WQA hosts HydroPitch Challenge at 2025 Convention
Innovators to pitch groundbreaking water solutions in live session and Expo
LISLE, Ill. – Three companies tackling key water challenges in residential, commercial, and light industrial sectors will pitch their game-changing solutions to a panel of industry leaders in at the WQA Convention & Expo, April 22-24 in Long Beach, Calif. The challengers also will exhibit at the Expo, giving Convention attendees an opportunity to see the innovations – and meet the innovators – up close.
The challengers will take the stage on April 23 to pitch their game-changing solutions to a panel of industry leaders in a Convention general session. Developed in collaboration with The Water Council, HydroPitch offers challengers valuable exposure and strategic guidance to accelerate their impact in the industry.
“The future of water quality depends on breakthrough innovation. The HydroPitch Challenge is a supportive setting that gives companies a stage to showcase solutions that could transform the industry,” said WQA Chief Executive Officer Pauli Undesser, MWS, CAE. “Through our collaboration with The Water Council, we’ve selected participants with real potential to shape the future of water treatment.”
The challengers are:
- Genisis Systems, whichis pioneering atmospheric water generation (AWG) technology with an innovative system that efficiently extracts clean drinking water from the air. Their approach offers a decentralized and sustainable water source, particularly valuable for regions facing water scarcity, off-grid operations, and commercial applications seeking to enhance water resilience.
- Kedeya, which is revolutionizing hydration with its closed-loop beverage system. Its kiosks sanitize, refill, and dispense stainless steel bottles using local tap water and advanced filtration, eliminating up to 99.9% of plastic waste. Through its Hydration-as-a-Service (HaaS) model, Kadeya provides AI-driven hydration recommendations, enhancing worker safety, OSHA compliance, and sustainability while cutting costs and logistical challenges.
- Vienna Water Monitoring Solutions (VWMS), which has developed ColiMinder, an automated system for real-time microbial contamination monitoring. Used throughout the water cycle, ColiMinder delivers results within 15 minutes, helping optimize treatment processes by detecting contamination early and enabling data-driven decisions.
Unlike traditional investment-focused pitch events, the HydroPitch Challenge emphasizes industry recognition and strategic mentorship. The presenting companies will receive feedback from a panel of seasoned water treatment experts who will provide insights into scaling, commercialization, and industry integration.
They also receive booth space at the Expo, April 23 & 24, giving them an opportunity to introduce their innovations to a wider audience of industry peers.
“We hear all the time that what entrepreneurs need most is connections,” said Karen Frost, vice president of economic development and innovation for The Water Council. “We’re excited to provide these companies with the opportunity to engage directly with industry leaders and accelerate their impact in solving global water challenges.”
The 2025 WQA Convention & Expo will be held at the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center in Long Beach, Calif. It features three days of education sessions, general industry sessions, networking receptions, workshops and the industry’s largest Expo. Registration and hotel information is at wqa.org/convention.