Liquid Assets

Ravi Kurani
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  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

From policy to profit, Liquid Assets uncovers the business and technological implications of water in a changing world.

  1. He Scaled a $500M Product. His Advice for Water Tech? Slow Down

    MAR 15

    He Scaled a $500M Product. His Advice for Water Tech? Slow Down

    A working prototype means nothing if you can't manufacture it at scale. Brad Augustine — VP of Hardware Engineering at Inspiren, former VP of Hardware at Lululemon — is the engineer who scaled the Mirror connected fitness device from startup to a $500M acquisition. In this episode, he shares the product development playbook that water tech founders and engineers need to hear. Brad spent 20 years in hardware product development: building LED lighting and ergonomic furniture at Humanscale, leading the engineering team that cut Mirror's production costs by 40% before the pandemic supply chain crisis, and now building AI-powered senior care hardware at Inspiren. We cover: → Why "hardware is hard" is actually "hardware is fun" → The real gap between a working prototype and mass production → How Brad's team cut 40% of Mirror's BOM cost — and why that saved them when the pandemic hit → Why water industry engineers need to think like product managers → The PFAS trap: are you building for wastewater or drinking water? Two very different customers. → How AI is finally helping engineers navigate tangled regulatory requirements (UL, IEC, FCC, SCADA) → Why "me-too" products die in hardware — you can't pivot a mold → What's next: AR beauty tech, AI inside physical products, and solving problems in your own community Guest: Brad Augustine → VP, Hardware Engineering at Inspiren → Former VP, Hardware at Lululemon (Mirror) → Former Design Engineering Manager at Humanscale → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-augustine Host: Ravi Kurani, LiquidAssets This episode is sponsored by HASA — the leader in water treatment solutions. Keeping communities safe one drop at a time for over 60 years. Learn more at hasa.com.

    34 min
  2. Plantd's Josh Dorfman: Building Homes From Grass, Not Trees

    MAR 7

    Plantd's Josh Dorfman: Building Homes From Grass, Not Trees

    Ravi Kurani sits down with Josh Dorfman, CEO and host of Supercool, to trace his journey from sustainable furniture startups to co-founding Plantd, a carbon-negative building materials company using renewable grass to replace plywood in homebuilding. Josh shares how Plantd landed a relationship with D.R. Horton (America's largest homebuilder) for 90,000 homes, why he left the CEO role to launch Supercool—a B2B media platform spotlighting real-world climate solutions—and the innovations he's most excited about, from AI-powered HVAC to recycling rare earth magnets. The conversation explores how two former SpaceX engineers moved to North Carolina to grow miscanthus grass and turned it into structural boards that are stronger than plywood in all directions—yet feel identical in a construction worker's hands. Josh breaks down three macro trends proving the low-carbon economy is scaling, spotlights companies like BrainBox AI (cutting building HVAC costs by 25% and carbon by 40%) and Zum (using AI to cut Oakland's school bus fleet from 140 diesel buses to 72 electric ones), and shares the remarkable story of Aeroseal—a 1990s duct-sealing technology shelved for a decade that became a $400M+ company when the right founder came along. In this episode, we discuss: From Furniture to Carbon-Negative Building Materials: Josh's path from running sustainable furniture companies in Brooklyn to co-founding Plantd with two former SpaceX engineers, a company that replaces plywood with boards made from renewable grass, grown by former tobacco farmers in North Carolina.Making Sustainability a Drop-In Replacement: Plantd's boards are designed to feel identical to traditional plywood for construction workers, same density, same nail behavior, so adoption requires zero behavior change. The result: a partnership with D.R. Horton across 90,000 homes.The Low-Carbon Economy is Scaling: Nearly 2,000 climate tech startups have raised Series B or beyond, the world's largest companies are investing heavily in the clean energy transition, and cities are becoming laboratories for climate innovation.AI as a Climate Solution: From BrainBox AI (cutting building HVAC costs by 25% and carbon by 40%, now acquired by Trane) to Zum (using AI to cut Oakland's school bus fleet from 140 diesel buses to 72 electric ones), Josh highlights how AI is accelerating decarbonization across industries.The Rare Earth Recycling Breakthrough: Cyclic Materials is the only company in the world to crack rare earth magnet recycling, attracting investment from Amazon, Microsoft, BMW, and Jaguar, critical for reducing dependence on China's 90% supply chain control.Timing is Everything: The story of Aeroseal: a duct-sealing technology invented in the 1990s, shelved by Carrier for a decade, then revived by a product manager who turned it into a $400M+ revenue company.Connect with the Guest: Josh DorfmanSupercoolFollow Liquid Assets: Website: https://liquidassets.cc/Full Blog Post & Transcript: https://liquidassets.cc/building-houses-from-grass-and-the-rise-of-climate-tech-media-2Host: Ravi KuraniThis episode is sponsored by Hasa, the leader in water treatment solutions for over 60 years. Learn more at https://hasa.com.

    39 min
  3. Harvesting Thin Air: The End of "Free" Water in Las Vegas

    FEB 16

    Harvesting Thin Air: The End of "Free" Water in Las Vegas

    Ravi Kurani sits down with Rich Sloan, CEO of WAVR Technologies, to discuss a sobering reality: the era of abundant, subsidized water is officially over. From the "bathtub rings" of Lake Mead to the massive water footprint of the AI revolution, Rich explains why the next decade will be defined by the shift toward high-tech, point-of-use water harvesting. The conversation explores the biomimicry behind Waiver's tech—inspired by the skin of an Australian tree frog—which allows for the passive collection of high-purity water from thin air, even in the most arid climates. Whether it's cooling the data centers that power ChatGPT or providing ultra-pure water for kidney dialysis, Rich and Ravi map out a future where we stop relying on aging pipelines and start manufacturing our most critical resource at the source. The End of Abundance: We have exited the period where fresh water is abundant, free, and pure; it is now a tech-driven numbers game. The AI Thirst: Generating AI images consumes a staggering amount of water—roughly 10,000 Bellagio Lakes worth of evaporative cooling for daily GPU power. Frog-Inspired Tech: How Waiver uses a hypersaline solution and a proprietary membrane to "wick" moisture from the atmosphere. Industrial Point-of-Use: Why the first million dollars in revenue is coming from high-purity industrial needs like medical applications and semiconductor manufacturing. The Warrior's Flow: Rich’s philosophy on staying "fierce" but in a state of "flow" to drive world-class innovation. Links: Full Blog Post & Transcript: liquidassets.cc/the-end-of-free-water-in-las-vegas/ WAVR Technologies: wavrtechnologies.com

    35 min
  4. Beyond the Flush: Using Particle Accelerators and ‘Bugs’ to Save Millions

    FEB 2

    Beyond the Flush: Using Particle Accelerators and ‘Bugs’ to Save Millions

    Most of us don’t think twice about what happens after we flush, but Jay Bernas spends every waking hour thinking about it. As the CEO of the Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD), Jay oversees a "quasi-state" regional powerhouse that treats wastewater for nearly 2 million people. But this isn't your grandfather’s utility—HRSD is a world-class R&D incubator that holds global patents and collects royalties on its innovations. In this episode, Ravi and Jay pull back the curtain on the "invisible" infrastructure that keeps our communities safe. They dive into how HRSD is using Anammox bacteria and hydrocyclones to save hundreds of millions of dollars in construction costs, and why they are currently partnering with a National Particle Accelerator Lab to destroy "forever chemicals" (PFAS) using electron beams. Whether you’re a tech investor or just curious about the massive machine running beneath your feet, this conversation proves that wastewater is one of the most exciting frontiers in climate tech. In this episode, we discuss: The "Quasi-State" Advantage: Why independent governance is the secret sauce for innovation. Process Intensification: How to grow a utility's capacity without pouring more concrete. The Silver Tsunami: Why we need a new generation of "Engineer MBAs" to lead the sector. PFAS Destruction: Using particle physics to solve the world’s toughest chemical problem. Connect with the Guest: Jay Bernas: LinkedIn HRSD: hrsd.com Follow Liquid Assets: Website: liquidassets.cc Host: Ravi Kurani This episode is sponsored by Hasa, the leader in water treatment solutions for over 60 years. Learn more at hasa.com.

    35 min
  5. Xylem’s Sivan Zamir: The "Silver Tsunami" & The Thirsty Cloud

    JAN 14

    Xylem’s Sivan Zamir: The "Silver Tsunami" & The Thirsty Cloud

    Sivan Zamir is the VP of Innovation & Venture at Xylem, a Fortune 500 leader in water technology. In this episode, Ravi Kurani and Sivan pulls back the curtain on the massive, invisible machine that keeps the modern world running. Sivan challenges the abstract concept of "the cloud," revealing that every data center, semiconductor chip, and cup of coffee relies on a complex, physical water infrastructure that operates "behind the fence." Her mission is to transform water from a silent, overlooked utility into a visible, investable asset, proving that the resilience of the Fortune 1000 depends entirely on the management of this finite resource. The conversation dives deep into the cultural psychology of water, contrasting the "scarcity mindset" of Israel, where Sivan witnessed traumatic drought campaigns, with the "invisibility" of water in the US. They explore the critical "Silver Tsunami" facing the industry as experts retire, and how Xylem is turning to Augmented Reality (AR) and AI to download "tribal knowledge" to a new generation. From the struggles of pitching water tech to VCs to the future of flood prediction, Sivan and Ravi map out why water is the ultimate unpriced asset in business resilience. Key Takeaways: The Invisible Backbone of Tech: Sivan dispels the myth of a purely digital economy. She explains that the "cloud" is actually a physical infrastructure of data centers requiring massive amounts of water for cooling and power, arguing that tech companies are just as water-dependent as agriculture. The 3% Investment Gap: Despite water being essential for life, only ~3% of climate tech venture capital flows into the sector. Sivan shares her past struggles as a founder having to rebrand water startups as "IoT" or "Climate Tech" just to get meetings, and how funds like Burnt Island Ventures are finally changing that landscape. Bridging the "Silver Tsunami": The industry faces a massive vacuum as operators with decades of experience retire. Sivan discusses using AI and AR tools—like smart glasses—to capture this institutional knowledge and guide Gen Z workers through complex, dangerous repairs in real-time. Cultural Visceralism: Sivan contrasts the American experience of water (out of sight, out of mind) with the Israeli experience, where drought awareness is culturally ingrained. She argues that to solve our water crisis, we must make infrastructure "visible" again. Innovation for Extremes: Xylem’s innovation strategy is categorized into "Too Much Water" (using AI for flood prediction) and "Too Little Water" (advanced reuse and digital twins), highlighting how extreme weather patterns are forcing utilities to become proactive rather than reactive.

    37 min
  6. Bottling the Breath of the Amazon

    12/31/2025

    Bottling the Breath of the Amazon

    Would you swap your fine wine for a bottle of water? In this episode, Ravi Kurani sits down with Ana Livi, Partner at O Amazon Air Water, to discuss a water source you’ve likely never heard of: the "breath" of the Amazon trees. Deep in the rainforest, O Amazon uses Atmospheric Water Generators (AWG) to harvest humidity from the "Flying Rivers" of the Amazon, creating a luxury water that sells for over €100 a bottle. Ana explains how this unique business model allows them to operate off-grid without cutting down a single tree, turning the preservation of the forest into a high-end asset. We also dive into Ana’s unique role as an "Energy Consultant" for the company, where she uses her background in humanitarian aid and spirituality to align business decisions with the invisible "energetics" of the rainforest. We cover: The Technology: How to make water from air in the middle of the jungle. The Design: The rescue jaguar that inspired their iconic bottle. The Market: Why water sommeliers call this the "celebration" water. The Energy: Managing a company through spiritual alignment and "corporate energetics". Movie Recommendation:Ana recommends Symphony of the Soil (referenced as the film about the "30cm layer of soil") for anyone interested in the fragility of our planet’s life support systems. LiquidAssets: liquidassets.cc Amazon Air: https://www.oamazonairwater.com/

    34 min
  7. Net Zero is Not a Burden: AI & Smart Water with Xylem

    12/10/2025

    Net Zero is Not a Burden: AI & Smart Water with Xylem

    Is climate mitigation just an expensive burden for water utilities? Alexis de Kerchove (Senior Director, Client Sustainability at Xylem) argues the opposite: the path to Net Zero is actually the key to operational efficiency and cost savings. In this episode, Ravi Kurani and Alexis de Kerchove break down how digital tools and machine learning are revolutionizing the water sector. We explore the "invisible" emissions of wastewater, fugitive nitrous oxide and energy-intensive pumping, and how AI is solving these problems without requiring massive new infrastructure. We discuss: The "Burden" Myth: Why sustainability is actually an efficiency strategy. Sponge Cities: Using data to optimize existing networks instead of building concrete. Fugitive Emissions: Tackling the silent climate impact of biological treatment. Smart Assets: How self-cleaning pumps and digital twins prevent failure. The Silver Tsunami: Turning the workforce shortage into a recruiting advantage. Sponsored by HASA: The leader in eco-friendly water treatment. Learn more at hasa.com. Links: Connect with Alexis de Kerchove on LinkedIn Visit Xylem.com Subscribe to the Liquid Assets Newsletter at liquidassets.cc

    38 min
  8. The Trillion-Dollar Toxin: Navigating the New Regulations on PFAS

    11/25/2025

    The Trillion-Dollar Toxin: Navigating the New Regulations on PFAS

    Is there a safe level of "forever chemicals" in your water? PFAS are everywhere: from the non-stick pans in your kitchen to the contact lenses in your eyes, and even 92% of strawberries. They are the "super chemistry" that modern society relies on, but they are also a toxic legacy that refuses to break down. In this episode, Ravi Kurani sits down with Henrik Hagemann, the potato farmer turned deep-tech entrepreneur who is solving this crisis at the molecular level. As the CEO and Co-founder of Puraffinity, Henrik is engineering smart materials that target and capture PFAS with sniper-like precision, preventing them from entering our waterways and bloodstreams. In this episode, we cover: The PFAS Reality Check: Why "forever chemicals" are found in everything from pesticides to waterproof jackets. Beyond Activated Carbon: How Puraffinity’s "Lego-like" material science outperforms traditional filtration by 7x. From Farm to Founder: Henrik’s journey from processing potatoes in Denmark to leading a Series A deep tech company in London. The Business of Water: Navigating the "Valley of Death" in hardware and selling to risk-averse industries. Diversity as a Superpower: Why international, diverse teams are statistically safer and more profitable in engineering. 🔗 Links & Resources: Learn more about Puraffinity: https://www.puraffinity.com/ Connect with Henrik on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/henrikhagemann/ Read the "Engine Plus" Report: https://raeng.org.uk/policy-and-resources/equity-diversity-and-inclusion-research-and-resources/edi-engine-benefits-of-equality-diversity-and-inclusion-in-engineering/ Liked this episode? Hit the "Follow" button so you never miss a drop.

    37 min
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About

From policy to profit, Liquid Assets uncovers the business and technological implications of water in a changing world.

Information

  • Creator
    Ravi Kurani
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    57
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Ravi Kurani
  • Show Website
    Liquid Assets