Propellant Ventures is pleased to provide an engaging virtual discussion to talk about the importance of innovation in the water industry. We will kick-off the event with a Breakout Room so attendees can get to know one another. Make sure to dial-in at 3pm CST. Zoom dial-in instructions below.

Agenda

3:00-3:20pm: Check-In / Breakout Room

3:20-4:00pm: Panel Discussion

4:00-4:30pm: Open Discussion

According to World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), for the first time in 2023, the economic value of water ecosystems was estimated at $58 trillion, which is equivalent to 60% of the world’s GDP. According to WWF's director, Dr. Kirsten Schuijt, “Healthy rivers, lakes and wetlands are essential for water and food security, adapting to climate change and sustaining biodiversity”. Since 1970, the world has lost one-third of its remaining wetlands, while freshwater wildlife populations have, on average, dropped by 83%. In addition, according to Treehugger, freshwater demand is projected to surpass supply by 40% by 2030. As we know, water is essential for our daily needs with households accounting for 11% of global water usage, industries for 19%, and agriculture for a substantial 70%. Without water, we would not only lack drinking water and proper sanitation, but also struggle to grow and transport food, produce energy, and meet the essential demands of both nature and industry.

Also, the "too-much-water" problem is equally as scary as the scarcity (ie: freshwater demand/usage). The number one insurance claim globally is too much water (leaks in property and flooding) and with sea-level rise, storm surges, and river flooding, about 150K people a year die from too-much-water coming at them. Floods destroy farmland and biodiversity as well as affect drinking water quality. Shoreline erosion is a massive headache for real estate and finance.

Water innovation trends are constantly evolving to address challenges related to water scarcity, quantity, pollution, and sustainable management. Some prominent trends in water innovation include: Water Recycling and Reuse, Smart Water Management, Desalination Technologies, Water-Energy Nexus Solutions, Nature-Based Solutions, Advanced Water Treatment Technologies, Decentralized Water Systems, Water-Efficient Technologies, Public-Private Partnerships, and Policy and Regulatory Innovations.

According to Dealroom.co, water tech companies received $1.2B in funding in 2023, down 30% from 2022's all-time-high but 105% above 2019’s pre-pandemic levels. The water startups ecosystem is valued at over $25B, with 75% of value stemming from companies started since 2010, showing a relatively young ecosystem with room to grow. Overall, water innovation investment plays a crucial role in driving technological advancements, improving water management practices, and ensuring sustainable access to clean water for communities worldwide.

Join us for an engaging discussion with experts, entrepreneurs, and investors to discuss the importance of investing in water innovation.

Karen Frost, VP Economic Development & Innovation at The Water Council

Karen is responsible for economic development activities and the suite of global innovation programs for The Water Council, which is a global hub dedicated to solving critical water challenges by driving innovation in freshwater technology and advancing water stewardship. She leads and executes The Water Council’s BREW 2.0 post-accelerator program serving late-stage water technology startups, the Pilot Program serving prototype-stage startups seeking to field test and validate their technologies, and the Tech Challenge program, supporting large corporates through an open innovation program. In addition, Karen leads the organization’s international efforts and works closely with its European representative to serve partners and companies in Europe and beyond. Further, she led The Water Council’s five-year engagement with SBA’s regional innovation cluster program. A key activity of her role is industry matchmaking and facilitating connections across all programs.

John Robinson, Partner of Mazarine Ventures

John has been in water/wastewater for 15 years by operating as a consultant and technology investor. Since 2018, he has been a partner at Mazarine Ventures, which invests in early-stage companies with technology innovations that address climate change risks, environmental protection risks, public health & safety risks, and business disruption risks, all relating to water or wastewater. Mazarine invests in young companies addressing water/wastewater challenges in a wide range of sectors including agriculture, aquaculture, manufacturing, mineral processing, finance, insurance, real estate, and power gen.

Bryan Stubbs, President & Executive Director of Cleveland Water Alliance (CWA); Managing Director of Freshwater Innovation Fund

Bryan is a recognized leader in implementing sustainable economic development strategies and building resilient communities. He has over 20 years of experience leading technologically and environmentally focused projects in Chicago, Silicon Valley, and Ohio. As President and Executive Director of Cleveland Water Alliance (CWA), he oversees the development of one of the most effective water innovation clusters in North America. Bryan has grown the organization’s reach and impact around the hypothesis that improving water quality through innovative technology and strengthening a regional economy are not mutually exclusive. CWA recently mobilized $5 million of investments from federal, state, and municipal supporters into its world-class Water Accelerator Testbeds and has catalyzed explosive water economy job creation that is outpacing that of the advanced manufacturing, biohealth, and additive manufacturing industries.

Zoom Dial-In Details
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82673148563?pwd=qriAF4mxaplZMi4pDhCxkSCNADVdsI.1

Meeting ID: 826 7314 8563
Passcode: 746613

One tap mobile
+13126266799,,82673148563#,,,,*746613# US (Chicago)
+13092053325,,82673148563#,,,,*746613# US

Riding the Wave of Water Innovation