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CORRECTED: Apologize for the duplicate email. Please note the corrected date for the SERC webinar.
In this Issue: BTV Client 'Deep Root Irrigation' Collaborates with CIT | WET Member Highlight | In the News | Staff Highlight: Dr. Colleen Robb | Events & Webinars | Grants & Opportunities | Did you know? WET Center Virtual Tour
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BlueTechValley Client 'Deep Root Irrigation' Collaborates
with Fresno State Center for Irrigation Technology |
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An innovative water-saving project between Deep Root Irrigation (DRI) and the Center for Irrigation Technology (CIT) began in the Fall of 2015 in one of the almond orchards on the Fresno State farm. Jeff Ciudaj of DRI and Dr. Dilruba Yeasmin and Dr. David Zoldoske of CIT collaboratively began the project funded by Pacific Gas & Electric Company.
This is a three-year project that will be completed in December 2018. Results will be published in a report upon completion of the project. Students from the Fresno State Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences & Technology are playing a vital role in the execution of this project, from installing DRI’s technology in the orchards to setting up the monitoring system.
According to Ciudaj, farmers are using DRI trials in virtually every type of permanent crop grown in California. In one of the largest nurseries in the world located in Modesto, California, DRI has helped reduce water usage by 50 percent or more in many cases while at the same time producing higher yields and fuller plant response. The results have been found with many different table and wine grapes, pistachios, and more crops at the heart of California’s agricultural production.
Many believe that agriculture uses approximately 80 percent of the state’s fresh water supply. Ciudaj believes that DRI can potentially reduce that down to 40 percent, an immense benefit for the Central San Joaquin Valley. Ciudaj also says that DRI has units installed at Cecelia Packaging Corporation’s citrus trees near Fresno State, which through the technology has been able to reduce water use by a third and produce more consistent fruit.
“It has also been extremely exciting to network with people through the WET Center and the Valley Ventures Accelerator program.” says Ciudaj.
For more information on Deep Root Irrigation visit their website here. |
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WET Member Highlight |
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Advantageous Systems (ADS) is a material science company that manufactures efficient water treatment systems. Their main product line includes agricultural scale well water treatment systems
to remove salts and heavy metals. This is especially important in the San Joaquin Valley in central California, where much of the well water contains high levels of salt or unwanted
contaminants such as Selenium or Arsenic.
Advantageous Systems (ADS) started its operation in 2008. The technology evolved from testing blood to treating water using a similar technology. After many years of R&D and with the help of government grants and private investment, ADS brought the ADS water treatment
technology to market, one of the most efficient technologies to remove selective
contaminants from water using targeted magnetic particles.
“A membership with the WET Center helps us interact with other water treatment companies
and water leaders in the Central CA region,” says Stein. “The facility’s ability to test our
products and its central location has helped our team grow in Fresno county.”
Stein advises entrepreneurs to start organizing the finances of their company from the beginning, contacting banks and begin building credit, as it will be “a life-line in years to come.”
“We are interested in partnering with farmers and organizations who would like to utilize the Advantageous Systems (ADS) water treatment system,” says Stein. “We are especially looking
for projects for treating well water or waste water high in TDS or high in Selenium.”
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Learn more about WET member ADS here.
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In the News
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Staff Highlight: Dr. Colleen Robb |
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Dr. Colleen Robb is co-director of the BlueTechValley Innovation Cluster Hub, and we would like to congratulate her for her recent appointment to director of The Chico State Center for Entrepreneurship, effective
summer 2018.
Robb is also an assistant professor for the College of Business' Department of Management at Chico State. She has over 10 years of experience working as a fundraising advisor to various start-ups in the athletic, cosmetic, manufacturing, nonprofit, retail and technology sectors.
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She has over 16 years of experience in the nonprofit sector in various roles for organizations such as MedShare International, the University of Cincinnati and Best Buddies International. Learn more about Dr. Robb here.
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Upcoming Events and Webinars
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Are you a startup looking to build your network and gain investments?
Pitch at the second annual Central Valley Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum!
November 1, 2018
This November, your venture can pitch in front of a room full of investors, venture capitalists, industry leaders, entrepreneurs and more to be recognized as the Audience Choice, Judges Choice or the Investors Choice during the awards ceremony.
Would like to showcase your venture?
Visit cvieforum.com/showcase.
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Is your company developing an energy-related product? SERC can help!
Webinar: What is SERC?
September 7th, 3-4 PM
Established in 1989, the Schatz Energy Research Center (SERC) at Humboldt State University is working to establish clean energy technologies, specializing in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and hydrogen energy systems through research and development, technology demonstration and more. In addition, SERC performs
feasibility studies, resource assessments, and energy planning studies.
Join us for a webinar on September 7 to learn more about how the Schatz Energy Research Center can help members in testing their products.
Click here to learn more or register.
BlueTechValley is pleased to present to you, in partnership with the UC Davis Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the 2018/19 Big Bang! Competition!
The Big Bang! Is a competition and series of workshops where entrepreneurs can collaborate with other early-stage entrepreneurs and mentors to create and test new business ideas. In addition to the valuable teamwork, networking and mentorship opportunities, participants have the chance to win cash prizes!
If you have an early-stage business idea and want to see it grow, don’t miss out on the 2018/19 Big Bang! Competition! Click here for more information or to sign up.
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Grants and Other Opportunities
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USDA’s Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) Program - Phase I
The USDA Small Business Innovation Research Program Phase I is looking for projects dealing with agriculturally related manufacturing, alternative & renewable energy technologies across all SBIR topic areas. Water, energy, & agtech ventures are encouraged to apply! Grant submissions due Oct. 25th, 2018.
Click here to learn more.
The Lab Partnering Service is a service of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Energy Investor Center. The service provides investors, and other parties looking to advance energy innovation, a single location to connect with leading DOE national laboratory technical experts to quickly answer innovation questions, as well as discover opportunities for building partnerships. Click here to learn more.
Grid Optimization Competition
The Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) is challenging the research and industrial communities to successfully develop and test power system optimization and control algorithms to accelerate the development and comprehensive evaluation of new solution methods for grid optimization.
Click here to learn more.
Put the spotlight on your new product! Have a great new product? Show it off at the new product contest during the 2018 Irrigation Show and Education Conference. Click here to apply.
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Applications for the 2018 Sacramento Region Innovation Awards
Does your local startup or established business have an innovative product, process or service? Self-nominations are encouraged for recent innovations born and raised in Butte, El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, Solano,
Sutter, Yolo & Yuba counties.
For more information or to register click here.
The Energy Commission’s Food Production Investment Program -To learn more or apply for the FPIP click here! Deadline to apply has been extended to September
14th, 2018.
Central Valley Entrepreneurship Academy
October 2, 2018 - October 4, 2018 - Click here to learn more.
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Did you know?
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The WET Center houses a highly advanced hydraulic testing laboratory which has proven to be a strong resource for many companies in the water industry to develop or improve their products and technologies.
Click here to check out this virtual tour of the WET on our Youtube channel! |
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The Technology Innovation Evaluation (“TIE”) process is one of the services that BlueTechValley provides. A technology “Shark Tank,” this program is an evaluation process that innovators and entrepreneurs can utilize to move their water, energy or Ag technology from concept to commercialization. The panel of subject matter experts available to the entrepreneur will provide educated, honest and constructive feedback
on the technology as well as suggest next steps and recommendations.
The TIE committee will also share observations on market trends, competitive
landscape, and assessment of team and business models as appropriate.
Click here to learn more about services on our website.
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Follow us on social media or contact us at bluetechvalley@csufresno.edu! |
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