The Weekly Dive #23

Apr 6

1 tablespoon of water for $198? The Drop Store reveals the future cost of water and it's quite worrying. The Water Council and the United Nations are looking for innovations. The first months of 2023 have seen some of the largest deals ever in the water industry! Starbucks and 17 other companies pledge billions for water innovation. Scientists create a new type of plastic not made from crude oil. The origin of human empathy may come from the oceans. Bioluminescent algae light up the seas. This week, we are highlighting Tom Ferguson, one of HydroDAO's key advisors. Learn about his impressive background and why he is passionate about water.

Your weekly Bonus - Global water demand will outstrip supply by 40% by 2030

This week's quote:

The human soul is like water. From heaven it descends and to heaven it rises again. From heaven to earth, in eternal flux.

What's New with Water Innovations?

At this grocery store of the future, 1 tablespoon of clean water costs $198

The Drop Store shows just how bad things could get if our water crisis worsens.

Largest commercially operated engine runs on hydrogen in world first

The Wärtsilä engine ran on a 25 vol% hydrogen-blended fuel.

The Water Council opens spring Tech Challenge

It seeks solutions for pharmaceutical pollutant detection and chlorinated water-tolerant structural plastic materials.

Open Call for Innovation Challenges on Water Quality Monitoring

The selected challenges will be put forward at the upcoming Workshop on 14 - 16 June 2023.

What's New in the Industry?

The water sector’s major acquisitions of early 2023

The first months of the year have seen two multi-billion-dollar acquisitions and a handful of other multi-million-dollar acquisitions — both internationally and within the U.S.

17 organizations pledge to invest $11B in water innovation

Groups from the private sector have made a collective commitment to invest in water innovation over the next five years.

Starbucks Commits Over $50 Million to Sustainable Waste and Water Funds

It is a major step to scale innovative solutions to advance water access and reduce waste.

Ecolab extends collaboration with Microsoft to enhance water data visibility

Company officials say it will help companies achieve climate and business goals at once.

What's New in the Science?

Scientists Created a New Recyclable Plastic Not Made From Crude Oil

Allison Christy and Scott Phillips describe making a new type of plastic based on poly(ethyl cyanoacrylate) or PECA, which is prepared from the monomer used to make Super Glue.

The Origins of Human Empathy May Go All The Way Back to The Ocean

Study hints that human empathy could have originated in our aquatic ancestors.

Canada: scientists discover new method to break down toxic ‘forever chemicals’

The silica-based material has the ability to absorb wider range of harmful chemicals.

Analyze This: Algae behind blue-glowing waves light up a new device

The single-celled microbes glow in response to gentle pushes and tugs.

Our HydroDAO Advisor: Tom Ferguson

Tom is the founder and managing director of Burnt Island Ventures (BIV). BIV invests in and supports the brightest entrepreneurs in water. Tom brings a decade of experience in water and startups to lead BIV. His start in water came as the lead author on the first CDP Water Disclosure Report in 2010. He joined Imagine H2O in 2015 to grow the organization’s programming portfolio, which now encompasses 3 global programs vetting 500+ startups per year.

Companies selected under Tom’s tenure have raised $600M+ and achieved 5 exits. He holds an MA from the University of Edinburgh, and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Thank you Tom for your work and leadership investing in and supporting water innovations and for your support to our HydroDAO community.