIT lab to a billion-dollar valuation in Water Tech? Everybody thought it was impossible until... Gradiant did it! Wanna find out how and what's next? Listen to this episode! More #water insights? Connect with me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinewalter1/ #️⃣ All the Links Mentioned in this Video #️⃣ Will Gradiant succeed with H+E where SUEZ, Stulz, and Rena failed? https://youtu.be/GMk99gRjRSc?si=zAWY2rfg3GXFSWt2E Gradiant's website: https://www.gradiant.com/ The Global Water Awards 2024: https://globalwaterawards.com/ Prakash Govindan's LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prakash-govindan-87168310/ The 3 VCs that made money in Water Tech (the greatest success being... Gradiant): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqLn4j3w0P0 Full blog article: https://dww.show/how-gradiant-became-the-first-and-only-water-tech-unicorn/ Prakash Govindan on My Climate Journey: https://www.mcjcollective.com/my-climate-journey-podcast/gradiant 🎙️ Subscribe and Listen to the Don't Waste Water Podcast HERE 🎙️ Podcast Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dwwpodcast Main Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AntoineWalterDWW Smartlink: https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water Website: https://dww.show/podcast/ 👋 SOCIAL MEDIA 👋 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinewalter1/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwwpodcast/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AntoineWalter7 🙋 QUESTION: What would you like me to cover next? ⏰ TIME CODES ⏰ 00:00 In This Week's Episode 02:29 Will Gradiant be named Water Company of the Year? 04:20 Gradiant's "Special Sauce" by Prakash Govindan 05:46 How big is Gradiant today? 07:06 Where does Gradiant's journey start? 14:33 How did Gradiant strive where Incumbents gave up? 16:38 Why did Gradiant focus on the industrial market? 18:35 What is Turing, Gradiant's new AI spin out? 20:25 When did Gradiant start expanding its water tech portfolio? 23:02 How does Gradiant open a new region? 26:10 The secret to Gradiant's "Proprietary Deals" 30:50 How does Gradiant engineer its "unfair advantage" 31:23 Gradiant's unbelievable employee participation scheme 33:41 What's next after their record-breaking Series D? 36:53 Will Gradiant ever enter the municipal market? 38:04 Are Gradiant's founders ready to pass the baton? 39:53 Gradiant's new verticals: PFAS & DLE 42:20 Gradiant's two aces up their PFAS Removal sleeve 45:33 Gradiant's M&A tricks 48:18 Succeeding with H+E Mission Impossible? 50:07 Gradiant's plans for Europe 50:46 Gradiant's next M&A moves 51:50 What makes Gradiant the 2024 Water Company of the Year? 54:38 Rapid Fire Questions 57:53 7 Insights from the First Ever Water Tech Unicorn #WaterTech #WaterUnicorn #WaterEntrepreneurship 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 video is for you.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Manual pipe inspections are labor-intensive and prone to human error, but VAPAR automates this process using AI, making it more efficient and cost-effective. By providing detailed and objective data on pipe conditions, VAPAR helps utilities manage and invest in their infrastructure proactively., Wanna learn more? Watch this video! More #water insights? Connect with me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinewalter1/ #️⃣ All the Links Mentioned in this Video #️⃣ VAPAR's website: https://www.vapar.co/ Peter Thiel's Zero to One: https://morfene.com/021.pdf Everyone Hates Marketers on Jobs to be Done: https://podcast.everyonehatesmarketers.com/episodes/best-of-how-to-use-jobs-to-be-done-to-read-your-customers-minds/transcript David Lloyd Owen's appearance: https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water/s3e13-3-paths-to-reach-sdg-6-by-2050-all-our-hopes-are-on-3🎙️ 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 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DontWasteWat... 🙋 QUESTION: What would you like me to cover next? ⏰ TIME CODES ⏰ 00:00 Introduction 03:01 AI in Sewer Inspection: Enhancing Human Decision-Making 03:23 Amanda and Michele's Journey to Founding VAPAR 06:01 Challenges and Benefits of AI in Sewer Management 11:57 Early Success and Customer Stories 25:39 Case Study: Northumbrian Water 29:14 Human Intervention in AI Processes 30:39 Cost and Complexity of Infrastructure Inspection 31:46 Global Water Funding and Investment Challenges 35:51 Decision Support and Business Model 41:54 Challenges and Strategies for Market Expansion 52:53 Rapid Fire Questions #AI #WaterManagement About this Episode: 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 video is for you.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.