(don't) Waste Water! | Water Tech to Solve the World Antoine Walter

What once was a struggling Arsenic Removal company pivoted to a soaring Lab Logistics powerhouse, just about to expand from its US base to Europe! All on the back of... one simple advice you can apply today. Shall we explore this further? (of course, yes!)
More #water insights?
Connect with me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinewalter1/

#️⃣ All the Links Mentioned in this Video #️⃣

🔗 SimpleLab's Website: https://gosimplelab.com/
🔗 TapScore's Website https://mytapscore.com/
🔗 Come say Hi to Johnny on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnnypujol/
🔗 My conversation with one of Johnny's Investor, John Robinson: https://dww.show/how-to-mitigate-4-shades-of-water-risk-through-impact-investing/
🔗 The Rethinking Water Conference in New York (and my coverage of the Water Crisis in America): https://dww.show/water-crisis-in-america/
🔗 My conversation with Megan Glover from 120Water: https://dww.show/whats-hidden-in-your-tap-water-dont-worry-your-utility-doesnt-really-know-better/

🎙️ Subscribe and Listen to the Don't Waste Water Podcast HERE 🎙️

Podcast Channel: https://youtube.com/@dwwpodcast
Main Channel: https://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
01:19 How to Test your Water
03:57 Who was first, SimpleLab or TapScore?
08:32 SimpleLab's Elevator Pitch
10:39 Pivoting from Arsenic Removal to Lab Logistics
15:24 Who gave SimpleLab a Winning Hint?
16:30 SimpleLab's ugly 2017 & 2018
18:14 What was SimpleLab's first product?
20:01 What did it change to Venture into B2B?
23:13 What is SimpleLab disrupting and how?
24:43 How much do Labs "love" SimpleLab?
26:29 SimpleLab's Business Model
28:07 SimpleLab vs 120Water
29:50 Who's competition to SimpleLab?
32:13 What's TapScore's Bestseller?
34:00 How should a Water Quality Test result look like?
36:49 Will TapScore roll out in Europe?
38:32 What's next for SimpleLab?
40:20 Could SimpleLab sell your Data?
44:02 What is SimpleLab's exit route?
46:15 Rapid Fire Questions
52:56 7 Insights from SimpleLab's CEO & Co-Founder
59:04 Conclusion

#WaterTest #LabTest #SimpleLab #WaterTech

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 podcast is for you.

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Johnny Pujol's company, SimpleLab started with a focus on arsenic removal technology but pivoted to consumer-focused water quality testing. Their approach utilizes direct-to-consumer engagement, providing testing kits through their platform, mytapscore.com, which allows customers to understand what's in their drinking water. This model turned out to be commercially successful and scalable compared to the original technology-focused venture.Innovations in water technology can drive faster economic growth than traditional industrial investments.

The central theme of the conversation is about pivoting a business model from developing arsenic removal technology to providing direct consumer water testing services. This shift occurred when the founders realized that direct engagement with customers about water quality issues through testing was more scalable and sustainable as a business model than their initial focus.

Unique Insights:
The company capitalized on the specific needs for community engagement and education about water quality, which were not adequately addressed by existing solutions.
They utilized direct consumer feedback to pivot their business towards a more sustainable model focused on water testing rather than just technology deployment.
The realization that transparency and direct consumer interaction could be a profitable business model in the water quality industry.
Key Ideas:
Business Pivot: The initial business model focused on a technology for arsenic removal, which was pivoted to consumer water testing due to scalability challenges and market needs.
Consumer Engagement: The new business model thrives on high engagement levels with consumers, providing them with detailed information about their water quality, which has shown high demand and customer satisfaction.
Market Expansion: The company is exploring further expansion into B2B sectors and international markets, adapting their successful consumer model to new demographics and regulatory environments.

Quotes:
"We were going to these towns in central Valley, and the best part about it is that when we tell them what's in their drinking water, everyone is listening."
"You've made a company; you've filed the paperwork; you have some money in the bank. You've learned a lot."
"It's like, suddenly the quiet classroom has come alive."
"You should just sell water tests."
"And then it just started working right? Like the magical thing happened."

Counter-Intuitive Facts:
Direct Consumer Testing as a Business Model: Initially, the concept of selling water tests directly to consumers was not seen as a viable business model, but it proved to be highly successful due to unmet market needs.
Pivoting from Technology to Service: Pivoting from a complex arsenic removal technology to a simpler consumer service was counterintuitive but resulted in better scalability and market penetration.
Community Engagement Over Pure Technology: Focusing on community engagement and education about water quality rather than just the technological solution to contamination proved more effective in building a sustainable business.

Full Episode: https://dww.show/how-simplelab-turned-an-arsenic-removal-failure-into-a-lab-logistics-success/

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

New Segment! The 7 insights to take home and act upon from my podcast guest this week: Craig Beckman.
For the ones that don't have a paper and a pen with them during the interview, that's my way to share you my notes.

Craig has been active in the water sector for over three decades. And even though he has the humility to highlight how "even veterans need to learn" I would trust him to have a bunch of insights to share!

So here's my selection of the 7 things to take home from my conversation, and my hours of preparation and post-production, with the CEO of Aqua Membranes.

Innovation Needs Grit and Laser Focus
Sustainability: The New Business Currency
Tech Innovations: Paving the Future of Water
Strategic Investment: Crafting the Perfect Blend
Market Adoption: Bold Moves Make the Difference
Water's Economic Impact: Undervalued but Vital
Vision for Change: More Than Just a Drop in the Ocean

I could have taken more, but I think seven is a good chunk to go out and apply, so here you have it.
If you think I've missed one that's even more important than those seven, come tell me on LinkedIn or by mail (antoine@dww.show). 

Remember, that episode came to you free of charge, but I would believe not free of value. It takes me quite some time to put all of those together every week, so all I'm asking is for you to help me distribute them! So take this episode, share it with a friend, a colleague, your boss, or your team, and I'll be back with another one next week!

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Do you want more Flux, better energy efficiency, or lower maintenance from your Reverse Osmosis membrane? Here's where to start!
More #water insights? Connect with me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinewalter1/

#️⃣ All the Links Mentioned in this Video #️⃣

Aqua Membranes' YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AquaMembranes 
Aqua Membranes' website: https://aquamembranes.com/
Craig's email: craig@aquamembranes.com
My "Ultimate" membrane guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUpiL_x7680
John Robinson discusses Impact Investing: https://dww.show/how-to-mitigate-4-shades-of-water-risk-through-impact-investing/
Chris Wyres presents Evove: https://dww.show/how-to-eradicate-dead-zones-cut-energy-needs-by-80-and-double-lithium-selectivity/
The Leading WaterTech Accelerator, Imagine H2O: https://dww.show/how-to-build-the-world-leading-water-innovation-accelerator-imagine-h2o/
Tom Ferguson's take on Venture Capital in #WaterTech https://dww.show/the-secret-formula-for-profit-in-water-tech-venture-capital/
Zwitterions as a new material for Membranes? https://dww.show/zwitterions-super-powers-could-solve-wastewater-membranes-number-one-problem/

🎙️ 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
01:20 Why Membrane Companies attracted $300 Million of Growth Capital
04:40 What is a Membrane Spacer?
06:37 What's wrong with Membrane Spacers?
08:01 Why do Membrane Majors skip the Spacers?
10:47 Does the PERFECT Membrane Spacer exist?
13:06 How far can you customize a Membrane Spacer?
14:49 How did Craig Beckman join Aqua Membranes?
18:09 Aqua Membranes' first product (and what they learned from it)
20:46 Did Failure nudge them to Give Up?
22:00 Aqua Membranes' product compatibility
23:53 Spacer, 3D-Printing or Membrane Company?
25:15 How to fit within the Membrane Vertical
29:09 How to guarantee performances as a Start-Up
33:03 Establishing Go-To Market Routes
34:59 How to License your Technology
35:57 Ramping up production capacity
36:38 Raising Money
39:25 Working with majors (Pentair & Kurita)
42:17 The pitfalls of branding as a Start-Up
45:09 The perks of start-up accelerators (Imagine H2O, BREW)
48:02 Speeding up market adoption as a Water Tech
54:13 Path to Impact (and Exit)
55:51 Building a Membrane Giant
57:46 Rapid Fire Questions
01:05:10 7 Insights to Take Home
01:10:35 Conclusion

#WaterEntrepreneurs #Membranes

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.

AquaMembranes is a company that develops novel water treatment technologies, specifically focusing on enhancing the efficiency of reverse osmosis (RO) membranes. Their technology is designed to use less energy and improve the lifespan of membranes, thereby providing both environmental and economic benefits to communities and industries in need.

The podcast features a deep dive into how water technology, particularly the innovations by AquaMembranes, plays a pivotal role in both safeguarding environmental sustainability and bolstering economic performance. Craig Beckman discusses the company’s approach to improving reverse osmosis membranes which significantly reduces energy consumption and extends membrane life—key factors in reducing operational costs and enhancing water availability. The conversation also covers the broader economic impacts of water management, investment trends in green technologies, and the challenges in scaling and adopting new technologies. Insights into the dynamics between financial goals and sustainability objectives offer a nuanced view of the water tech industry’s future.

I hope this teaser makes you crave for more!
If you dive into this week's full release of the podcast, you'll learn how:

🚀 AquaMembranes' technology uniquely prints spacers directly onto membranes, increasing efficiency and decreasing energy use.
📈 The discussion touches on the broader implications of water management on global economies, hinting at water's role as a more critical economic driver than oil.
💪 Insights into the challenges and opportunities in scaling water tech innovations, particularly through partnerships and investment in sustainability-focused ventures.

We also address and discuss:
Water as an Economic Enabler: Water management not only supports sustainability goals but also boosts economic activity by enabling more efficient industrial and municipal water use.
Innovative Water Technologies: AquaMembranes’ approach to improving RO membrane systems can dramatically reduce energy requirements and operational costs.
Investment and Market Adoption: There's a significant discussion about the need for more robust investment in water technologies and the market challenges related to adopting new systems.
Sustainability and Business Growth: The intersection of sustainability goals with business operations is a recurring theme, emphasizing that environmental strategies can also drive business success.

Some quotes:
"Water enables economies more than oil does." - Craig Beckman
"Risk is worth it, fortune favors the brave." - Craig Beckman
"Our sole thesis is greenhouse gas reduction." - Investor comment on shifting focus to water technologies
"We're doubling down on existing markets." - Craig Beckman
"You have to start somewhere." - Craig Beckman on business strategy

Some more facts we discuss:
Despite its critical importance, water is often undervalued economically compared to other resources like oil.
Water management technology can lead to significant reductions in energy usage, contrary to the assumption that environmental sustainability always comes at a higher cost.
Innovations in water technology can drive faster economic growth than traditional industrial investments.

Full Episode: https://dww.show/how-aqua-membranes-prints-three-dimensional-benefits-for-mesh-addicts/

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

New Segment! The 7 insights to take home and act upon from my podcast guest this week: Julie Bliss Mullen.
For the ones that don't have a paper and a pen with them during the interview, that's my way to share you my notes.

Narrowing the insights shared by Julie to just seven was a challenge, but hey, it's the rule I set, so this week I've got:

Focus on Market Needs and Testing Hypotheses
Innovate Within Niche Markets Before Expanding
Customer-Driven Development
Leverage Strategic Partnerships and Investments
Preparation for Regulatory Compliance
Strategic Hiring and Team Building
Bootstrapping and Careful Financial Management

As I said, I could have taken more, but I think seven is a good chunk to go out and apply, so here you have it.
If you think I've missed one that's even more important than those seven, come tell me on LinkedIn or by mail (antoine@dww.show). 

Remember, that episode came to you free of charge, but I would believe not free of value. It takes me quite some time to put all of those together every week, so all I'm asking is for you to help me distribute them! So take this episode, share it with a friend, a colleague, your boss, or your team, and I'll be back with another one next week!

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.