Wavve Stream Business Plan

LES BUSINESS PLAN COMPETITION 2015
1"
We don’t make water filters… We make water filters better.
Wavve Stream, Inc. ! Wavvestream.com ! [email protected]
Eric Beydoun, CEO Ÿ Ivette Rubio, COO Ÿ Julia Lonnegren, CMO
Jingjing Fan, Science Officer Ÿ Enrico Nadres, Science Officer
Wavve Stream Inc.
LES Business Plan competition
May 2015
Table of Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY........................................................................................................ 2 BUSINESS MISSION AND VISION ...................................................................................... 3 BUSINESS DESCRIPTION .................................................................................................... 4 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY .............................................................................................. 5 PATENTS .......................................................................................................................................................... 5 LICENSE AGREEMENT ................................................................................................................................... 5 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY STRATEGY ........................................................................................................ 6 MARKET ANALYSIS ............................................................................................................... 7 INDUSTRY ........................................................................................................................................................ 7 CUSTOMERS ..................................................................................................................................................... 8 COMPETITION ................................................................................................................................................. 9 DESCRIPTION OF PRODUCTS ......................................................................................... 11 PRODUCT ....................................................................................................................................................... 11 ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT .......................................................................... 12 PRODUCTION & EMPLOYMENT ................................................................................................................. 12 MANAGEMENT .............................................................................................................................................. 13 MENTORS AND KEY ADVISORS .................................................................................................................. 13 MARKETING AND SALES STRATEGY ............................................................................. 13 PROMOTION .................................................................................................................................................. 13 PRICING ......................................................................................................................................................... 14 FINANCIALS ......................................................................................................................... 15 SALES FORECAST .......................................................................................................................................... 15 BUSINESS VALUATION ................................................................................................................................. 15 APPENDICES: ....................................................................................................................... 16 INCOME STATEMENT ................................................................................................................................... 16 BALANCE SHEET ........................................................................................................................................... 16 STATEMENT OF CASH FLOW ....................................................................................................................... 16 WQA CERTIFICATIONS ............................................................................................................................... 18 MANAGEMENT TEAM & EMPLOYEES ....................................................................................................... 18 PRE-MONEY AND POST-MONEY VALUATIONS ....................................................................................... 19 LETTERS OF INTEREST: ................................................................................................................................ 21 1
Wavve Stream Inc.
LES Business Plan competition
May 2015
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Brief Description:
Wavve Stream, Inc. operates in the water filtration industry as an original equipment manufacturer
(OEM), specializing in solving technical challenges associated with the removal of water
contaminants. They produce a patented nanotechnology-coating that significantly enhances the
effectiveness of water filter membranes. In 2011 Wavve Stream was awarded an NSF I-Corp grant
to study market demands. They found that many countries, different industries and existing
companies have a vast interest in the development of Wavve Stream’s efficient and cost-effective
technology.
Wavve Stream uses its patented graphene-based coating to simultaneously inactivate bacteria,
remove viruses, and eliminate heavy metals, hazardous chemicals and radioactive materials. The
ability to remove a broad range of major water contaminants in a single process does not exist in
the water filter market today, at such cost effective price. Wavve’s breakthrough technology
establishes new filtration standards in this growing industry.
Mission: It is Wavve Stream’s mission to redefine the meaning of clean water by enabling existing
water filter companies to meet new water regulation standards.
Market: The Freedonia report of Jan. 2014, "World Consumer Water Treatment Systems", states
that Global sales in 2012 were $7.453 billion and $6.432 billion of this was from the Point of Use
(POU) sector. Global demand for consumer water treatment systems is projected to increase at a
more than 12 percent annual pace to $13.4 billion in 2017 (www.freedoniagroup.com). Wavve
targets water filter companies in the POU market that have strong brand recognition and
established customer bases. Wavve Stream offers a value-added technology, thereby enabling
significant partner relationships with POU companies, making their existing filters appreciably
more effective. Wavve Stream targets companies such as KX Technologies, Culligan, Vapur,
Cascade designs Brita and PUR; who have established distribution channels facilitating a rapid
global reach.
Technology and Systems: The Wavve Stream technology is a Graphene-based nanomaterial
coating formulation with exceptional binding properties, applicable on a variety of current filter
membranes in the water treatment industry. The coating significantly enhances the performance of
existing filtration systems by effectively sequestering a broad variety of toxic chemicals, including
heavy metals, organic compounds, radioactive ions, and viruses. The coated filters are able to
inactivate microorganisms in water and yet be non-toxic to human cells. Wavve Streams filtering is
a cost effective solution through an efficient simultaneous process.
Business Strategy: Wavve Stream is a business-to-business company engaged in manufacturing,
distribution and marketing activities. They are a worldwide exclusive license holder of a patented
nanotechnology coating and a patent-pending resin bead technology for water filtration. The liquid
coating technology is readily marketed as an OEM to existing household filtration companies. The
resin bead technology is being perfected for use in higher water volumes for POE industries that
involve prospective partners such as Culligan, Ecowater and Rainsoft. Wavve Stream markets their
technology as an added value to existing filter companies, utilizing their established brands and
global distribution networks.
2
Wavve Stream Inc.
LES Business Plan competition
May 2015
Wavve Stream has seven pending filings under the Patent Corporation Treaty (PCT) that extend into
North America, Europe and selected destinations in Asia. A partnership exists between Wavve
Stream and the University of Houston (holder of the patents) where Wavve Stream has worldwide
exclusive commercialization rights for the comparable technologies in both a liquid coating and resin
bead form.
Currently there is a technology integration research-project taking place with potential partners,
where Wavve Stream is applying their technology coating onto existing industry filters and testing
for contaminant removal. Wavve Stream is currently in communication with five different
companies in hopes that this research project will enable business partnerships. Wavve Stream has
received five letters of interest and two letters of intent from these companies.
Management & Advisory Board: Wavve’s founders originate from four different continents-Europe, North America, South America and Asia and are graduates from The Wolff Center for
Entrepreneurship at the University of Houston. The inventor of the technology, Dr. Debora
Rodrigues, has done extensive research on the purifying properties of this nanotechnology, and will
serve as a key technology member. Wavve hires Dr. Enrico Nadres and Jingjing Fan as scientific
experts. A top-tier board of advisors specialized in the water filtration industry also supplement the
Wavve Stream management team. The four-member board offers over one hundred years of
expertise in Life Science, Nanotechnology, Finance, and Business & Entrepreneurship.
Financing Plan and Projections: Wavve Stream is requesting a $600,000 investment. This initial
investment covers necessary capital equipment & installation, product testing completion, NSF Std.
42 & 53 certifications, raw materials acquisition and working capital needs for the initial year of
operations. Wavve Stream has a partnership with the University of Houston where they provide
incubator space along with a production facility space at low monthly rates. Wavve Stream has
initially received an NSF I-Corps grant of $50,000, and has obtained over $50,000 through business
plan competitions; this money is being used for legal and testing purposes. Wavve Stream’s
technology has just received a $50,000 grant, and has applied for a $100,000 SBIR grant from DOD
& EPA to further test the technology.
Industry: Nanotechnology/Water Filtration - Water purification equipment, household type Machinery Manufacturing - Primary NAICS Code: 333318 - Primary SIC Code: 35890305
Wavve Stream Inc.
Eric Beydoun, CEO & co-founder, [email protected]
5000 Gulf Freeway, Building 4, Room 230, Houston, TX 77023
(832) 882- 7060 www.wavvestream.com
3
Wavve Stream Inc.
LES Business Plan competition
May 2015
Business Mission and Vision
Potable water is becoming more critical to the health, safety, and well being of the world’s
population. Increasing water toxicity and contaminants in the world’s water supply have proven to
be complex to solve and difficult to understand. Currently there are 3.4 million people dying each
year from drinking contaminated water. Recent reports and conference publications underscore the
necessity of having readily available potable water to reduce the risk of conflict. The statistics are
outstanding: 11% of the world’s population does not have easy access to potable water. Even in
developed nations, evolving issues with climate change, drought, and territorial conflicts reduce the
access to and availability of potable water.
The United Nations Environment program predicts that by 2025, two-thirds of the world’s
population will be living under water stressed conditions. Wavve Stream seeks to help this by
providing an efficient and cost effective solution to enhance current water filtration products. Wavve
Stream can achieve this mission by providing the nanomaterial-based technology to water filter
manufacturers with readily established resources. Wavve Stream’s overall vision is to take part in
solving the water problems of the world by improving health, quality of life, and reducing water
related deaths worldwide.
Business Description
Wavve Stream, Inc. operates as an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), specializing in solving
technical challenges associated with the removal of water contaminants. Wavve Stream is a water
filtration company producing a patented graphene-based nanotechnology with unique properties that
enable existing water filtration systems to simultaneously remove various contaminants from the
water, such as: heavy metals, viruses, harmful chemicals, radioactive ions, and inactivate bacteria.
Wavve offers a value-added technology to water filtration companies in various industries, allowing
them to significantly enhance their product's filtering capabilities while simplifying and reducing their
current filtration stages.
According to SBI Energy’s “Water Treatment Technologies and Products Markets (2006-2015)”, the
increase in contamination of potable water has caused a rapid growth in water treatment technologies
due to growth in world population. Global demand for consumer water treatment systems is
projected to increase at a more than 12 percent annual pace to $13.4 billion in 2017. There will be
strong market growth and increasing demand for activated carbon filtration methods; however, such
solutions only remove the taste of chlorine and odor. One barrier to entry is the use of bottled water;
however, poor economic conditions are causing a shift in demand from bottled water because of
negative environmental effects and rising costs. Our biggest competition would be the use of reverse
osmosis, or distillation.
Wavve Stream has come through the Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship program at the University
of Houston as well as the Red Labs accelerator, and over eight successful business-plan
competitions. Wavve Stream has applied for an SBIR EPA & DoD grant, and has been granted a
4
Wavve Stream Inc.
LES Business Plan competition
May 2015
research grant from the university of Houston in the amount of $50,000, to further the capabilities
of their technologies. Wavve Stream’s milestones for 2015 are to acquire NSF Std. 42 & 53
certifications, to find an angel investor with great passion in social ventures, and to setup the initial
production facility to start production and gain revenue.
Intellectual Property
Patents
Wavve Stream’s patent position is presently based on two families of applications. US Patent
8.925,736 of the first family issued on January 6, 2015 and addresses a composition to be applied to
filter membranes. This patent fully covers the effective ranges suitable for Wavve Stream’s water
treatment applications. Along with this issued patent, they have seven countries selected for foreign
counterparts filed under the Patent Corporation Treaty (PCT) and extending coverage across North
America, Europe and selected destinations in Asia.
The premier filing for second family application was filed on June 6, 2014 and addresses a
specialized bead filter medium envisioned for high water volumes and point of entry services. This
US pending application will be expanded with select foreign counterparts through PCT filings based
on a balanced portfolio approach.
Both patent families cover information on concept, application, and capabilities of the nanomaterial
for the simultaneous removal of bacteria and heavy metals that can be commercialized. The main
objective of our patent application strategy is to protect the technology compositions, enhanced
filter media capabilities, material and application uses, and application techniques to achieve these
processes. The compositions of matter addressed in initial patent efforts dominates the capabilities
of bacteria inactivation, and heavy metal adsorption that may be commercially useful in different
industries. Thus Wavve Stream has obtained broad patent coverage by maintaining the ingredients
and effective ranges needed to make this novel technology work. By doing so, Wavve stream focuses
on firmly protecting the advantage their technology provides over the competition.
License Agreement
Wavve Stream’s technologies resulted from research begun at the University of Houston. A license
agreement between Wavve Stream and the University of Houston was executed on October 16,
2014 granting Wavve Stream Inc. exclusive worldwide invention rights to use, manufacture, and sell
products covered by the patent rights. The license terms are tailored to the effective
commercialization of this novel technology. These include (i) a low license fee (ii) zero milestone
payments, (iii) a minimum royalty of less than 5% , and (iii) deferred patent-cost reimbursement.
As holder of the patents, the University of Houston has agreed to bear all patent costs until Wavve
Stream hits an established milestone estimated in March 2017. The total cost will then be added to
the royalty stream for payments over time. The milestones listed in the agreement include
5
Wavve Stream Inc.
LES Business Plan competition
May 2015
applications to governmental agency grants, application to a certification agency, and specific
potential customer involvement. As of today, Wavve Stream has surpassed over half of the agreed
milestones; include those of applying for a Small Business Innovation Research grant (SBIR) from
the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), applying for a research grant from the Department of
Defense (DoD), identifying and applying for certifications from the Water Quality Association
(WQA) that are needed to commercialize, and initiating project integration with potential customers.
Wavve Stream continues to hold a strong relationship with the University of Houston, one that
includes ongoing access to and involvement of the technology inventor, principle researcher, and
specialized laboratories, where research & development, and technology integration is currently
taking place. They currently provide the company with low-rent incubator space, and plan to
provide a production facility at a low monthly rate, both located at the Energy Research Park.
Intellectual Property Strategy
Business Model: As a business-to-business company, Wavve Stream begins by partnering with
established filer companies, leveraging from their worldwide marketing, sales, and distribution
capabilities in the POU residential filter market. These companies currently sell filters and filter
systems to residential end-users needing routine filter replacement.
It is Wavve Stream’s strategy to formulate its proprietary technology in-house and ship it to their
customers, the POU filter companies, to integrate into their filter end products. By doing so, this
provides Wavve Stream less risk of reverse-engineering and imitating products in geographic regions
with weak legal property rights. The initial emphasis on protecting the composition of the material
added to these existing filter products is an effective start and aligns well with Wavve Stream’s
business model.
Wavve Stream will also facilitate the ability of their customers, the POU filter companies, to
communicate to their customers, the end users, all of the benefits of using filter elements enhanced
by the Wavve Stream technology. Providing a trademark license program will help Wavve Stream
grow and manage this recognition, control quality, offer training, and provide value to the filter
companies in their marketing of this as a Wavve Stream enhanced product. This will distinguish
their brand and promote value in their trademarks. Wavve Stream will also include a field of use
restriction to facilitate market segmentation where appropriate.
Although their market entry is focused on enhancing filter performance in existing filter systems,
Wavve Stream will consider how the enhanced capabilities may facilitate additional uses and changes
to existing hardware and filtering processes. These may be published to facilitate freedom of action
6
Wavve Stream Inc.
LES Business Plan competition
May 2015
for their customers, or patented and licensed into service.
Access, Trade Secrets, & Know-how: Wavve Stream exercises full control over Access, Trade
Secrets & Know-how that include: carefully choosing key employees, managing potential conflict of
interests, management and physical restriction over materials and devices used in the proprietary
processes, safe kept records of research & development, and controlled management of technology
integration designs and laboratory procedures.
Contractual Agreements: No significant disclosure of the proprietary nanomaterial filter
technology (including application and complementing agents) will be made available without a
confidentiality agreement in order to protect trade secrets, intellectual property and corporate
interests. Contractual obligations will include new IP developments, ownership rights, and
confidentiality clauses among others. Among other agreements, Wavve Streams legal department
have structured tailored NDA’s and MNDA’s protecting the proprietary interest of the company.
Trademarks: Wavve Stream in the process of registering its trademark name & logo. They currently
own the domain web address wavvestream.com.
New IP: With continuous research & development, Wavve Stream will maintain a superior product
while staying up to date with new water filtering technologies. Wavve Stream will own all
innovations developed from its existing intellectual property, and will obtain appropriate security
measures to protect it, including periodic review, consideration for patenting, and retentions as trade
secrets. Developments in application techniques will be reviewed for patenting or trade secret
protection as they are developed and
at milestone and regularly scheduled
reviews.
Market'Opportunity'
Market Analysis
Industry
Customer)
Need)
Contacted)
In)Tes1ng)
Bacteria(Inac+va+on(
While there are hundreds of
products available on the market for
Heavy(Metal(
water purification, there are only a
few specific methods for treatment
Harmful(Chemicals(
of water. The global water market is
a $466 billion dollar industry (GWI
Nitrates(
Intelligent Report). There are two
common ways in which water
Bacteria(Inac+va+on(
treatment systems are used: Pointof-Entry (POE $3Billion) and Pointof-Use (POU $14Billion). Wavve is
initially targeting the $14B point of
use market that has an estimated 12% growth rate (www.freedoniagroup.com).
12(
7
Wavve Stream Inc.
LES Business Plan competition
May 2015
Customers
As water contamination increases, health concerns arise, and governmental regulations become
stricter. A great deal of effort is expended to make water levels surpass health regulations, but this
comes at a cost to existing water filter companies. Wavve Stream enables existing water filter
companies to meet new water regulation standards by adding value without the need of costly
infrastructure change.
Wavve Stream initially targets residential POU water filter manufacturers, by technology product
integration with their nanotechnology liquid. These manufacturers sell filters often found under a
sink, in the fridge, in a pitcher, mounted onto a faucet or in a filtering water bottle. Once brand
awareness and customer testimonials have been established, Wavve will move into the 2nd Phase
and expand into larger scale filtration products, such as the residential POE market with its second
technology – resin based beads. Wavve will target larger scale filtration applications, such as
commercial food and beverage applications. Past the second phase, Wavve Stream will target more
specialized applications, such as those demanded by the military and NASA to meet their water
purification needs. Wavve will target companies with an established customer base and strong brand
recognition.
Wavve Stream’s target customers, water filtration companies, possess advanced filtration
technologies. However, they cannot simultaneously remove heavy metals, radioactive ions, harmful
chemicals, and viruses while inactivating microorganisms, which is a very important limitation to
efficient water treatment and market reach. Therefore Wavve will offer their customers a solution
without any major system redesign for product modifications. Wavve Stream is currently
collaborating in project research efforts with Cascade Designs, KX Technologies, NASA, CWS, and
Halliburton.
Companies in the United States
KX Technologies, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is a global filtration company providing filtration
systems and is headquartered in Connecticut. KX Technologies is a member of the Marmon Group
of that employ more than 15,000 people and operates in over 250 production facilities with annual
sales of approximately $25.4M (Hoovers). KX Technologies specifically addresses the global water
issue by highlighting technologies for POU filters that Wavve can enhance, for safer drinking water
and effective removal.
Culligan International Co. is one of the major manufacturers and leaders in the residential water
treatment product spectrum. Culligan is headquartered in Rosemont, Illinoi and has over 600 dealers
in the United States and Canada. Annual sales are estimated at 243.1 million. Culligan is engaged in
selling, renting and leasing of water systems to both consumers and businesses in the form of water
softeners, filtration systems and bottled water. Wavve can specifically enhance their POU filters and
replacement filters that are being sold in several retail, grocery, hardware, home improvement stores
etcetera (SBI Energy).
8
Wavve Stream Inc.
LES Business Plan competition
May 2015
PUR is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a from the Kaz division of Helen of Troy Limited
(headquartered in El Paso, Texas), has annual sales in excess of $1.3 billion. PUR manufactures
products for POU systems including; water filter faucet mounts, pitchers, side taps, dispensers,
coolers and filtration systems. PUR has approximately annual sales of $120 million. PUR water
filters remove a wide range of contaminants, however those filters do not remove the harmful heavy
metal, lead, for example, which is one of the major contaminants Wavve’s technology is effective in
removing. The Stainless Steel Style Vertical Faucet Mount is available at PURWater.com for $44.99
and the horizontal Faucet Mount for $49.99.
Companies Internationally
Eureka Forbes, LTD, is headquartered in Mumbai, India. The Indian market is faced with major
challenges due to increase in demand while clean water is decreasing. Wavve’s first potential market
outside of the U.S. is the Indian market for POU systems. Eureka has the largest direct sales force in
Asia and its trained technicians visit homes of Indians daily to explain the benefits of water
purification. Eureka has annual sales of 228.92M (Hoovers). Eureka target markets in major cities as
well as cost effective solutions for the lower end markets. While the lower end market does not
present highest margins, it is the fastest growing and potentially the largest. Wavve will specifically
target gravity filters, an affordable solution that will not require energy for safe and affordable
drinking water in India.
Unilever (Qinyuan) is co-headquartered in London, England and Rotterdam, Netherlands. It is the
world's third-largest consumer goods company. Hindustan Unilever is India’s largest consumer
goods company, with $4 billion in annual sales. Wavve will target the products of Unilever called
Pureit, as well as products manufactured by the recently acquired company, Qinyuan. Unilever’s and
Qinyuan’s products are present in several countries in South Asia, South East Asia, China, Latin
America and Africa. Pureit was in 2012 considered “The World's Largest Seller of In-home Drinking
Water Treatment Systems” (http://www.pureitwater.com).
Competition
Wavve Stream has the following major
direct competitors; Reverse Osmosis,
Distillation, Ultra Violet Systems and
other potential coating applications
using alternative treatment agents.
Technology such as Reverse Osmosis is
excellent in removing impurities, albeit
too expensive to be realistically used in
the areas that need it the most.
Distillation removes bacteria, viruses,
and heavy metals, but the volatile
organic compounds remain in the water.
What is left being used in household
Alternative*Filtration*Methods*
Bacteria(
Heavy(
Metals((
Viruses(
Hard(
Water((
Harmful(
Chemicals(
Salt(
!
!
Ultraviolet(
(
Ion(exchange(
(
Dis?lla?on(
(
Ac?vated(Carbon(
(Brita(Filter)(
Reverse(Osmosis(
(
Waste(4(gallons(for(1(gallon(of(pure(water((
14(
9
Wavve Stream Inc.
LES Business Plan competition
May 2015
filtration systems are Activated Carbon, Microfiltration, and Ultraviolet light. Filter systems that
include micro-filtration are designed to filter bacteria, yet allow the passage of viruses, heavy metals
and organics. Some remove taste and odor from water or require multi-stages that are high in
maintenance and cost and still lack contaminant removal capabilities.
Competitors Limitations
• No Bacterial inactivation capability & creates biofilm
• Require multi-stages for functionality in removing different contaminants
• Expensive to fabricate and maintain
Wavve Streams Advantages
• Inactivates bacteria, avoiding reproduction & biofilm
• One-stage process removes varied contaminants simultaneously
• Materials are low cost & low maintenance making it more cost efficient
Competitors General Information:
Reverse Osmosis- RO is a growing technology effective in removing a wide variety of contaminants in
water. However, a RO unit delivering 10 gallons of treated water may discharge between 40-70
gallons of wastewater. The large amounts of water used to purify 1 gallon water needs to after the
process go through a septic system for additional treatment before being discharged due to the
increase in concentration of contaminants (www.ag.ndsu.edu). In water scarce regions of the world,
this is particularly undesirable. RO technologies are not efficient in removing some contaminants
such as Benzene and VOCs, and the demineralization can cause adverse health effects
(www.who.com). Wavve's coatings significantly enhance the performance of cost effective filter’s
separation, filtration and remediation of a broad variety of contaminants in water scarce regions and
essential minerals remain in the filtered water.
Distillation- Water is first heated when distilling contaminated water and will after reaching boiling
point evaporate, the vapor is then condensed, collected and stored. Although it is an accessible and
effective method to purify water, the shortcomings are several, for example; distillation requires
energy, some contaminants can be carried into the condensate and distillation is a slow process to
attain purified water. Wavve’s technology will coat membranes filtering water through gravity and
adsorption and will therefore not need energy in order to purify water effectively.
UV Disinfectant Products- Although this technology is less common than activated carbon filters,
products using UV light to disinfect water are becoming more popular. Companies such as Wigen
Water Technologies and Steripen are strong competitors as they provide innovative products to the
industrial, home and individual markets. However, this technology removes only some bacteria and
viruses, and no heavy metals. Additionally, UV systems are expensive, making them less accessible
for the general consumer.
Silver nanoparticles & additional coatings- Silver nanoparticles account for more than 23% of all nanoproducts and have excellent antimicrobial agents that will disinfect the treated water. Silver linings
are often applied to ceramic filters and are effective in the removal of bacteria. However, this
method has not proven to be effective in removing harmful chemicals and heavy metals
10
Wavve Stream Inc.
LES Business Plan competition
May 2015
(digitalcommons.uri.edu). Graphene based technologies and research articles from Universities such
as Rice University and University of Manchester, claims to be able to coat sand for the purification
of water or create filters of the graphene-oxide, however there are few technologies on the market
addressing the need for the enhancement of existing filters and a small percentage is past the R&D
stage, (isciencetimes.com).
Wavve possess a fast way to revenue by addressing the need to enhance existing filters within the
U.S. There is a rising occurrence in water alerts due to uncertain infrastructure and environmental
factors etc. Thousands of boil water alerts are issued annually and the growing demand for POU
systems opens up a market for Wavve to provide safe drinking water to the U.S market. With
Wavve’s second technology Wavve will improve filtering capabilities of activated carbon through its
resin beads due to the high surface to volume area that will enable disruptive improvements to
activated carbon in markets where water pollution is a major challenge, such as China and India.
Description of Products
Product
Among others, tested and proved
contaminants removed with the Wavve
Stream technology include heavy metals
like Lead, Arsenic, and Chromium,
harmful chemicals like Nitrate, and
bacteria like E.Coli. The coating
Living##bacteria#
in#Filter#
Coated#Filter#
Dead#
Bacteria#
Sharp#
Blade#
17#
Nanocomposite#polymer;carbon#based#nanomaterial#filters#for#the#simultaneous#removal#of#bacteria#and#heavy#metals#
Wavve’s'removal'of'lead'
Lead)Removal)Capacity))
1200#
Maximum)Removal)Capacity)
Wavve Stream's first product consists of
a Graphene based liquid nanomaterial
solution that can be applied to diverse
types of existing filters, enabling
simultaneous removal of harmful
chemicals, heavy metals, radioactive
ions, viruses and inactivation of bacteria
present in water sources. Our initial
tests prove that it is applicable to many
membrane materials such as, but not
limited
to,
cellulose
nitrate,
polyvinylidine fluoride (PVDF), nylon,
polycarbonate,
cellulose,
polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), ceramic
filters, and glass fiber. Research has
proven that it is a non-toxic graphenebased solution that can be applied onto
current filters; Support for the Nontoxicity Appendix
!!Wavve%inactivates%Bacteria%99.99%%
982.86#mg/g#
1000#
#
46#Gmes#beIer#
than#AcGvated#
Carbon##
800#
600#
Maximum#Removal##
per#1g#of#material#
400#
200#
21.88#mg/g#
0#
Ac#vated)Carbon)
1*#Journal#of#Hazardous#Materials,#Removal(of(lead(II)(by(adsorp3on(using(treated(
granular(ac3vated(carbon:(Batch(and(column(studies(
Wavve)
2*#Journal#of#Materials#Chemistry#A,#Improved(removal(of(lead((II)(from(
18#
water(using(a(polymer>based(graphene(oxide(nanocomposite(
11
Wavve Stream Inc.
LES Business Plan competition
May 2015
technology not only eliminates but also inactivates bacteria to prevent biofilm buildup and is proved
to be non-toxic to human cells. Applying Wavve Stream’s liquid coating to customer’s filters will
facilitate their capability to carry products with higher quality, reliability and efficiency by removing
more impurities than traditional solutions at an affordable price.
The liquid coating technology has been validated through: (i) in-house testing on potential customer
filter media, (ii) peer-reviewed scientific publications including Nanoscale, 2012, 4, 4746
(www.rsc.org/nanoscale), & Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 2013, 1, 3789 (www.rsc.org/
MaterialsA) and (iii) successful technology integration testing with four potential customers. Wavve
Stream’s second product is currently in research and development, and withholds a bigger potential
of filtration using a resin beads technology, where size, porosity and materials can be changed
depending on the customer’s specific contaminant removal need. Wavve Stream has also found a
solution to re-use the beads by efficiently cleaning them.
Organization and Management
Production & Employment
Production of the nanotechnology product requires prior chemical industry training and specialized
skills. Dr. Enrico Nadres, Ph.D., will implement inventory Management and Product Development.
The product inventor Dr. Debora Rodrigues, Ph.D., will direct Product Quality Assurance where
she will have routine quality checks to detect, reduce, and correct deficiencies in the internal
analytical process prior to the release of a product. As growth dictates additional personnel in the
area of chemical engineering and polymer synthesis with a background in nanotechnology
composites will be hired. Wavve’s co-founders will be the leading sales force to grow the company
until additional personnel are hired. A customer service representative will overlook customer
relations and will work closely with distribution to assure timely delivery of the product.
Wavve Stream has a four-step laboratory process to produce the coating solution. The production
process time is 8 hours cumulative and will be done at the ERP (Energy Research Park), at the
University of Houston’s business incubator. The initial set of capital equipment used to manufacture
may produce up to 30 gallons of solution at a time. As sales volumes exceed initial capacity, Wavve
Stream will acquire additional equipment to produce larger product quantities.
The initial product will require a 4-step process: the purchase of raw materials, in-house preparation
of the liquid technology, packaging, and shipping to customers. With continuous research &
development, Wavve Stream will provide customers with superior products while staying up to date
with new water filtering technologies. The production facility at the ERP will strictly adhere to safety
certification standards. We will have access to a chemical laboratory with a chemical hood, bench
space, and tap water supply. The laboratory space will be leased annually, 2 rooms of 225 sq. ft. each
will be needed. One of the rooms will be used to allocate raw material and inventory storage as well
as initial production while the second room will be set up with a vent for production and sonication
of the liquid. Wavve Stream will initially have one lab assistant
12
Wavve Stream Inc.
LES Business Plan competition
May 2015
Inventory & Suppliers
Inventory consists of raw materials bought from price-competitive suppliers within the U.S.,
companies such as Graphene-Supermarket and Sigma-Aldrich. Graphene-Supermarket is a leading
supplier of nanocarbon and graphene products delivering around the globe. Located in Calverton,
New York they will be supplying Graphene solution. Sigma-Aldrich has been in business since 1934
and is the world’s largest supplier of research biochemical and organic chemicals. They are now an
international company headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri and will be supplying dissolvent along
with other materials.
Management
Wavve Stream’s founders are graduates from The Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship at the
University of Houston. Our founders originate from four different continents-- Europe, North
America, South America and Asia--which enrich the company with insights about water conditions
from all over the world. All founders are bilingual and have been exposed to dangerous water
conditions in their respective countries. The cultural diversity is invaluable to Wavve Stream’s
expansions, operations and success. The founders include Eric Beydoun (CEO), Julia Lonnegren
(CMO), Ivette Rubio (COO), and Dr. Debora Rodrigues (CSO). Please see the Management
Team Appendix for additional information.
Mentors and Key Advisors
Wavve Stream’s Advisory Board contributes extensive experience in nanotechnology, business
development, and implementation, which is essential for the start-up process and future growth of
company. The advisors include Duane Dunk, Michael Bridges, Ken Jones, and Debora Rodrigues.
Together the four-member advisory board offers over one hundred years of expertise in Life
Science, Nanotechnology, Finance, and Business & Entrepreneurship. Please see the Board of
Advisors Appendix for additional information.
Marketing and Sales Strategy
Promotion
As a business-to-business company, Wavve Stream’s primary promotion approach is to reach out to
the target market through water filtration conferences, business plan competitions, water
accelerators, tradeshows and seminars in the U.S and around the world. Wavve Stream has been in
contact with potential customers with the help of its experienced advisory board. Wavve Stream will
prepare marketing materials such as business cards, brochures, banners, and presentations as aids for
events as well as publishing’s in trade magazines. Attending these events will assist in product
awareness and brand recognition and will create important contacts with companies that could
potentially become customers. The company will also be present in public speaking events, health
fairs and professional association meetings with a social-impact cause. Wavve Stream will educate
customers on the danger of drinking contaminated water. Such awareness campaigns will build a
socially responsible brand for Wavve Stream that is also environmentally friendly, while promoting
its product and the social impact created.
13
Wavve Stream Inc.
LES Business Plan competition
May 2015
Additionally, another channel of communication with Wavve Stream’s customers is through the
company’s website wavvestream.com. The site is easy-to-use and it will have an informative section
with newsletters, blogs and awareness videos about different topics related to water. The company
will be advertised through highly visited websites related to the water filtration industry and other
social-driven sites and participate in webinars. Wavve Stream’s projection of costs required to
promote the business and the product, steadily increase throughout the first 5 years the company is
in business.
Wavve Stream’s four-step sale strategy has been in place since April 2014. Wavve Stream initially
gets into contact with a company’s decision maker, with the help of its initial contacts and advisory
board. If the potential customer shows interest, Wavve Stream will then sign Mutual NDA’s and ask
for sample filters. Wavve’s science department then does research by coating and testing at the
Environmental Biotechnology Laboratory at the University of Houston. After in house research and
development is completed, results and coated filters are shared with the potential customers. If the
results are as expected, a solid partnership and business strategy is created and both companies
continue forward with a partnership. At the present stage, Wavve Stream Inc. has received a letter of
intent from a potential customer in the water filtration industry, and is in the process of developing
interest in three other companies to gain as customers.
Pricing
Wavve Stream uses a value added pricing strategy, providing customers with a disruptive technology
in the water filtration industry. The product will sell in 30-gallon stainless steel containers for a price
of $3,400 per barrel. 30 gallons of the Wavve Liquid coating can be applied on over 1,130 filters
(approx. filter size: 400cm^2). It will cost Wavve Stream $1 to coat an average POU filter (approx.
size 400cm^2), with a gross margin of 67%, therefore Wavve Stream will sell the coating product for
$3 per filter.
Wavve Stream has evaluated the value-chain pricing strategy and offers their customers, the POU
water filter companies, two options: they may either reduce their manufacturing cost by reducing the
number of filtration stages, or sell the filters at premium prices, typically an added price of $10 to the
end user, by now having newly added contaminant removal capabilities making it a premium
product.
14
Wavve Stream Inc.
LES Business Plan competition
May 2015
Financials
Sales Forecast
Wavve Stream is an exclusive producer and seller of this liquid technology in the water filter market.
During the first year, Wavve Stream focuses on NSF 42 & 53 certifications, 3rd party testing
validations, initial capital investment, and laboratory arrangements for manufacturing, all while
projecting low initial sales at the end of year 2015. In 2016, Wavve Stream’s goal is to sell over 300,
30-gallon barrels. In 2016 Wavve Stream expects to hit Break-Even Subsequently in 2017, Wavve
Stream will begin producing the second technology product- the resin beads that may be added to
activated carbon systems in the POU water filter industry. Wavve Stream will gradually enter larger
filtration industries with its latest technology, the resin beads that are able to work with larger
capacities of water. Sale forecasts are based on the knowledge that 544 million POU filters were sold
in 2014, and that 35% of those sales are generated by these 9 big water filtration companies: Alticor,
Brita GmbH, Clorox, Helen of Troy, GE, Toray, Unilever, Coway, Culligan, (Freedonia report data
2014). Please see the Financial Statements Appendices for additional information.
Business Valuation
Currently, Wavve Stream is valued at $2.5 million dollars; through the Discounted Cash flow model.
In round A, Wavve Stream seeks a $600,000 investment in exchange of 25% equity. Wavve Stream
does not plan for cash distribution to its investors before Year 5. However, on Year 5, return on
investment is valued at 10X , this has been calculated by taking into account all water filtration
company acquisitions in the last 10 years. The initial investment of $600,000 will cover capital
equipment and installation $70,000, POU product testing and certifications $80,000, POE market
15
Wavve Stream Inc.
LES Business Plan competition
May 2015
R&D and testing $50,000, and Working Capital $400,000. See the Key Equipment Needed for
Production and the Pre-Money and Post-Money Valuations for additional information.
Appendices:
Income Statement
Balance Sheet
Statement of Cash Flow
16
Wavve Stream Inc.
LES Business Plan competition
May 2015
17
Wavve Stream Inc.
LES Business Plan competition
May 2015
WQA Certifications
Wavve Stream is currently conducting internal product research, where we will then seek
independent validations through third party laboratory testing. Wavve has selected the Water Quality
Association (WQA), as the ideal organization to undergo both independent laboratory testing and
required certifications to commercialize its product. WQA offers the “Gold Seal Product
Certification Program” which provides certifications equivalent to the NSF certifications needed by
water companies to offer high-quality and trustworthy products. Wavve Stream, Inc. seeks to initially
become certified in Standard WQA S-200, which is the equivalent to NSF/ANSI 53; the standard
addressing health claims due to reduction of various contaminants form the water. The process
including both independent testing and certification completion will take approximately 6 months.
With an initial cost of $65,000 and 4 annual payments of $5,000 Wavve’s products will be certified
for 5 years. After that re-certification will be needed every 5 years with the same cost.
Management Team & Employees
Eric Beydoun, CEO & Co-Founder
www.linkedin.com/in/ericbeydoun/
Eric Beydoun is from France; He is bilingual- fluent in English and French and has professional
experience in Global Sales and Contract Negotiations & Closings. His skills are in strategic
implementation and effective business operations. As CEO of the company he is in charge of
Performance Measurements and Internal Organization. With a BA in Entrepreneurship, and a
multicultural background, Eric helps Wavve Stream maintain direction and a clear company vision.
Julia Loennegren, CMO & Co-Founder www.linkedin.com/pub/julia-loennegren/13/97b/143
Julia Loennegren is from Sweden; She is trilingual- fluent in English, Swedish, and Norwegian and
has professional experience in Health Education, Sales, Retail Marketing, and Customer Relationship
Building. She holds a BA in Entrepreneurship and is in charge of Sales & Customer Account
Management. Along with that, she is the managing member of Wavve Streams Branding,
strategically utilizing a variety of mediums to reach their target audience.
Ivette Rubio, COO & Co-Founder
www.linkedin.com/pub/ivette-rubio/66/65b/249
Ivette Rubio is from El Salvador; She is bilingual- fluent in English and Spanish and has professional
experience in Legal Administration, Banking Sales, and Restaurant Start-Up Operations. She is the
managing member for governmental funding opportunities and has lead three grant proposals for
Wavve Stream since April 2014. With a BA in Supply Chain Management & Entrepreneurship, her
focus is in Strategic Operations and Technology Research & Development.
Dr. Enrico Nadres, Beads Specialist
www.linkedin.com/pub/enrico-nadres/43/938/bab
Dr. Nadres is from the Philippines; He has a Ph.D. in Chemistry with experience in organic
synthesis. He offers expertise in Polymer Synthesis and Microbial Assay. He is Wavve Stream’s
18
Wavve Stream Inc.
LES Business Plan competition
May 2015
Chemist and works directly with the technology inventor conducting research and developing
nanotechnology.
Jingjing Fan, Liquid Science Specialist
www.linkedin.com/pub/fan-jingjing/66/425/161
Jingjing Fan is from China; With a Masters in Civil Engineering & Microbiology, she provides
Wavve Stream with expertise in Nanotechnology and Heavy Metal Removal.
Dr.
Debora
Rodrigues,
Inventor
&
Advisor
www.linkedin.com/pub/deborarodrigues/8/296/3a2
Dr. Debora Rodrigues is from Brazil. As the inventor of Wavve Stream’s technologies she has the
following water filtration focused specialties: Environmental Microbiology, Microbial Physiology,
Molecular Biology, Toxicity of Nanomaterial, Biodegradation/Bioremediation.
Kenneth Jones, Business Advisor
www.linkedin.com/in/kennethrjones
Ken jones is the director of the Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship program at University of
Houston and has the following specialties: Entrepreneurship, Commercialization, Finance, Strategic
Sales, Marketing Strategy, & Branding.
Duane Dunk, Market Advisor
www.linkedin.com/in/dddunk
Duane Dunk is a global market consultant with over twenty years of experience in launching new
water filtration technologies in emerging countries. He is specialized in the following: Water
Filtration focus; "Go-to-market" Strategy, Strategic Partnerships, Licensing, Product Development,
New & Emerging Markets, Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Strategy, And International Regulatory
& Product Certification Processes.
Michael Bridges, Scalability Advisorwww.linkedin.com/pub/michael-bridges/28/655/b56
Michael Bridges is a senior chemical engineer with relevant water industry experience specialized in
the following: Novel Technology Development, Drinking Water Technologies, Environmental
Clean-Up, International Manufacturing, Product Design, Chemical Manufacturing, Business
Development, Carbon, Silica, High Temperature Materials.
Pre-Money and Post-Money Valuations
Pre-Money
Wavve Stream Ownership
Wavve Stream
University of Houston
Post-Money
Percentage
Wavve Stream Ownership Percentage
90%
Wavve Stream
65%
10%
University of Houston 10%
Investor
25%
Note: There is No royalty charge until Wavve Stream has reached its break-even point.
19
Wavve Stream Inc.
LES Business Plan competition
May 2015
Support for the non-toxicity of proprietary material for our application
Chronic toxicity test using human cells show proprietary material to be non-toxic at the level we are
using in our product. Research shows that in epithelial cells, there was no observe toxicity at 85
mg/L (Hu, et al., 2010). For fibroblast cells, toxicity starts at a proprietary material concentration
above 50 mg/L (Wang, et al., 2010).
When used in therapy experiments, we found that the proprietary material showed no obvious toxic
side effects to the treated mice in 40 days. Radiolabelled proprietary material mainly localized in the
reticuloendothelial system, including the liver and spleen, with neglectable accumulation in the lung
after intravenous injection, and could be gradually excreted from mice without causing noticeable
toxicity to the treated animals at a dose of 20 mg/kg over a course of 3 months (Yang, et al., 2010;
Yang, et al., 2011)
The proprietary material that we are using is fixed in the filter that it will not actually be in the
treated water and will remain bonded for the life of the filter. As a result of our research, we are
using very low amount of the key element in the proprietary material that it is not possible to have
concentrations of the proprietary material be released to the treated water even as low as this safe
levels. In our formulation, it was possible to use very low proprietary material concentration in our
product due to the use media dispersant that makes the proprietary material very active.
As for the environmental fate of the proprietary material, very recent study showed that it is
degraded in the environment like organic matter. It can be degraded by lignin peroxide from fungi.
REFERENCE: Yang K, Wan JM, Zhang S, Zhang YJ, Lee ST, Liu Z: In vivo pharmacokinetics,
long-term biodistribution and toxicology of PEGylated graphene in mice. ACS Nano. 5, 516–522
(2011).
Stakeholders Interview
David Sarphie, Nanotechnology Expert / C.E.O (Bio Nano Consulting)
“Bio Nano Consulting is developing a proprietary method for detecting arsenic in water – with
arsenic often being called “the silent killer”. Wavve’s patent-pending nanotechnology could play a
crucial part in decreasing arsenic levels in water that currently affects over 130 million people,
primarily in developing countries.”
Andrew Lombardo, Potential Customer / Principal Research Scientist (KX Technologies L.L.C.)
“POU (residential filter) systems are crucial for the improvement of drinking water quality. KX
Technologies L.L.C hopes to create a mutually productive future collaboration with Wavve Stream
Inc. through possible testing and development of a commercial partnership that would result in a
more efficient and cost effective filter product.”
Jefffery Pennington, Potential Investor / Manager (Memorial Capital Partners)
20
Wavve Stream Inc.
LES Business Plan competition
May 2015
“Clean, drinkable water will become one of the Earth’s greatest challenges in the years to come.
Investors look for industry segments that have large revenue potential, technical solutions that are
difficult to duplicate and a robust distribution system to maximize either technology or product
sales. When the product also addresses a major societal concern or provides societal benefits above
and beyond the basic economic return that is truly a bonus.”
Paula DeWitte, Industry Expert CEO & Co-Founder (Particle Size Engineering, LLC)
“Wavve’s technology represents a significant technical leap in purifying water in an easy, costeffective process that could significantly address the global problem of the lack of access potable
water. Wavve has the disruptive technology as well as the right team in place to bring its technology
to the water purification market.”
Letters of Interest:
21
Wavve Stream Inc.
LES Business Plan competition
May 2015
22
Wavve Stream Inc.
LES Business Plan competition
May 2015
23
DEBORA FRIGI RODRIGUES
EDUCATION
• 2002-2007
• 2000- 2002
• 1995- 1999
Ph.D., Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University.
M.S., Sciences, Microbiology, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
B.S., Biology and Biology Education, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
University of Houston
Yale University
Assistant Professor
Postdoctoral Associate
2010 - present
2007 - 2010
SELECTED PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS (out of 18 publications)
1.
Santos,C.M., K. M. Cui, R. A. M. V. Vergara, F. Ahmed, A. C. Leon, M. C. R. Tria, R. C. Advincula, D. F. Rodrigues. 2012. Dual
functionality of PVK- MWNT nanocomposite coatings: Bactericidal and Anti-corrosion. Macromol. Mater. Eng.(in press doi:
10.1002/mame.20110334)
2. Ahmed F.,C. M. Santos, R. A. M. V. Vergara, M. C. R. Tria, R. Advincula, D. F. Rodrigues. 2012. Antimicrobial applications of
electroactive PVK-SWNT Nanocomposites. Environ. Sci. Technol. (in press http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es202374e).
3. Santos, C.M. M. C. R. Tria, R. A. M. V. Vergara, F. Ahmed, Rigoberto C. Advincula, D. F. Rodrigues. 2011. Antimicrobial graphene
polymer (PVK-GO) nanocomposite films. ChemComm. 47, 8892-8894.
4. Rodrigues, D. F. Biofilters: A Solution for Heavy Metals Removal from Water? 2011. J. Bioremed. Biodegrad. v.2:1. (invited
editorial letter).
5. Rodrigues, D.F., M. Elimelech. Toxic Effects of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes in the Development of E. coli Biofilm. 2010.
Environ. Sci. Technol. v. 44: 4583-9.
6. Rodrigues, D.F., E.C. Jesus, H.L. Ayala-del-Río, V.H. Pellizari, D. Gilichinsky, L. Sepulveda-Torres, J.M. Tiedje. 2009,
Biogeography, diversity, and adaptation: a tale of two cold-adapted microorganisms. ISMEJ. p.1-8.
7. Rodrigues, D.F., M. Elimelech. 2009, Role of mannose and type 1 fimbriae in the development of E. coli K12 biofilm: from initial
cell adhesion to biofilm formation. Biofouling. v. 25. No. 5, p. 401-411.
8. Rodrigues, D.F., S. Sakata, J. Comasseto, M. Bícego, V. Pellizari, 2009. Diversity of hydrocarbon-degrading Klebsiella strains
isolated from hydrocarbon-contaminated estuaries. J. Appl. Microbiol. v. 106, p. 1304-1314.
9. Kang, S., H. Herzberg, D.F. Rodrigues, M. Elimelech. 2008. Antibacterial Effects of Carbon Nanotubes: Size Does Matter.
Langmuir, v. 24, p. 6409-13.
10. Rodrigues, D.F., N. Ivannova, J. Zhou, Z. He, M. Webner, J.M. Tiedje, 2008 Architecture of thermal adaptation in an
Exiguobacterium sibiricum strain isolated from 3 million year old permafrost: A genome and transcriptome approach. BMC
Genomics. 9:547.
11. Rodrigues, D.F., J.M. Tiedje, 2008. Coping with our cold Planet. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. v. 76. No. 6. p. 1677-1686.
SYNERGISTIC ACTIVITIES
-
-
Recipient of Marvis A. Richardson Fellowship (2006) awarded for quality of research and contributions to the Microbiology and
Molecular Genetics department at Michigan State University.
Reviewer for scholarly journals: Nanoscale, Applied and Environmental Microbiology, Current Microbiology, Environmental
Science and Technology, FEMS Microbiology Letter, FEMS Microbiology Ecology, RSC Advances, Soft Matter, Colloids and
Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, Analytical Methods, JZUS-B, Journal of Biotechnology, Global Research Journal of
Microbiology(GRJM), Biofouling, among others.
Served in NSF Panel review and as ad hoc reviewer for grant proposals submitted to the Antarctica New Zealand Program and
the Chinese Research Fund for the Control of Infectious Diseases/Health and Health Services Research Fund.
Served as a session chair at the Environmental Challenges and Innovations conference in February 2011 and co-chaired at the
243rd ACS National Meeting section “Nanomaterial Interaction on Biological Interfaces” on March 27, 2012.
Member of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM), Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors
(AEESP), American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), and International Society for Microbial Ecology (ISME), International
Water Association (IWA), American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), American Chemical Society (ACS).
COLLABORATORS: At University of Houston: Rigoberto Advincula, Fritz Claydon, Abdelhak Bensaoula, Ramanan Krishnamoorti, Hanadi Rifai, At
Yale University: Ruth Blake, Menachem Elimelech, At Michigan State: James M. Tiedje, Michael Thomashow, At University of Sao Paulo: Vivian H.
Pellizari, Solange Sakata, At Qatar: Mahmoud Essam Rashad
Enrico T. Nadres
University of Houston, Civil and Enviromental Engineering Department
4800 Calhoun Rd., Houston, TX 77004
Phone: (469)-571-3489. Email: [email protected], [email protected]
CORE COMPETENCIES
• A dynamic and highly skilled PhD Chemist that is interested in applications of polymers and nanomaterials blends for use in
environmental applications.
• Extensive experience in polymer, nanomaterial and organic synthesis, metal catalyzed reactions and organometallic chemistry, C-H
activation with application in the development of new and efficient production of different chemicals.
• Authors of several papers that appeared in the Most Read in ACS Publications List, specifically in J. Am. Chem. Soc., J. Org.
Chem. and Organometallics.
• Developed several cutting-edge transition metal-catalyzed reactions.
• Worked independently and with minimum supervision on projects assigned, can come up with creative solutions to given
challenges.
TECHNICAL SKILLS
• Extensive experience in polymer synthesis, such as acrylates from living and free radical reactions.
• Experienced in preparation of graphene based and inorganic based nanoparticles.
• Knowledgeable in fabricating surfaces with polymer-nanomaterial blend.
• Expertise in chemical formulations, design, preparation, and testing of smart polymeric materials for biomedical and surface
applications.
• Extensive experience in multi-step synthesis of organic and organometallic compounds from milligram to multigram scale
• Expertise in the development and optimization of new reactions.
• Knowledgeable in C-H functionalization of organic compounds.
• Designed and synthesized acrylate polymers, polyesters, polyamides, polyols dendrimers and star polymers by free radical or
controlled polymerizations, including post polymerization modification and dye labelling.
• In-depth knowledge and hands-on experience in modern analytical methods and characterization including multinuclear (1H, 13C,
19
F, 32P) and 2-D NMR; analytical and preparative HPLC; analytical GC, GPC and GC-MS, FT-IR spectroscopy.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Post-Doc, University of Houston, Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2014-present
•
Carried out multi-step synthesis of organic compounds for use as monomers, ligands, initiators, substrate and for application in
enviromental settings.
•
Prepaped nanoparticles such as graphene-based and inorganic nanomaterials.
•
Formulated polymer and nanoparticle blends for application in environmental industry.
•
Fabricated surface with antimicrobial, hydrophobic and functional coatings.
•
Prepared hydrogels with tunable size and flexible composition for use in water purification.
•
Performed quality analysis of water samples regarding trace metal content and microbial load
Post-Doc, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 2012-2014
•
Carried out multi-step synthesis of organic compounds for use as monomers, ligands, initiators, substrate and for mechanistic
studies.
•
Designed and synthesized low molecular weight polymers, telechelic oligomers and block co-polymers.
•
Synthesized acrylate polymers for antimicrobial and adhesive and surface deposition applications.
•
Modified/labelled polymers for biological application, including deprotection and dye-labelling.
•
Performed microbiological assays such as minimum inhibitory concentration, minimum bactericidal concentration, and microbial
count.
Research Assistant, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, 2008-2012
•
Developed a method that utilizes inexpensive starting materials for the synthesis of pyrrole and furan derivatives. The method
was highlighted in ChemInform (42, 16, April 19, 2011).
•
Discovered a method for synthesis of N-containing heterocycles. The method was highlighted in ChemInform (43, 24, Jun 12,
2012).
•
Developed a method for the arylation and alkylation of amines.
•
Synthesized ligands for ethylene polymerization
EDUCATION
Doctor of Philosophy
Organic/Organometallic Chemistry, University of Houston
Research Advisor: Prof. Olafs Daugulis
Research Topic: Pd-catalyzed C-C and C-N bond formation of heterocycles and amines through CH bond functionalization
2007-2012
Jingjing Fan
[email protected] !7009 Almeda Rd, Apt 1733, Houston, TX 77054 ! (713) 582-4560
QUALIFICATION
- Highly versatile and capable of executing multiple research work in a very fast paced and multidisciplinary work
environment
- Well-experienced in Chemical and Biological waste management and disposal
- Outstanding leadership and communication skills are demonstrated as a Chief Technology Officer in a business
competition team representing the University of Houston
- Strong background with extensive hands-on experience, data analysis, method-development, and troubleshooting of
various characterization techniques: (1) analytical and spectroscopy (GC-MS, AAS, FTIR) (2) microscopy technique
(SEM, EDS, Fluorescent Microscope, AFM) (3) Surface characterization techniques (XPS)
- Strong management skills are demonstrated as 2+ years of experience in managing, training and mentoring a diverse group
of laboratory students
EDUCATION
-
Pursuing Doctorate in Environmental Engineering, Univ. of Houston – TX
M.S. in Environmental Engineering, Univ. of Houston – TX
B.S. in Lanzhou Jiaotong University – China
GPA: 4.00
Sep 2013 – Present
GPA: 3.78
Jun 2013
GPA: 3.58 (Rank 9/116)
Jun 2011
PROFESSIONAL/RESEARCH EXPERIMENCE
Research Assistant – University of Houston, TX
Feb 2012 – Present
1) Oil concentration detection in subsea produced water discharge (Jul 2014-present)
-
Measuring oil droplet distributions in model produced water with confocal microscope
-
Determining the characteristics of oil droplets and solid particles in the produced water at the discharge point
2) Antimicrobial properties of novel semiconductor nanomaterial (Nov 2013- Jul 2014)
-
Pioneered the combination of semiconductor nanomaterial with electron donor for antimicrobial application
-
Investigated the cytotoxicity and antibacterial activity of semiconductor nanomaterial
3) Nanomaterial thin film composite coating for dual anticorrosion and anti-biofouling action (May 2013-Nov 2013)
-
Designed the electro-deposition system for nanomaterial coating using electrochemical methods
4) Heavy metal adsorption by biomass (Feb 2012-May-2013)
-
Identified the metal-resistant bacteria isolated from leachate samples through molecular biology techniques
-
Comparison of biosorbents with adsorption isotherm model for heavy metal removal capacity
Chief Technology Officer – Rice Business Competition representing the University of Houston
-
Advised team members in technical aspects of project
-
Core-presenter in all competitions and led the team to final twenty (20/800)
-
Acted as a liaison between business department and engineering department
Teaching Assistant – Environmental Microbiology and Laboratory, University of Houston, TX
Apr 2014
Aug 2013 – Dec 2013
-
Instructed 19 graduate students in lab experiments regarding microbiology techniques and waste management
-
Graded quizzes, and evaluated lab reports to provide feedback to professor
-
Performed risk assessment for various experiments, ensuring lab health & safety regulations are met
PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
-
The synergism of temperature, pH and growth phases on heavy metal biosorption by two environmental isolates, Jingjing
Fan,
Tugba
O.
Okyay,
and
Debora
F.
Rodrigues,
Journal
of
Hazardous
Materials.
2014
(DOI
10.1016/j.jhazmat.2014.07.016)
-
Antimicrobial Activity of 1T-MoS2 and 2H-MoS2 in the presence of electron donor, Jingjing Fan, Debora F.
Rodrigues, Yifei Li, Yao Yan (under review in Water Research)
-
Jingjing Fan, Debora Rodrigues, Novel antimicrobial activity of semiconductor in the presence of electron donor.
Sustainable Nanotechnology Conference, Boston, 2014, November.
Eric W. Beydoun
(832) 882-7060 | [email protected]
SUMMARY
Co-founder & CEO of a technology startup. Award winning entrepreneur with three years of business plan competition
experience and two years of worldwide experience in sales, negotiating contratcs in America and Asia, working retail in
France, and hospitality in Lebanon. Graduated with a Bachelors from a top ranking entrepreneurship program. Fluency in
English and French, Proficient in Spanish.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Project management
Business Plan Writing and Presentations
Customer Relationship Management
Leadership and Teamwork seeded from Rugby
Basic Financial Analysis
Water Filtration Industry
Basic Management Information Systems skills
French, Arabic, Brazilian, American cultures
EDUCATION
Baccalaureate “C” (Scientific) Degree – Pau, France
European Business School of Paris, France
Completed 36 credit hours towards a degree in Business Administration
University of Houston
Graduated from a BBA in Entrepreneurship
Earned Second place at Cougar pitch 2013, University of Houston Elevator pitch competition
Fall 2009- Fall 2010
Fall 2010- Fall 2014
Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship, C.T. Bauer College of Business,
Spring 2013 – Fall 2014
Earned one of forty-one spots into the nation’s elite entrepreneurship program
Participated in over twenty out of classroom activities including Warren Buffet Trip, PEP, and Wolffest
Led team to first place in entrepreneurship competition against Stanford, Rice, and MIT MBA teams
Southeast Asia Study Abroad
Summer 2013
Team Leader
Traveled as team leader for four weeks, focusing on social entrepreneurship in Hong Kong, China, and Vietnam
Negotiated and purchased coffee and t-shirts to sponsor $8000 worth of microfinance loans for underpriveliged families
Worked closely with group members, professors, NGO’s, international entrepreneurs, and loan recipients
WORK EXPERIENCE
Wavve Stream Inc. (Houston)
Fall 2013 - Present
Co-Founder & CEO
•
Strategised business implementation, effective operations, and managed team of 6 people
•
Developed R&D strategy and managed science personnel
•
Competed in 8 business plan competitions, raised $40,000 in award prizes
•
Applied for 2 research grants, governmental & institutional, raised $50,000 in award.
•
Signed Exclusive License rights to 2 Nanotechnology patent pending IP
Decathlon (Lescar, France)
Internship, Outdoors Sports Sales
•
Exceeded Department Sales Target
•
Earned maximum salary for Intern based on sales performance
•
Interacted with International customers
Summer 2010
Hotel Bristol (5-star hotel in Beirut, Lebanon)
Spring 2010
Internship, Front desk & Events
• Provided administrative support for major Hotel Events
• Handled Front Desk tasks such as: guest check-in, currency exchange, sale of additional services
IVETTE RUBIO
(832) 445- 5729 | [email protected]
EDUCATION
University of Houston, BS College of Technology
Supply Chain & Logistics Technology
2012-2015
University of Houston, C.T. Bauer College of Business
Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship Graduate
2012-2014
Lone Star College, North Harris
AAS in Paralegal Studies
2009-2011
SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
Bilingual: Fluent in Spanish
Proficient in all Microsoft Office programs and legal operating systems including: Time Slips, Time
Matters, ProDoc and Outlook
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Wavve Stream, Inc. - Co-Founder & Leading Grant Manager
2013- Present
• Developed start-up strategy, negotiated exclusive world-wide license on 2 patent pending IP
• Nanotechnology commercialization, market research and SWOT analysis
• Strategic intellectual property development through R & D
• International business plan competitions, raised $40,000 in award prizes
• Governmental funding opportunities, leading manager for EPA SBIR grant proposals
• Institutional research proposal raised $50,000 in grant award from U of H.
Shriver & McLean, LLP- Legal Assistant
January 2011- 2013
• Correspond with opposing counsel, court personnel, and clients
• Managed consultations and maintained accounting documents, case files, and marketing material
• Input legal time sheets and handle all billing
• Translate legal communication in Spanish
McNamara Law Office- Paralegal Internship
July 2010- January 2011
• Correspond with opposing counsel, court personnel, and clients
• Draft pleadings and prepare Prenuptial and Partition Agreements
• Set consultation appointments and maintain accounting documents and case files
U.S. Census Bureau- Enumerator, Seasonal
• Conduct interviews and assist communities with Census Questionnaires
Pappas Restaurants Inc.-Office Administrator
• Input invoices, inventories, time records, and applicant flow data
• Processed cost analysis and weekly sales reports for head management
• Managed 30 employee files and processed bi-weekly payroll
• Prepared daily bank deposits of $6,000 for armored personnel
April 2010-June 2010
April-2006-April 2010
Capital One Bank-Bank Teller
April-2006 April 2008
• Balanced daily drawer of $28,000
• Assisted clientele with deposits, transfers, withdrawals, loan payments, and issuance of gift cards
and traveler's checks.
JULIA LOENNEGREN
5334 Beverlyhill Street, Houston, Texas 77056
(832) 978 3076 [email protected]
Education
BBA in Entrepreneurship, Bauer College of Business, University of Houston, Houston, Texas
Cougar Pride Leadership Academy Member
Financed 100% of education through athletic scholarship
Employment History
Wavve Stream Inc.
August 2013-2014
Co-Founder
• Business plan development and implementation of nanotechnology-based water filtration systems
• Commercialization and monetization of intellectual property
• Establish team goals, mission and vision of early start-up company
• Coordinate meetings with mentors, investors and stakeholders
• Public speaking at national and international business plan competitions
Lululemon Athletica, Houston, Texas
June 2013-January 2014
Educator
• Provide guests with highest quality experience and in-store education in regards to products,
culture and community through articulate and authentic dialogue
• Product Education: inform customers on fit, functions, features and fabric properties
• Culture Education: express the culture held by the company through entrepreneurial
responsibilities and an atmosphere of passion, empowerment and fun healthy living
• Community Education: share health and fitness related community occurrences to guests
• Processing of stock from warehouse, involving: merging and inventory control
OMAB (Construction Company), Loddekopinge, Sweden
May 2010-August 2010
Billing Coordinator & Administrative Assistant
• Manage daily business tasks: A/P, A/R and G/L
• Enter, match and process invoices on a daily basis
• Calculate salaries regarding hours worked, 20 employees
• Cash handling procedures: compute and record daily revenue of affiliated car wash company
• Answer 10-20 daily phone calls, assist and redirect to correct departments
Skills
• Complete Microsoft Office capability
• Trilingual: Fluent in English, Swedish and Norwegian
Awards
• Wells Fargo Clean Tech Prize, Rice Business Plan Competition, 2014
• First Place at the Global Student Business Plan Competition, 2014
• World Championship Platform Competitor Diving Shanghai, 2011
• MVP University of Houston Swimming & Diving, 2013
• National Team Representative Diving, 2007-2013
• Champion Platform Diver, Ranked # 1 in Scandinavia, 2010-2012