• S12E18 - How This Startup Tests PFAS 5x Faster Than Labs
    May 7 2025

    PFAS testing in Water takes 1-3 months according to the AWWA. How can FREDsense make it happen in 5 Days instead without cutting corners? Listen to this!

    More #water insights? Connect with me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinewalter1/


    🙌 Supporters 🙌

    A big thank you to my partner SimpleLab: https://link.dww.show/simplelab

    And a great shout-out to Blue Foot Membranes: https://link.dww.show/bluefoot


    #️⃣ All the Links Mentioned in this Video #️⃣

    FREDsense's website: https://fredsense.com/

    Reach out to Emily on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilyhicks12/

    Check out Julie Bliss Mullen's interview on the podcast: https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water/s11e2-how-aclarity-bootstrapped-its-journey-from-b2c-to-pfas-destruction

    Flashback to Meena Sankaran's appearance on the mic': https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water/s3e7-is-software-to-measure-water-quality-actually-a-matter-of-hardware


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

    Podcast Channel: @dwwpodcast

    Main Channel: @AntoineWalterDWW

    Smartlink: https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water

    Website: https://dww.show/podcast/


    🙋 QUESTION: What would you like me to cover next?


    ⏰ TIME CODES ⏰

    00:00 In this week's episode

    01:27 The EPA vs AWWA PFAS lawsuit

    04:20 The Economic Impact of PFAS Regulations

    06:37 FREDsense and Emily Hicks' journey

    10:51 Technical Insights

    15:13 Real-World Applications and Case Studies

    32:58 PFAS Market Demand and Education

    36:51 Global Market Focus and Expansion

    39:18 Hardware Development and Bootstrapping

    45:48 Business Models and Revenue Streams

    47:27 Future Vision and Technological Roadmap

    54:51 Rapid Fire Questions


    📝 IN THIS WEEK'S EPISODE

    🚀 How FREDsense delivers PFAS testing in 5 days vs. industry standard 5 weeks through biosensor technology

    💰 The bootstrapped journey from $25K water bottle crowdfunding campaign to pioneering field PFAS detection kits

    🔬 Why the company pivoted from arsenic and COVID detection to focusing purely on PFAS chemistry and unmet market needs

    🛠️ What makes on-site PFAS testing possible: polymer-based biosensors that bind and measure down to part-per-trillion levels

    🤝 Strategic partnerships with treatment leaders like Clarity, Axl, and Avivo for service lab rapid turnaround offerings


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

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    1 hr
  • PFAS in Your Tap Water? Don't Panic - do THIS Instead!
    May 2 2025

    Just received a PFAS Notice at home? Don't panic - let's go through it together!


    #️⃣ All the Links Mentioned in this Video #️⃣

    Johns Hopkins study on PFAS in Bottled Water: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34118648/

    Study on PFAS in Beer: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40272161/

    The Toronto Paper on LCMS to detect PFAS at ppt levels: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/ac0100648

    Decline in vaccine efficiency linked with blood PFAS levels: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22274686/

    Increased cholesterol linked with PFAS in blood: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3116641/

    Pregnancy disorders linked with PFAS: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35696844/

    The AWWA vs EPA lawsuit: https://www.awwa.org/resource/pfas/


    Tapscore's PFAS screening test: https://mytapscore.com/products/epa-8327-pfas-screen-water-test


    10 PFAS questions answered: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dlH0RSCtH0


    🎙️ PODCAST 🎙️

    Website: https://dww.show/podcast/

    Smartlink: https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water


    👋 SOCIAL MEDIA 👋

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinewalter1/


    ⏰ TIME CODES ⏰

    00:00 The PFAS letter

    01:23 Detecting PFAS

    04:12 There's PFAS. Then what?

    06:01 PFAS contamination odds

    07:30 PFAS Health Impacts

    08:47 3 Wrong Reactions

    09:25 PFAS in Bottled Water

    13:54 PFAS in Beer

    14:42 Solution 1

    17:57 Solution 2

    19:31 The BEST Solution

    22:10 Next Steps


    📝 IN THIS VIDEO

    💌 Why you're receiving PFAS notification letters and what they actually mean for your health and water quality

    🧪 The surprising truth about PFAS in bottled water and beer, with eye-opening research revealing widespread contamination

    💰 Why individual filtration costs 200 times more than community solutions, with a detailed cost breakdown of all your options

    🚿 Three practical solutions to protect your family from PFAS, with one clear winner that most people overlook

    🔬 How water analytics has evolved from detecting "poo in your drinking water" to measuring trace contaminants at parts per trillion


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

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    23 mins
  • S12E17 - How Swirltex Transforms Wastewater Using Only Air Bubbles!
    Apr 30 2025

    How can Swirltex claim to succeed where membranes always failed? Listen to this!

    More #water insights? Connect with me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinewalter1/


    🙌 Supporters 🙌

    A big thank you to my partner SimpleLab: https://link.dww.show/simplelab

    And a great shout-out to Blue Foot Membranes: https://link.dww.show/bluefoot


    #️⃣ All the Links Mentioned in this Episode #️⃣
    Connect with Peter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-christou-4b758043/

    Swirltex' website: https://swirltex.com/

    Peter's first appearance on the podcast: https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water/s11e5-how-swirltex-nearly-crushed-its-founder-before-taking-off


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

    Podcast Channel: @dwwpodcast

    Main Channel: @AntoineWalterDWW

    Smartlink: https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water

    Website: https://dww.show/podcast/


    🙋 QUESTION: What would you like me to cover next?


    ⏰ TIME CODES ⏰

    00:00 In this Week's Episode

    01:49 Innovation in Membrane Technology

    04:32 Strategic Pivot and Market Focus

    08:39 Sales and Testing Process

    16:31 Client Relationships and Support

    21:31 Market Expansion and Partnerships

    25:45 Scaling and Growth Strategy

    30:49 Future Plans and Market Expansion

    40:15 Execution and Infrastructure

    48:18 2030 Vision


    📝 IN THIS WEEK'S EPISODE

    🔄 How Swirltex's revolutionary membrane technology creates a 50/50 air-water mixture under pressure, achieving unprecedented filtration performance without traditional pre-treatment

    💰 Why the company's strategic pivot to standardized membrane skids builds 24% recurring revenue while targeting Food & Beverage as their primary vertical (90% of sales)

    🌊 How their unique testing process allows clients to see exact removal rates before proposals, solving consistency problems that plague traditional filtration technologies like DAF

    🚀 Inside the company's growth strategy, balancing $5M in confirmed projects while raising capital to scale from direct sales to channel partners and OEM relationships

    🔬 The technological breakthrough that makes their membranes excel at handling oil, grease, and colloidal materials that would quickly foul conventional membrane systems


    About this Podcast:

    Welcome to the (don't) Waste Water podcast, the leading podcast for water industry professionals, investors, and entrepreneurs seeking deep insights into water tech innovation, investment trends, and strategic moves in the sector. Host Antoine Walter blends his technical expertise with sharp business acumen to deliver weekly episodes featuring candid conversations with C-suite executives, detailed analysis of major water industry developments, and practical insights for water tech startups and seasoned players alike.


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

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    52 mins
  • S12E16 - 16 Warning Signs a Founder Is About to Exit Their Water Tech Company
    Apr 23 2025

    This simple sequence makes 83% of Water Founders Leave Early - that's what I found, investigating 1571 water tech companies and their 3356 founders!

    More #water insights? Connect with me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinewalter1/


    🙌 Supporters 🙌

    A big thank you to my partner SimpleLab: https://link.dww.show/simplelab

    And a great shout-out to Blue Foot Membranes: https://link.dww.show/bluefoot


    #️⃣ All the Links Mentioned in this Episode #️⃣
    The Dynamics of Water Innovation Book: https://www.bluetechresearch.com/the-dynamics-of-water-innovation/

    Global Water Intelligence's WaterData: https://www.gwiwaterdata.com/

    My Review of Paul O'Callaghan's book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A36PsBc1cnc

    My deep dive in Water Tech's growth stage investment scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqQwOC-ys4c


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

    Podcast Channel: @dwwpodcast

    Main Channel: @AntoineWalterDWW

    Smartlink: https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water

    Website: https://dww.show/podcast/


    🙋 QUESTION: What would you like me to cover next?


    ⏰ TIME CODES ⏰

    00:00 Why start-up founders matter to investors

    01:02 The Universal Sequence

    02:33 3 Red Flags that Predict Failure

    03:45 Methodology

    05:40 Sponsor
    06:26 1. Founders' Profile

    08:23 2. Fundraising Events
    10:06 3. Market Events

    12:13 4. Team Development

    15:02 5. Board Structure

    16:47 6. Future Evolution

    18:24 Sponsor


    📝 IN THIS WEEK'S EPISODE

    🔍 The critical 5-step sequence that predicts 83% of founder departures (and how board appointments trigger the countdown)

    💼 Why hiring velocity is the second strongest predictor of founder exits, and what happens when a company reaches 80 employees

    🚩 The three red flags that doom startups after founder departures, including why losing two founders in 24 months leads to 72% failure rate

    💰 How fundraising impacts founder tenure and why hardware companies see 8% higher founder turnover than software startups

    🌐 The surprising geographical differences in founder longevity across regions and what market milestones actually keep founders engaged


    About this Podcast:

    Welcome to the (don't) Waste Water podcast, the leading podcast for water industry professionals, investors, and entrepreneurs seeking deep insights into water tech innovation, investment trends, and strategic moves in the sector. Host Antoine Walter blends his technical expertise with sharp business acumen to deliver weekly episodes featuring candid conversations with C-suite executives, detailed analysis of major water industry developments, and practical insights for water tech startups and seasoned players alike.


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

    Show More Show Less
    19 mins
  • S12E15 - How BlueFoot Created Unbreakable Membranes with "Just" Polyester
    Apr 16 2025

    Ever wondered if unbreakable membranes really existed? Listen to this!

    More #water insights? Connect with me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinewalter1/


    🙌 Supporters 🙌

    A big thank you to my partner SimpleLab: https://link.dww.show/simplelab

    And a great shout-out to Blue Foot Membranes: https://link.dww.show/bluefoot


    #️⃣ All the Links Mentioned in this Episode #️⃣
    Connect with Stephan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephan-van-hoof-bb77316/

    BlueFoot Membranes was spun out from VITO: https://vito.be/en


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

    Podcast Channel: @dwwpodcast

    Main Channel: @AntoineWalterDWW

    Smartlink: https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water

    Website: https://dww.show/podcast/


    🙋 QUESTION: What would you like me to cover next?


    ⏰ TIME CODES ⏰

    00:00 In this Week's Episode

    01:38 The Membrane Market

    04:38 Unique Features and Benefits

    11:03 Stephan's Journey and Blue Foot's Growth

    16:01 Commercial Strategy and Partnerships

    22:44 Global Expansion Strategies

    27:39 OEM Strategy and Customer Relations

    32:46 Future Growth and Funding Plans

    37:27 Rapid Fire Questions


    📝 IN THIS WEEK'S EPISODE

    🧠 How Blue Foot combines the best features of flat sheet, tubular, and ceramic membranes into one unbreakable solution

    💧 The journey from VITO spin-off to scaling a disruptive membrane technology with OEM partnerships across Europe, Southeast Asia, and Australia

    ⚡ The real-world benefits of 50% lower energy consumption and compact footprint that's changing how industries approach water reuse

    💼 Why Blue Foot's strategic fundraising of €15 million supports their ambitious 2028 target of €40 million revenue with 100% annual growth

    🏭 How breakthrough membrane technology is enabling water reuse in challenging industrial applications like breweries and slaughterhouses


    About this Podcast:

    Welcome to the (don't) Waste Water podcast, the leading podcast for water industry professionals, investors, and entrepreneurs seeking deep insights into water tech innovation, investment trends, and strategic moves in the sector. Host Antoine Walter blends his technical expertise with sharp business acumen to deliver weekly episodes featuring candid conversations with C-suite executives, detailed analysis of major water industry developments, and practical insights for water tech startups and seasoned players alike.


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

    Show More Show Less
    44 mins
  • S12E14 - How Echo River Capital Sees 10x Water Returns as... Too Conservative!
    Apr 3 2025

    Are 100x multiples achievable in Water Tech when no-one ever reached 10x? Peter Yolles (Echo River Capital) believes so... and he's on track to prove it!

    How? Listen to this!

    More #water insights? Connect with me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinewalter1/


    🙌 Supporters 🙌


    A big thank you to my partner SimpleLab: https://link.dww.show/simplelab

    And a great shout-out to Blue Foot Membranes: https://link.dww.show/bluefoot


    #️⃣ All the Links Mentioned in this Video #️⃣


    Echo River Capital: https://www.echorivercap.com/

    Reach out to Peter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yolles/

    Epic Cleantec on the mic': https://link.dww.show/epic

    Aclarity on the mic': https://link.dww.show/pfas-aclarity


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

    Podcast Channel: @dwwpodcast

    Main Channel: @AntoineWalterDWW

    Smartlink: https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water

    Website: https://dww.show/podcast/


    🙋 QUESTION: What would you like me to cover next?


    📝 IN THIS WEEK'S EPISODE

    💸 How Echo River Capital aims for 100X returns in water tech and why Peter believes it's possible within a 10-year investment window

    🔬 The "Three Ds" investment thesis - digitize, decarbonize, and decentralize - that guides Peter's strategy in the water technology sector

    🏢 Why the 20th century centralized water systems are collapsing and how new decentralized solutions represent billion-dollar opportunities

    🌎 How water tech companies can monetize carbon reductions through voluntary carbon markets, opening new revenue streams beyond traditional water utility customers

    🚀 Why Peter focuses on university spin-outs with validated technology but pre-commercial status, and how this approach shortens the path to successful exits


    ⏰ TIME CODES ⏰

    02:23 The Quest for 100x Returns in Water Tech

    07:17 Peter's Journey from Entrepreneur to Investor

    09:13 Echo River's Unique Approach to Early-Stage Investments

    21:32 The Three Ds of Water Tech

    26:48 Decarbonization and Its Business Potential

    30:48 The Future of Water Tech Investments

    35:17 Is 100x Achievable?

    40:18 Investor Literacy in Water

    47:47 Future of Water Investments

    01:02:18 Rapid Fire Questions


    About this Podcast:

    Welcome to the (don't) Waste Water podcast, the leading podcast for water industry professionals, investors, and entrepreneurs seeking deep insights into water tech innovation, investment trends, and strategic moves in the sector. Host Antoine Walter blends his technical expertise with sharp business acumen to deliver weekly episodes featuring candid conversations with C-suite executives, detailed analysis of major water industry developments, and practical insights for water tech startups and seasoned players alike.


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

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 8 mins
  • S12E13 - How This NGO Made Bottled Water... a Public Utility?
    Mar 22 2025

    What if decentralized water bottle plants were the key to providing safe and affordable drinking water to rural communities? Learn how in this World Water Day Special!

    More #water insights? Connect with me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinewalter1/


    🙌 Supporters 🙌


    A big thank you to my partner SimpleLab: https://gosimplelab.com/

    And a great shout-out to Blue Foot Membranes: https://bluefootmembranes.com/


    #️⃣ All the Links Mentioned in this Video #️⃣


    1001 Fontaines' website: https://www.1001fontaines.com/

    Amandine's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandine-muret-1a14b369/

    Send Amandine a mail: am.muret@1001fontaines.com

    My conversation with Gary White: https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water/s11e13-the-world-s-best-water-entrepreneur-actually-runs-a-charity


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

    Podcast Channel: @dwwpodcast

    Main Channel: @AntoineWalterDWW

    Smartlink: https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water

    Website: https://dww.show/podcast/


    🙋 QUESTION: What would you like me to cover next?


    📝 IN THIS WEEK'S EPISODE

    🧪 How 1001 Fontaines pioneered a business-minded approach to water access 20 years ago when most NGOs strongly opposed the idea of selling water to vulnerable populations

    🏗️ The innovative decentralized water kiosk model that empowers local entrepreneurs while ensuring water quality, service continuity, and affordability

    💰 Why focusing on drinking water quality (1.5L per person daily) rather than complete domestic water needs creates a more sustainable and effective solution in rural areas

    🌏 How the organization has evolved from Cambodia to Madagascar and Bangladesh, adapting its model from rural kiosks to urban hub-and-spoke systems while maintaining its core mission

    🔄 The challenges of working in regulatory "gray areas" and why bottled water as a utility deserves recognition in global water access frameworks


    ⏰ TIME CODES ⏰

    00:00 Introduction

    02:03 Changing Our Approach of Water Development

    03:57 The Role of Bottled Water in Rural Areas

    04:58 World Water Day Reflections

    06:17 The Complexity of Safe Water Access

    08:54 1001 Fountains' Unique Model

    11:21 Entrepreneurial Approach to Water Development

    25:36 Sustainability and Long-Term Impact

    39:13 Navigating Legal and Policy Challenges

    44:45 Marketing Strategies and Entrepreneur Support

    55:28 Funding and Financial Strategies

    59:50 Future Directions

    01:09:29 Rapid Fire Questions


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

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    1 hr and 14 mins
  • S12E12 - AWS’s 5-Year Race to Water Positive… Can They Do It?
    Mar 19 2025

    What if your next AI prompt could help restore wetlands and improve water security? Listen to this!

    More #water insights? Connect with me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinewalter1/

    🙌 Supporters 🙌


    A big thank you to my partner SimpleLab: https://gosimplelab.com/

    And a great shout-out to Blue Foot Membranes: https://bluefootmembranes.com/


    #️⃣ All the Links Mentioned in this Video #️⃣


    Connect with Will Hewes on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-hewes-61947232/

    Check out Amazon's take to Water Stewardship: https://sustainability.aboutamazon.com/natural-resources/water

    My conversation with Botanical Water: https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water/how-tomatoes-become-drinking-water-and-microsoft-wants-in

    My conversation with FIDO Tech: https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water/s5e4-how-to-save-time-money-and-water-thanks-to-92-accurate-leak-detection

    My discussion with Lauren Kenyon Enright on measuring Water Stewardship: https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water/s11e9-how-to-end-bullshit-and-measure-your-water-stewardship-commitments-right


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

    Podcast Channel: @dwwpodcast

    Main Channel: @AntoineWalterDWW

    Smartlink: https://smartlink.ausha.co/dont-waste-water

    Website: https://dww.show/podcast/


    📝 IN THIS WEEK'S EPISODE

    💧 How AWS manages water in data centers while pursuing ambitious water-positive goals by 2030

    🔍 The tech and strategies making AWS 10x more water-efficient than industry average with just 0.18L per kilowatt-hour

    ♻️ Why recycled wastewater and smart replenishment projects are the foundation of AWS's sustainability approach

    📊 The metrics and methodology behind AWS's water-positive pledge and how they've already reached 41% of their target

    🌱 Real-world examples of innovative water projects in Chile, Brazil, and Ohio that are transforming local watersheds and agriculture


    🙋 QUESTION: What would you like me to cover next?


    ⏰ TIME CODES ⏰

    00:00 Introduction

    02:27 Editorial

    05:19 Water Efficiency in Data Centers

    13:56 Replenishment Goals and Strategies

    22:07 Community-Driven Water Replenishment Projects

    25:14 Balancing Innovation and Risk

    30:39 Scaling Agricultural Water Efficiency

    35:36 Future of Water Replenishment and Sustainability

    39:29 Rapid Fire Questions


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

    Show More Show Less
    43 mins