WaterTech Futures 2.0: Unlocking Critical Minerals From Industrial Water

WaterTech Futures returns to New York Climate Week, bringing together more than 200 people across water technology, industry, investment, utilities, and climate innovation for an evening of industry perspectives, startup discovery, and networking. As demand for critical minerals accelerates, recovering valuable materials from industrial water streams is emerging as an important opportunity at the intersection of water, energy, and resource security. During New York Climate Week, we are bringing together the companies, investors, and innovators working to turn that opportunity into commercial reality. Doors open at 4:30 PM for open networking. Seated programming begins at 5:30 PM. The State of WaterTech Tom Ferguson of Burnt Island Ventures will open the evening with a perspective on why water matters, what is changing across the sector, and where he sees the biggest opportunities emerging. Unlocking Critical Minerals | Panel Mike Lyons, CTO of Select Water Solutions, and Alex Wylie, CEO of Liberty Stream Infrastructure, join a conversation moderated by Amanda Lounsbury of Xylem. The panel will explore where the strongest commercial opportunities are emerging for critical mineral recovery from alternative sources and industrial water streams, what is driving investment and deployment, and what technologies need to demonstrate to move from pilot to scale. Expect a candid discussion on customer needs, project economics, technical requirements, and the partnerships needed to bring new solutions to market. Startup Showcase Ten rapid-fire pitches from Xylem Innovation Challenge semi-finalists working across critical minerals recovery and adjacent technologies. Meet emerging companies developing new approaches to resource recovery, water treatment, and industrial applications. Following the pitches, attendees will have the opportunity to meet the founders, learn more about their technologies, and connect around potential pilots, partnerships, and investment. The evening will also include plenty of time for open networking with leaders from across the water, industrial, investment, and climate technology ecosystem. Meet the Hosts ClimateHaven’s Water Innovation Hub: Accelerating the commercialization and deployment of water technologies through pilots, industry partnerships, data, and capital. Wilson Sonsini: Premier law firm supporting technology companies and investors across the innovation ecosystem. Xylem: Global water technology leader helping utilities, industries, and communities address critical water challenges. Burnt Island Ventures: Water-focused venture capital firm backing entrepreneurs building the future of water. Echo River Capital: Early-stage investor advancing technologies that digitize, decarbonize, and decentralize the water cycle.XPV Water Partners: Water-focused investment firm backing companies and technologies addressing global water challenges. Yale: Leading research university advancing innovation in water, climate, and sustainability through initiatives like Yale Planetary Solutions. Regional Water Authority: Public water utility bringing new water technologies into real-world operations.