Milwaukee, Veolia Water Create Springboard for Water-Sector Entrepreneurs

Nov. 3, 2011

Milwaukee Water Council building will serve as “go-to” place for water technologies

Entrepreneurs looking for ways to grow their environmental businesses can receive a significant boost thanks to a new city of Milwaukee and Veolia Water program.

Creating a springboard for new creative water technologies by making it easier to test technical approaches and build channels to market, Veolia Water and the Veolia Innovation Accelerator’s cleantech sourcing program are collaborating with the city, which is offering facilities and assets as a proving ground for new technologies.

Program highlights include:
          • The Veolia Innovation Accelerator (VIA), which will support green growth and economic development in Milwaukee by promoting the development and deployment of leading clean technologies in partnership with start-up companies; and
         • Under the leadership of Mayor Tom Barrett, the city will create an easy and welcoming business environment for companies developing new water technologies by leveraging its water facilities for testing and piloting.

The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) will provide on-the-ground testing support for new technologies that might be installed in their wastewater treatment facilities. Veolia Water North America will assist in this effort as the operator of MMSD’s Jones Island and South Shore water reclamation facilities and the District’s conveyance and deep tunnel systems.

The company will support implementing the potential technology pilots, building on its $1.5 million R&D program already underway with the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee Great Lakes Water Institute, Marquette University and MMSD.

An added development to this new initiative is the construction of the new research and business accelerator building to be developed through a substantial renovation of a historic Milwaukee property located at 223 W. Pittsburgh. Once completed in early 2013, the new building will house the Milwaukee Water Council and serve as a hub for water R&D activities.

“Veolia's decision to support this clean technology initiative is another affirmation that our region is considered a global center for water research and clean technology development,” Mayor Barrett said. “The new initiative will strengthen the local economy, broaden our base of environmental companies and send a clear signal to innovative start-ups around the world that Milwaukee makes it easy for environmental companies to grow their businesses here.”

Companies and investors interested in more information on how to apply to the VIA program should consult www.via.veolia.com.

Source: Veolia Water

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