Pipeline H2O Accelerator Addressing Challenges Around Water – Leverages the Region’s Expertise in Water

Antony Seppi
The Hamilton Mill

The Pipeline H2O accelerator is on a mission to identify and commercialize the world’s leading water-based startup technologies in the world – right here in Ohio. Pipeline H2O is managed by The Hamilton Mill, a small business incubator located in Hamilton, Ohio that focuses on clean energy and advanced manufacturing technologies. The Hamilton Mill has a unique “City as a Lab” approach which enables companies to quickly engage with municipal departments to prototype and test their products.

As the program begins recruiting for their 2018 Class, they are supported by a coalition of regional cities, utilities, universities, and startup organizations. Pipeline H2O is looking for high growth potential companies working on water technologies that solve various aspects of the world’s water issues – issues that have been well documented over the past few years in terms of policy and financing, particularly in Ohio. Specific challenges include infrastructure improvements, water reuse, wastewater treatment and monitoring. The goal is to connect these water startups with businesses, industries, and municipalities throughout the region to solve these challenges.

Pipeline H2O completed its first class in May 2017 by awarding $25,000 each to two companies. Several of the 2017 Pipeline H2O class member continue to work in the region to address water-related challenges faced by local businesses and public entities. More information about the 2017 Pipeline H2O Class is available here.

“Southwest Ohio has some of the best water resources and municipal water in the nation,” said Rahul Bawa, Chairman of both The Hamilton Mill and Pipeline H2O. “Our inaugural class in 2017 was a great success and we are excited about selecting the next group of companies which are commercializing the leading water-based technologies in the world. We will help each of the selected companies scale and use our ‘City as a Lab’ approach to quickly find customers and generate revenue.”

Greater Cincinnati has a long history of innovation around water technology. The region was one of the first municipally-owned water systems in the country and is currently home to one of five EPA offices in the U.S.

“This is a prime example of the City of Cincinnati leveraging its resources for the betterment of the region,” said John Cranley, Mayor of Cincinnati. “Given the strength of the first class, we expect to continue to see great things from the Pipeline H2O program.”

The water-tech commercialization program was brought to Cincinnati through a partnership between several different organizations: Village Capital, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati Water Works, University of Cincinnati’s Water Center, Xavier University’s Center for Innovation, Confluence, the City of Cincinnati, the City of Hamilton, Cintrifuse and The Hamilton Mill.

Applications are open until November 19, 2017 and Pipeline H2O hopes to attract 8-10 startups for the 2018 class. There will be a series of informational webinars during September and October and the class will run from February through May 2018. For more information about Pipeline H2O and to apply, visit www.pipelineh2o.org or contact Antony Seppi, Pipeline’s Program Director at antony@pipelineh2o.org.

About The Hamilton Mill:

The Hamilton Mill, based in Hamilton, Ohio, is an award winning business incubator that provides support for young companies and entrepreneurs focused on clean energy and advanced manufacturing technologies. The Hamilton Mill has partnerships with the City of Hamilton, Hamilton Utilities, SCORE, Miami University, Liferay Inc., Butler Tech, Cintrifuse, PowerIT Solutions, The Greater Cincinnati Venture Association, The Greater Cincinnati Foundation, SBDC, CincyTech, Confluence WTIC, Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance, Green Umbrella, CenterGrid, Queen City Angels and The Greater Hamilton Chamber of Commerce.