The world of water innovation is experiencing a remarkable evolution, powered by a perfect storm of entrepreneurial talent, technological advancement, and growing recognition of water's fundamental importance. In this fascinating conversation with Tom Ferguson, Managing Partner of Burnt Island Ventures, we explore how venture capital is catalyzing transformative solutions to our most pressing water challenges.

Ferguson shares his journey from running Imagine H2O's accelerator program to founding the first venture capital firm exclusively focused on water. His unique data-driven insight revealed a critical mass of exceptional entrepreneurs entering the water space by 2020, creating the perfect conditions for dedicated seed funding. "We finally had a critical mass of very high quality entrepreneurs within the water sector," Ferguson explains, "and that's really important for a seed fund."

What makes Burnt Island Ventures distinctive is their sector-specialist approach combined with a laser focus on finding extraordinary founders tackling significant problems. Their portfolio spans diverse areas - from utility software and wastewater treatment to atmospheric water generation and financial technology for small utilities. Ferguson emphasizes that the best investments often come from unexpected places, like a solution eliminating the wasteful practice of defrosting food with potable water in commercial kitchens.

The conversation takes a deep dive into water's most significant challenges, particularly the need to replace aging infrastructure in developed countries while building new systems in developing regions. Ferguson highlights how innovations like Aquamembranes' 3D-printed spacers can reduce infrastructure costs by 40%, enabling more efficient use of limited capital. Meanwhile, subsurface desalination technology could slash costs by 6-8 times while minimizing environmental impact.

Perhaps most compelling is Ferguson's candid assessment of water's political challenges. Despite water's essential nature, the sector struggles to secure adequate funding because it hasn't effectively engaged in political advocacy. "The oil and gas sector still benefits to the tune of hundreds of billions of dollars a year of subsidies because they pay for them," Ferguson notes, contrasting this with water's limited political influence.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, or water professional, this episode offers invaluable insights into how innovative thinking and strategic capital are reshaping our relationship with Earth's most precious resource. The future of water depends not just on technology, but on our ability to tell compelling stories that mobilize support for the infrastructure transformation we urgently need.

#water #WaterForesight #strategicforesight #foresight #futures @Aqualaurus

We stand at the threshold of a new age. As the Industrial Era gives way to the Age of Intelligence, we face unprecedented transformation in every aspect of human existence. Steve Fisher, managing partner at Revolution Factory and chief futurist at the Human Frontier Institute, joins us to explore the nine "SuperShifts" reshaping our world.

From his teenage encounter with Alvin Toffler's "Future Shock" to developing his own social theory examining 200-year macro-historical patterns, Fisher offers a unique perspective on our transitional moment. These converging SuperShifts—from Generational Drift to Bionexus—represent massive, irreversible transformations that will redefine what it means to be human.

The Eco-Awakening SuperShift holds particular significance for water professionals. Fisher envisions water transforming from a utility into a strategic asset managed by artificial intelligence, priced by ecosystems, and governed as a shared resource. Smart watersheds, bioreactors, and decentralized infrastructure will revolutionize how we manage this precious resource, while questions about water rights and access take on new urgency.

Fisher's perspective is neither dystopian nor blindly optimistic, but "protopian"—recognizing both challenges and opportunities ahead. While acknowledging risks like cybersecurity threats to water systems and potential water conflicts, he emphasizes humanity's resilience and capacity for positive change. Most importantly, he advocates for foresight as a discipline, moving beyond reactive thinking to anticipate and shape preferred futures.

Ready to navigate this transformative era? Join us as we explore how these SuperShifts will reshape our relationship with water and redefine what it means to be human in the Age of Intelligence. After listening, you'll understand why traditional approaches no longer serve us and how embracing foresight can help build more sustainable, equitable systems for generations to come.

Book Site - www.supershiftsbook.com
Steve’s Site - www.stevenfisher.io
Get the first two chapters - https://tfn.kit.com/bb0223ff53
Think Forward Show - https://thinkforward.buzzsprout.com/

#water #WaterForesight #strategicforesight #foresight #futures @Aqualaurus

Amber Desprets joins us to unveil her groundbreaking creation: the Future of Water Awareness Game. This isn't your typical board game - it's a powerful tool designed to shift how we think about our water future using speculative design principles.

Through a deck of 112 insight cards and a five-step process, Amber's game takes participants on a journey from questioning our present water reality to creating tangible "artifacts from the future" that might solve emerging challenges. The game surfaces fascinating signals of change that extend far beyond familiar concerns like rising sea levels. According to Amber: Did you know companies are already freezing coral reefs for preservation? Or that fish are losing nutritional value due to climate change? That icebergs are being harvested to address water shortages? These lesser-known developments form the foundation for imaginative scenario-building that ultimately leads to creative problem-solving.

What makes this approach particularly valuable is its accessibility. While suitable for professional workshops, the game is equally designed for dinnertime conversations with family, democratizing futures thinking about our most precious resource. Recognizing that less than 20% of the global population speaks English yet over 90% of climate change documents are English-only, Amber is having the game translated into seven additional languages to extend water literacy to billions previously excluded from these critical conversations. Looking ahead, she envisions creating a version specifically focused on preparing for a potential "waterless world" – challenging us to confront how our colonial mindsets continue to shape water commodification and exploitation rather than preservation.

Ready to play your way to better water futures? Download the game at futureawarenessgame.wordpress.com or connect with Amber Desprets on LinkedIn to join the growing community of forward-thinkers using games to reimagine our relationship with water.

#water #WaterForesight #strategicforesight #foresight #futures @Aqualaurus