Water, Energy, and Technology Center Reaching New Heights!
by Alisha Wilson, Communications Student Assistant and Outreach Ambassador for the Water, Energy and Technology (WET) Center.
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At the WET Center, our mission is clear: to connect and cultivate water, energy and ag technology ventures and businesses in the Central Valley. Our center has witnessed steady and impressive growth each year in terms of our ventures’ funding numbers and job opportunities since opening our doors in 2007. Hard working entrepreneurs combined with WET Center staff, programs and services such as Valley Ventures,
Technology Innovation Evaluation(TIE), and memberships have been a very successful combination.
This past year, the WET Center has accomplished many things, such as an increase in public and private funding combined. In recent reporting from July 2021 to December 2021, WET Center and its ventures have secured a cumulative total of $205M compared to $151M in 2020. In addition, WET Center ventures created more employment opportunities in 2021, including those from the Fresno State community. These companies strive to create diverse teams and are proud to have 20 percent of their c-suite filled by women and 40 percent filled by minority groups. Their employee teams are also quite impressive, made up of 12 percent women and 19 percent minority groups. The WET center reported a 23 percent increase from 2020 recording a total of 583 jobs created in 2021 compared to 2020’s total of 473 jobs created.
“We are excited and proud of the recent impact numbers our ventures have produced. $205 million in funding raised by 80 ventures, combined with more than 500 jobs created, is more than impressive. As a team, we are passionate about supporting innovative ventures in water, energy, and agriculture, and actively working to represent an inclusive and diverse group of entrepreneurs and ventures. In 2022 we are looking to expand and further develop our programs to help even more entrepreneurs bring their innovations to market” Helle Petersen, Director of Water, Energy, and Technology Center.
Many of our readers have been able to witness the growth of our ventures over time as they participate in our programs and services. Nothing brings us more joy than to see our ventures succeed! As we move into the spring and summer months, our goal is to share the incredible stories that impact not only our ecosystem, but the greater Central Valley as well. Our center has undoubtedly progressed tremendously in only a brief period of time, spearheading the conversation surrounding not only ag technology but what it means to be inclusive and diverse with the companies we support. As we continue to move forward, we hope to reach new heights in terms of supporting the water, energy and ag technology community through innovation with respect to our programs, services and more.
To connect with the WET Center, click here.
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| Happy Women’s History Month! |
As we take the time to celebrate the vast accomplishments and progress that women have made throughout the world, the WET Center would like to shine light on trailblazers in the ag-technology community. In a sector where men have dominated, these women and more have made it their mission to ensure they are not only in the conversation but leading it as well. So we would like to recognize and applaud them for their tremendous contributions to business and ag-technology.
Le Luong, Co-CEO/Co-Founder Nurture Growth Bio
Michele Nesbit, Co-Founder/COO BoxPower
Check out the directory for women in agtech here.
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Innovative Water Technologies for Lagoon Wastewater Systems in Small Communities
Deadline: March 7
Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research-2022 Seeding Solutions
Deadline: March 9
Irrigation Innovation Consortium
Deadline: March 11
California Air Resources Board and Coordinating Research Council- California Air Resource Board Research Program
Deadline: March 14
Department of the Interior- WaterSMART: Desalination Construction Projects
Deadline: March 15
Small Innovative Projects (SIPS) in Solar 2022: Concentrating Solar Thermal Power and Photovoltaics Funding Program
Deadline: March 21
Young Startup Ventures- Venture Summit Virtual Connect 3.0 Pitch Application
Deadline: March 29
Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program
Deadline: April 8
Check out the California State Grants Portal for
more funding opportunities!
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Dr. Charles Hillyer, interim associate vice president for the California Water Institute, wrote an article about how combining integration and automation in a drip irrigation system can improve irrigation efficiency while saving time and money.
Applications for Cleantech Open’s 2022 Accelerator program are now open through April 17th!
Farm in Lemoore helping provide power for families throughout the Golden State.
Yuba Water Agency Board of Directors today approved a local cost-share grant worth up to $240,000 for the Yuba Watershed Protection.
Could Regenerative Agriculture Increase the Nutritional Quality of Our Food?
USDA Seeks Nominations for Members to Science and Research Advisory Board.
BC partners with science foundation working on carbon burial.
Merced dairy turning cow manure into renewable energy.
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*Events subject to cancellation/rescheduling as professional recommendations regarding COVID-19 emerge
ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit | March 14-16
Be sure to attend the annual conference and technology showcase that brings together experts from different technical disciplines and professional communities to think about America's energy challenges in new and innovative ways.
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