The Meter Podcast

Andrew Dugan
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Entrepreneurship

The Meter's host, Andrew Dugan, interviews founders whose technologies focus on public utilities and the environment. The podcast digs into the discovery of their technologies and the journey they take to commercialize them. We cover the twists and turns of entrepreneurship in the utility industry.

Episodes

  1. May 28

    Stopping Membrane Fouling Once and For All with Arian Edalat

    In this episode of The Meter Podcast, host Andrew Dugan sits down with Arian Edalat, the cofounder and CEO of Active Membranes. This UCLA spin-off is shaking up the water desalination world by shifting from traditional passive filters to smart, electro-active membrane technology that actively repels mineral scaling and organic fouling.Arian shares the entire entrepreneurial journey of commercializing a hard-tech product born in academia, breaking through the typical scaling bottlenecks, and driving global impact in the water space.Topics Covered in This Episode:- Moving from passive filtration to active separation, challenging forty years of traditional reverse osmosis system design.- The mechanics of the "Active Box", a proprietary, tunable power unit that extends membrane lifespans and slows fouling by up to 70%.- Transitioning out of the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering and setting up shop inside the Magnify incubator at the California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI).- Designing drop-in, non-invasive retrofit elements to make adoption frictionless for existing desalination plants.- Moving past the lab scale to complete field pilot testing supported by the National Alliance for Water Innovation (NAWI).- Securing high profile commercial milestones, including a five year Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) contract for produced water recycling in the industrial sector.- Winning major global accolades, such as the Global Water Intelligence (GWI) Water Tech Idol Award in Berlin.- About the Guest:[Arian Edalat](https://idwsc.com/speakers/arian-edalat) is a chemical engineer and award-winning water tech entrepreneur. He cofounded [Active Membranes](https://www.activemembrane.com/) to address global freshwater scarcity by introducing active electrical control to nanofiltration and reverse osmosis technology, radically lowering the lifecycle cost and environmental footprint of water production.Connect With UsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-meter-podcast/?viewAsMember=trueSubscribe: Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform to stay updated on the innovations keeping our basic necessities running.#TheMeterPodcast #WaterInnovation #CleanTech #Desalination #ReverseOsmosis #ActiveMembranes #EngineeringFounders #SmartUtilities #WaterTech

    39 min

  2. May 6

    Ulrich Hansen, APX10

    In this episode of The Meter, host Andrew Dugan sits down with Ulrich Hansen, a commercial leader at Apex 10, to discuss the digital transformation of the global water and utility sector. They explore how the company evolved from a "skunkworks" project within a Nordic engineering firm into a standalone SaaS platform that helps utilities move from simply collecting data to making actionable decisions.Key Discussion Points- The Data Onslaught: Why utilities around the world are drowning in data but struggling to use it for operational insights and strategic planning.- The Nordic Advantage: How heavy regulation in Denmark and neighboring countries forced early innovation, allowing Apex 10 to "leapfrog" utilities in other regions into modern digital practices.- Scaling Globally: The strategic choice to target the U.S. and German markets, including the decision to set up shop in the water industry hub of Milwaukee.- Building Community: The importance of user conferences and peer networking in driving software adoption and product development.- The Future of Utilities: How digitization is helping solve the "talent cliff" by attracting a younger, tech-savvy workforce to the utility sector.Featured in This EpisodeAPX10: A global SaaS platform specialized in helping water, wastewater, and storm water utilities prioritize maintenance and optimize reinvestment.The IXI Product: A new solution specifically designed to identify and tackle In-flow and Infiltration challenges in aging infrastructure.Connect With UsWebsite: waterwrites.coLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-meter-podcast/?viewAsMember=trueSubscribe: Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform to stay updated on the innovations keeping our basic necessities running.#TheMeterPodcast #Utilities #WaterSector #DigitalTransformation #DataAnalytics #Apex10 #TheMeterPodcast #Sustainability #AssetManagement #Infrastructure #SmartWater

    39 min
  3. Chris Woodruff, Aquagga

    Apr 21

    Chris Woodruff, Aquagga

    Andrew Dugan interviews Chris Woodruff, co-founder and COO of Aquaga, a company focused on developing innovative solutions for PFAS treatment. Chris shares the journey of Aquaga from its inception shortly after their graduation from the University of Washington to navigating the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. He discusses the importance of early traction through pilot projects and the role of various accelerators in shaping the company’s strategy and growth. Chris also highlights the significance of their HALT system, which has shown promising results in destroying PFAS contaminants, and the company’s plans for scaling up their technology to meet increasing demand in various industries. Aquagga website: https://www.aquagga.com/

    34 min
  4. Chris Miller, Fontus Blue

    Apr 7

    Chris Miller, Fontus Blue

    This conversation explores the journey of Fontus Blue founder Chris Miller, from his early experiences with water quality as an environmental engineering professor to founding a water tech company. It delves into the challenges faced in launching a tech-driven water treatment company, the integration of AI in utility decision-making processes, and the impact of COVID-19 on business growth. The discussion also covers Miller's transition from entrepreneur to employee after selling Fontus Blue to Usalco and his future aspirations. Chris Miller LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismillerphdpe/ Fontus Blue website (now Usalco): https://www.usalco.com/technology/decision-blue Chapters 00:00 The Role of Akron in Product Development 02:05 Lessons from the Akron Pilot 04:06 The Evolution of Fontus Blue 10:49 Balancing Academia and Entrepreneurship 15:38 Overcoming Initial Sales Challenges 19:18 Navigating Financial Hurdles 21:36 Seizing Opportunities During COVID-19 23:32 Health Challenges and Leadership Growth 26:35 Transitioning to USALCO 33:11 Future Aspirations and Legacy

    39 min
  5. Drs. Marty Matlock and Scott Osborn, Blue In Green

    Feb 24

    Drs. Marty Matlock and Scott Osborn, Blue In Green

    The conversation delves into the journey of BlueInGreen, from its inception to its commercialization and eventual sale. It explores the challenges of innovating for the utilities industry, the complexities of venture capital and intellectual property, the transition from concept to commercialization, and the lessons learned from new ventures and business experiences.

    35 min
  6. Martin Gross, Gross Wen Technologies

    Feb 10

    Martin Gross, Gross Wen Technologies

    Summary This conversation explores the journey of Martin Gross and his company GWT, focusing on the innovative use of algae in wastewater treatment. Martin shares insights into his academic background, the challenges of scaling up technology, and the importance of partnerships in the industry. He discusses the unique business model of buying back algae from customers and the potential for future applications in agriculture and other markets. The conversation also touches on personal insights regarding work-life balance and aspirations for the future.

    39 min
  7. Johnny Pujol, SimpleLab

    Jan 27

    Johnny Pujol, SimpleLab

    Johnny Pujol shares his journey from an economics graduate to the founder of SimpleLab, a company focused on providing accessible water testing and diagnostics. He discusses his experiences in India, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and the evolution of SimpleLab from a water testing company to a broader diagnostics provider. Pujol emphasizes the importance of pragmatism, independence, and the need for reliable testing solutions in today's world, aiming to make diagnostics as convenient as ordering food through an app.

    31 min
  8. Adam Tank, Transcend

    Jan 13

    Adam Tank, Transcend

    Adam Tank shares his journey of founding Transcend, a company focused on automating engineering processes in water and wastewater design engineering. He discusses the challenges and successes of his entrepreneurial ventures, including winning a pitch competition at GE, the development of innovative technologies, and the importance of partnerships in driving growth. Adam also reflects on the impact of AI on engineering, the global reach of Transcend's software, and the balance between personal life and entrepreneurship.

    38 min
  9. Gregg Semler, InPipe Energy

    12/02/2025

    Gregg Semler, InPipe Energy

    Gregg Semler shares his extensive journey as an entrepreneur in the clean energy and water utility sectors. He discusses his transition from medical devices to clean energy, the challenges faced in the water industry, and the founding of InPipe Energy. Semler emphasizes the importance of customer relationships, innovation, and the intersection of water and energy in driving sustainable solutions. He reflects on the personal toll of entrepreneurship and the excitement of building impactful technologies. InPipe's website: https://inpipeenergy.com/ Gregg's LinkedIn: Gregg Semler | LinkedIn

    29 min
  10. Orianna Bretschger, Aquacycl

    11/12/2025

    Orianna Bretschger, Aquacycl

    Orianna Bretschger shares her journey from academia to founding Aquacycl, a company focused on innovative wastewater treatment solutions. She discusses her early career, the pivotal moments that led to the creation of Aquacycl, and the challenges of transitioning from research to entrepreneurship. Aquacycl's website: https://aquacycl.com/ Orianna's LinkedIn: Orianna Bretschger | LinkedIn

    45 min
  11. Joseph Blackman, Vitendo Training Solutions

    10/24/2025

    Joseph Blackman, Vitendo Training Solutions

    Joseph Blackman shares his journey from being a college football player to finding his place in the public works industry. He discusses the importance of sales skills in everyday life, the lessons learned from his entrepreneurial ventures, and the impact of networking through podcasting. Joseph emphasizes the value of building relationships, learning from failures, and creating valuable content to establish authority in his field. He also shares his vision for Vitendo, a training solutions company aimed at enhancing knowledge in the public works sector. Follow Joseph on LinkedIn: Joseph Blackman | LinkedIn Vitendo Training Solutions' website: https://www.vitendo.us/

    35 min
  • 11 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The Meter's host, Andrew Dugan, interviews founders whose technologies focus on public utilities and the environment. The podcast digs into the discovery of their technologies and the journey they take to commercialize them. We cover the twists and turns of entrepreneurship in the utility industry.

Information

  • Creator
    Andrew Dugan
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Andrew Dugan