New Segment! The 7 insights to take home and act upon from my podcast guest this week: Johnny Pujol.

For the ones that don't have a paper and a pen with them during the interview, that's my way to share you my notes.

What can we learn from Peter Christou's rollercoaster of a ride as the President and Founder of Swirltex? Well, quite a lot if you ask me, starting with these seven insights I wrote down and number one:

1. Navigating Market Entry

2. Collaboration and Partnerships

3. Embrace Serendipity in R&D

4. Perseverance Through Hardship

5. Take Bold Risks with Applications

6. Leadership and Team Dynamics

7. Impact Over Profit

I'd say that each of these insights from Swirltex's journey offers valuable lessons on navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship in the water sector. They highlight the blend of passion, innovation, and strategic thinking necessary to not only survive but thrive in this, as you know it, demanding field.

Anyways, there you have it, my 7 insights from Peter Christou in under 7 minutes, if you disagree with my selection, tell me, and if you'd like to dive deeper, well listen to the full interview!

Remember, that episode came to you free of charge, but I would believe not free of value. It takes me quite some time to put all of those together every week, so all I'm asking is for you to help me distribute them! So take this episode, share it with a friend, a colleague, your boss, or your team, and I'll be back with another one next week!

Full Episode: https://dww.show/how-swirltex-nearly-crushed-its-founder-before-taking-off/

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

Peter Christou had a water membrane epiphany in his garage in Edmonton. But a terrible timing and some financial difficulties of one of his investors basically turned him... homeless, and in the need to steal food to survive. As Swirltex has since soared and proved its worth, let's explore the full story!

More #water insights?

Connect with me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinewalter1/

#️⃣ All the Links Mentioned in this Video #️⃣

🔗 Swirltex's Website: https://swirltex.com/

🔗 Come say Hi to Peter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-christou-4b758043/

🔗 My article on this week's conversation: https://dww.show/how-swirltex-nearly-crushed-its-founder-before-taking-off/

🔗 My conversation with one of Peter's Investor, John Robinson: https://dww.show/how-to-mitigate-4-shades-of-water-risk-through-impact-investing/

🔗 Mazarine Ventures' website: https://www.mazarineventures.com/

🔗 Alberta Innovates' website: https://albertainnovates.ca/news/swirltex-puts-a-spin-on-innovation/

🔗 The Creative Destruction Labs: https://creativedestructionlab.com/

🔗 E3 Lithium: https://e3lithium.ca/

🔗 LithiumBank: https://www.lithiumbank.ca/

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

Podcast Channel: https://youtube.com/@dwwpodcast

Main Channel: https://youtube.com/@AntoineWalterDWW

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

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

👋 SOCIAL MEDIA 👋

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwwpodcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AntoineWalter7

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

#WaterMembranes #WaterTech #WasteWater #Lithium

About this Episode: Welcome to the (don't) Waste Water podcast! In each episode, Antoine Walter from DWW Media shares water, wastewater & water entrepreneurship stories. This show will teach you the water industry like you've never seen it. If you're asking how the water sector will overcome the water crises ahead, this podcast is for you.

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

Swirltex, the company represented by Peter Christou, develops unique membrane technologies that optimize filtration processes. The company distinguishes itself by manipulating the buoyancy of liquids to enhance filtration efficiency, which is particularly effective in industries where traditional membranes fail. This technology not only reduces energy consumption by up to 70% but also improves flux rates, offering a sustainable solution particularly useful in sectors like oil and gas, mining, and municipal water treatment.

In the podcast, Peter Christou elaborates on Swirltex's innovative approach to membrane technology, which is designed to improve filtration efficiency by manipulating the buoyancy of liquids and integrating air flow. This method reduces the energy consumption of membrane systems by up to 70% and enhances flux rates, making it a game-changer in industries where conventional membranes fail, such as oil and gas and mining. The discussion also touches on the broader implications of this technology for environmental sustainability and how it can reshape industry standards for water treatment and reuse.

Unique Insights:

1. Swirltex's approach to increasing filtration efficiency by manipulating liquid buoyancy and using air flows represents a significant innovation in membrane technology.

2. The company's focus on industrial applications where conventional membranes are less effective showcases a strategic move to tap unexplored markets.

3. Their technology not only addresses the efficiency but also significantly cuts down on energy use, marking a step forward in eco-friendly industrial processes.

Key Ideas:

• Innovative Membrane Use: Swirltex's technology uses a combination of air and water flow to prevent fouling and improve the efficiency of membrane filtration.

• Energy Efficiency: The technology significantly reduces the energy required for operating membranes, which is crucial for sustainability in resource-intensive industries.

• Market Adaptation: Swirltex has successfully adapted its technology for challenging applications like oil and grease-heavy industries, where traditional membranes struggle.

• Environmental Impact: By improving the efficiency and reducing the energy consumption of membrane systems, Swirltex contributes to environmental sustainability.

• Cultural and Operational Shift: The technology developed by Swirltex necessitates a shift in how industries think about and implement filtration systems, moving towards more sustainable and efficient practices.

Counter-Intuitive Facts:

1. Energy Reduction in Filtration: Swirltex's technology uses air to manipulate buoyancy, which counter-intuitively reduces energy consumption by 70% compared to traditional methods .

2. Application in Difficult Industries: Unlike typical membrane applications, Swirltex successfully operates in sectors with high fouling risks like oil and grease industries, traditionally challenging for membrane tech .

3. Adaptability to Market Needs: Swirltex's strategic focus on non-traditional markets for membranes allows it to tap into new areas, proving that membranes can be highly effective outside conventional settings like municipal water treatment .

Full Episode: https://dww.show/how-swirltex-nearly-crushed-its-founder-before-taking-off/

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

Reinhard Hübner (CEO of SKion Water) was my guest on the first episode of the Season 5 of the podcast, a bit more than 2 years ago.

To this date, it's still one of the most successful episodes of all time (check it out here: https://dww.show/the-7-secrets-of-the-water-company-of-the-year-you-shall-absolutely-steal/)

Since then, SKion has led... 13 M&A moves! So, since that first appearance on the podcast, every time I meet Reinhard or his Managing Director, Dirk Brusis, I make it a rule to always question them about their next M&A.

This time, it was on record during the recent Global Water Summit (https://www.watermeetsmoney.com/), and I thought you might want to hear about it, as it's a packed 15-minute conversation, with lots (like... LOTS!) of insights inside.

About SKion Water:

SKion Water is an influential player in both the municipal and industrial water treatment sectors across Europe and North America. The company is pioneering the construction of wastewater recycling plants and deploying advanced technologies for groundwater infiltration of river water. With a budgeted turnover of 1.4 billion for the current year, SKion Water is also involved in global markets, emphasizing sustainability and technical innovation to ensure water security amidst climate change.

Episode Summary:

In this discussion, Reinhard Hübner of SKion Water outlines the company's strategic responses to the challenges posed by climate change on water resources. He discusses the construction of advanced wastewater recycling plants in Germany, a pioneering effort reflecting a shift from traditional practices due to increasing water scarcity influenced by climate change. Hübner emphasizes the necessity of integrating municipal and industrial water management solutions, highlighting projects in both Europe and North America. The conversation also touches on the company’s growth and innovation strategies, noting a slowdown in acquisitions but continued investment in essential technologies and market expansions. Regulatory challenges like the new PFAS guidelines are addressed with proactive technological solutions, showcasing SKion Water's commitment to sustainable and compliant operations. Throughout the interview, the importance of decentralized operations and the integration of new technologies for efficient water management are discussed as critical elements of SKion Water's approach to addressing the global water crisis.

Key Ideas

1. Climate Change and Water Security: Climate change is creating severe impacts on water availability, affecting both natural ecosystems and human needs. SKion Water is working on solutions like the reuse of municipal wastewater to combat these challenges.

2. Municipal Wastewater Reuse in Germany: The company is constructing Germany’s first municipal wastewater reuse plant, which reflects a significant shift in traditional water management practices in the country.

3. Innovation and Growth: Despite a recent slowdown in acquisitions, SKion Water continues to expand strategically, integrating new technologies and markets into its portfolio.

4. Regulatory Challenges and Solutions: Facing new environmental regulations, SKion Water is investing in technologies such as those for on-site PFAS destruction, highlighting the company’s proactive approach to compliance and sustainability.

5. Cultural and Operational Adaptations: The company’s adaptation to various global markets showcases its flexible approach to business, emphasizing understanding and integration before expansion.

Stay tuned for more: I recorded 8 pieces at the Summit, so I won't put you ALL in this feed like this one, but I'll share you the key insights in the coming weeks!

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

In this special episode of our podcast, Reinhard Hübner from SKion Water joins host Antoine Walter to dive deep into the transformative strategies needed to combat water scarcity brought on by climate change. As the world faces increasingly severe ecological disruptions, SKion Water is leading the charge with innovative water management solutions, including the construction of Germany's first municipal wastewater recycling plant and the adoption of advanced groundwater infiltration technologies. This conversation is not just about the technicalities of water treatment but a forward-looking discussion on the sustainability and adaptation required to secure water resources for future generations. Tune in to understand why water reuse is no longer optional but necessary, and how decentralized operations enhance adaptability across the globe.

Links & Resources:

• European Water Reuse Association

• Thames Water

• Ecopreneur

• OVIVO

• Fido (Leak Detection Technology)

• E2metrix (PFAS Treatment)

• Global Water Summit (Podcast Venue)

Quotes:

• "If you talk security and changing a planet, the security piece is where's the water going to come from for people?" – Reinhard Hübner

• "We need to come up with technical solutions to make water security happen." – Reinhard Hübner

Closing Remarks: Thank you for tuning into this enlightening discussion with Reinhard Hübner. If this conversation about the innovative strategies SKion Water is implementing to ensure water security resonates with you, please remember to rate, follow, and share our podcast. Your engagement helps us bring more insightful discussions like this to you. Don’t forget to leave a review if you enjoyed the episode!

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

New Segment! The 7 insights to take home and act upon from my podcast guest this week: Johnny Pujol.

For the ones that don't have a paper and a pen with them during the interview, that's my way to share you my notes.

What can we learn from Johnny's path from selling vacuum cleaners on QVC to rolling out a network of water quality testing across North America and Europe, and in a close future maybe leading SimpleLab to IPO? Well, quite a lot, starting with this seven insight I wrote down:

Customer-Driven Innovation:

Flexibility in Business Strategy:

Maintaining Customer Trust:

Leveraging Digital Tools for Marketing and Efficiency:

Scaling Through User-Friendly Services:

Strategic Phased International Expansion:

Building Strong Partnerships:

And there you have it, my 7 insights from Johnny Pujol in under 7 minutes, if you disagree with my selection, come tell me on LinkedIn or by mail (antoine@dww.show), and if you'd like to dive deeper, well listen to the full interview - you can also jump straight into the chapter you'd like, I'm paving the road, now it's on you to take action!

Remember, that episode came to you free of charge, but I would believe not free of value. It takes me quite some time to put all of those together every week, so all I'm asking is for you to help me distribute them! So take this episode, share it with a friend, a colleague, your boss, or your team, and I'll be back with another one next week!

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

What once was a struggling Arsenic Removal company pivoted to a soaring Lab Logistics powerhouse, just about to expand from its US base to Europe! All on the back of... one simple advice you can apply today. Shall we explore this further? (of course, yes!)

More #water insights?

Connect with me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinewalter1/

#️⃣ All the Links Mentioned in this Video #️⃣

🔗 SimpleLab's Website: https://gosimplelab.com/

🔗 TapScore's Website https://mytapscore.com/

🔗 Come say Hi to Johnny on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnnypujol/

🔗 My conversation with one of Johnny's Investor, John Robinson: https://dww.show/how-to-mitigate-4-shades-of-water-risk-through-impact-investing/

🔗 The Rethinking Water Conference in New York (and my coverage of the Water Crisis in America): https://dww.show/water-crisis-in-america/

🔗 My conversation with Megan Glover from 120Water: https://dww.show/whats-hidden-in-your-tap-water-dont-worry-your-utility-doesnt-really-know-better/

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

Podcast Channel: https://youtube.com/@dwwpodcast

Main Channel: https://youtube.com/@AntoineWalterDWW

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

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

👋 SOCIAL MEDIA 👋

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwwpodcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AntoineWalter7

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

⏰ TIME CODES ⏰

00:00 In This Week's Episode

01:19 How to Test your Water

03:57 Who was first, SimpleLab or TapScore?

08:32 SimpleLab's Elevator Pitch

10:39 Pivoting from Arsenic Removal to Lab Logistics

15:24 Who gave SimpleLab a Winning Hint?

16:30 SimpleLab's ugly 2017 & 2018

18:14 What was SimpleLab's first product?

20:01 What did it change to Venture into B2B?

23:13 What is SimpleLab disrupting and how?

24:43 How much do Labs "love" SimpleLab?

26:29 SimpleLab's Business Model

28:07 SimpleLab vs 120Water

29:50 Who's competition to SimpleLab?

32:13 What's TapScore's Bestseller?

34:00 How should a Water Quality Test result look like?

36:49 Will TapScore roll out in Europe?

38:32 What's next for SimpleLab?

40:20 Could SimpleLab sell your Data?

44:02 What is SimpleLab's exit route?

46:15 Rapid Fire Questions

52:56 7 Insights from SimpleLab's CEO & Co-Founder

59:04 Conclusion

#WaterTest #LabTest #SimpleLab #WaterTech

About this Episode: Welcome to the (don't) Waste Water podcast! In each episode, Antoine Walter from DWW Media shares water, wastewater & water entrepreneurship stories. This show will teach you the water industry like you've never seen it. If you're asking how the water sector will overcome the water crises ahead, this podcast is for you.

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

Johnny Pujol's company, SimpleLab started with a focus on arsenic removal technology but pivoted to consumer-focused water quality testing. Their approach utilizes direct-to-consumer engagement, providing testing kits through their platform, mytapscore.com, which allows customers to understand what's in their drinking water. This model turned out to be commercially successful and scalable compared to the original technology-focused venture.Innovations in water technology can drive faster economic growth than traditional industrial investments.

The central theme of the conversation is about pivoting a business model from developing arsenic removal technology to providing direct consumer water testing services. This shift occurred when the founders realized that direct engagement with customers about water quality issues through testing was more scalable and sustainable as a business model than their initial focus.

Unique Insights:

• The company capitalized on the specific needs for community engagement and education about water quality, which were not adequately addressed by existing solutions.

• They utilized direct consumer feedback to pivot their business towards a more sustainable model focused on water testing rather than just technology deployment.

• The realization that transparency and direct consumer interaction could be a profitable business model in the water quality industry.

Key Ideas:

1. Business Pivot: The initial business model focused on a technology for arsenic removal, which was pivoted to consumer water testing due to scalability challenges and market needs.

2. Consumer Engagement: The new business model thrives on high engagement levels with consumers, providing them with detailed information about their water quality, which has shown high demand and customer satisfaction.

3. Market Expansion: The company is exploring further expansion into B2B sectors and international markets, adapting their successful consumer model to new demographics and regulatory environments.

Quotes:

1. "We were going to these towns in central Valley, and the best part about it is that when we tell them what's in their drinking water, everyone is listening."

2. "You've made a company; you've filed the paperwork; you have some money in the bank. You've learned a lot."

3. "It's like, suddenly the quiet classroom has come alive."

4. "You should just sell water tests."

5. "And then it just started working right? Like the magical thing happened."

Counter-Intuitive Facts:

1. Direct Consumer Testing as a Business Model: Initially, the concept of selling water tests directly to consumers was not seen as a viable business model, but it proved to be highly successful due to unmet market needs.

2. Pivoting from Technology to Service: Pivoting from a complex arsenic removal technology to a simpler consumer service was counterintuitive but resulted in better scalability and market penetration.

3. Community Engagement Over Pure Technology: Focusing on community engagement and education about water quality rather than just the technological solution to contamination proved more effective in building a sustainable business.

Full Episode: https://dww.show/how-simplelab-turned-an-arsenic-removal-failure-into-a-lab-logistics-success/

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