Wed, 03/20/2019 - 08:46

MILWAUKEE, Wis. — The Water Council announced the sixth round of winners for the BREW Accelerator and the third round of winners for the BREW Corporate Accelerator powered by A. O. Smith Corporation. The BREW (Business – Research – Entrepreneurship – in Water) is a freshwater seed accelerator with a focus on innovative startups that address global water challenges. Startups selected with commercialization potential are connected to funding, hands-on business training, space in Milwaukee’s Global Water Center, executive level mentors and corporate R&D resources. “The BREW Accelerator program is a critical contributor to The Water Council’s economic impact,” said Steve Glynn, director of innovation at The Water Council. “The program fosters the next generation of water tech innovators and connects them with the resources they need to advance their ideas. I look forward to hosting these amazing entrepreneurs in Milwaukee and connecting them to BREW partners across the region and around the world.” The following startups have been selected to participate in the BREW Accelerator program: WATERSURPLUS – Illinois – A winner of the BREW Corporate Accelerator powered by A. O. Smith Corporation, the WATERSURPLUS team has developed and is currently pilot testing a bio-inspired, low-fouling coating that significantly improves RO membrane performance from hard-to-treat water. Digested Organics – Michigan – Digested Organics designs and manufactures advanced filtration solutions for wastewater and food and beverage processing, including an ultrafiltration process that removes phosphorus and pathogens from manure. Gen3Bio – Indiana – Gen3Bio proprietary technology extracts cellular content from algae produced by wastewater treatment technologies and creates specialty chemicals at a fraction of the cost of conventional methods. Latitude Power – Illinois – Latitude Power has developed a micro-hydroelectric generator that converts lost energy into electricity. P4 Infrastructure – Wisconsin – P4 Infrastructure combines civil, mechanical and electrical engineering in pursuit of technology-driven products creating connected and sustainable infrastructure. Rapid Radicals Technology – Wisconsin – Rapid Radicals Technology (RRTech) developed an efficient and advanced wastewater treatment process for use during heavy precipitation events to eliminate sewer overflows and reduce untreated discharges into lakes and rivers. “The BREW is first and foremost an important program for supporting Wisconsin startups developing novel water technology, but it also provides a platform for attracting promising startups from outside the area looking to establish new offices or headquarters in Wisconsin,” stated Aaron Hagar, vice president of entrepreneurship and innovation at the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. “The business relationships developed through this program are helping to create solutions to global problems and can only enhance the strength of the local industry and aid in the development of future opportunities we have yet to realize.” The BREW and BREW Corporate Accelerator programs will begin on April 1 with BREW Week. During BREW Week, the selected winners will be joined by BREW alumni and other water technology entrepreneurs for various tours through the Milwaukee Water Hub and networking events with BREW coaches and The Water Council’s corporate partners. Supporting partners of the BREW include GRAEF, Marquette University, Michael Best & Friedrich, Sage Water, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Institute for Water Business, WIPFLI, Gener8tor, The Commons, Scale Up Milwaukee and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.