On May 9th, 2023, diverse industry stakeholders (e.g. water utilities, startups, investors, solution providers, engineering firms) were divided into small teams and presented with a challenge of a given start-up with a validated case study and clear ROI, but unsure how to scale to the next level with measurable impact. Teams brainstormed creative ideas and presented their findings to a shark tank of judges.
Workshop Introduction
- Shirley Ben-Dak, Senior Advisor (SWAN Forum)
Scaling Innovation: For People, Purpose & Profit
Moderator: Vanessa Van Rossum, VP Business Development (Aganova)
- Clayton MacDougald, Investment Manager | Water (Emerald Technology Ventures)
- Christine Boyle, Vice President of Digital Product Development (Xylem)
- Patrik Gustavsson, Head of Business Unit, Resilient Water Infrastructure (Aliaxis Next)
- Carly Perry, Managing Director (Spring Innovation)
- James Dunning, General Manager (Syrinix, a Badger Meter brand)
Challenge Statements & Group Work
- How might we support an innovative, water tech start-up with a proven business case to reach their financial and sustainable impact potential?
- How might we measure the impact of our product(s) in line with a ‘north star’ metric/s? E.g. among UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ESG indicators, etc.
- How might we better attract investments/support from impact investors and/or corporate partners?
Workshop Group Facilitators
- Helen Hulett, New Business Director (Talbot Group Ltd)
- Fionn Boyle, Strategic Innovation and Shop Window Lead (Anglian Water, UK)
- Tertius Rust, Founder: Innovation Partner (TR Solutions) & Head of AMI and Digital Transformation (City of Cape Town)
- Emma Weisbord, Partnerships Lead (Royal HaskoningDHV)
- Jennifer Rebeiro, Chief Transformation Officer (Greater Western Water)
- Scott Branum, Principal Technologist & Fellow – Digital (Evoqua Water Technologies)
- Tom Williams, CEO (Enebio) & International Forum Chair (British Water)
Shark Tank Competition
Judges:
- Clayton MacDougald, Investment Manager | Water (Emerald Technology Ventures)
- Christine Boyle, Vice President of Digital Product Development (Xylem)
- Carly Perry, Managing Director (Spring Innovation)
- Patrik Gustavsson, Head of Business Unit, Resilient Water Infrastructure (Aliaxis Next)
- Marissa Sterling, Platform Associate (Burnt Island Ventures)
Featured SWAN Members:
