From Global Mission to Market-Validated Growth Strategy
Repositioning breakthrough technology to unlock commercial viability and investor traction.
Case Study: Epiphany Water Solutions
The Vision
I worked with a startup CEO at Epiphany Water Solutions who set out to address the global water crisis by bringing clean water to villages in Africa with limited access. The original vision focused on deploying water purification systems directly in African communities.
The Challenge
To move forward, the company needed angel funding and corporate sponsorship to test the technology in market. Strategically, this proved difficult. Local investors in Pittsburgh had limited interest in early-stage ventures focused on international markets, making fundraising a significant challenge.
The Strategic Pivot
Through strategy and creative problem-solving, I helped the CEO pivot to a broader ecosystem approach that addressed urgent local water problems while still supporting the long-term global mission. We applied the technology to treat fracking wastewater, a major environmental and regulatory issue in the United States.
Broader Impact
The strategy created value beyond funding. At the time, the state faced public skepticism around natural gas mining. By partnering with industry and public stakeholders, the pilot helped address environmental concerns while improving public perception. The Governor’s office supported outreach efforts to promote the solution to both the fracking industry and the general public.
Results
This pivot unlocked momentum. Within three months, the company secured $2M in funding from private and corporate investors to pilot the technology. Consol Energy also purchased a $500K minority stake in Epiphany Water Solutions. The pilot proved that the technology could purify fracking water.
Epiphany Water Solutions credits its growth to that first pilot with Consol Energy.