Investment will substantially strengthen the NSF Futures Engine in the Southwest, enhancing economic growth and job creation
WaterStart was created by DRI, with support from the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED). WaterStart is a non-profit organization that connects innovative technology companies with global water agencies and major water consumers in need of innovative solutions to enhance operations of their business.
Read full press release from GOED below:
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — The Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) is leveraging federal and state dollars to invest $1.8 million into WaterStart, a Nevada-based nonprofit organization that assists innovative water technology companies and startups with developing, commercializing, and deploying technology more rapidly throughout Nevada and across the globe.
“This investment into WaterStart demonstrates GOED’s commitment to fostering the development of water technology solutions to tackle one of the most pressing challenges in our state,” said Karsten Heise, senior director of strategic programs and innovation at GOED. “WaterStart will attract startups, tech entrepreneurs and highly innovative companies in this sector to Nevada and the Southwest, which is going to enhance place-based innovation, collaboration among stakeholders, and will lead to increased regional economic growth.”
Established in 2013 by GOED and Nevada’s nonprofit environmental research institute, DRI, to drive economic growth in Nevada, WaterStart has since evolved into a global hub connecting cutting-edge water technology companies with utilities around the world. Since 2015, it has invested $4.6 million in 50 pilot projects, accelerating the deployment of innovative solutions — over 70% of which have been successfully adopted by water utilities.
“This partnership is an incredible opportunity for WaterStart to strengthen our ties with the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, while welcoming new partners into our network,” said Rebecca Shanahan, executive director of WaterStart. “It’s also a return to our roots — advancing economic development in Nevada through the commercialization of innovative water technologies. Nevada’s global reputation as a pioneer in water innovation makes it the ideal place to drive this mission forward.”
Key outcomes of this investment for Nevada include accelerating technology readiness levels and attracting risk capital while supporting entrepreneurship. This will also lead to the creation of a statewide water-efficient economy and building a skilled workforce in the water sector.
“Water users in Southern Nevada directly benefit from the innovative technologies that WaterStart brings to Nevada,” said Dave Johnson, Southern Nevada Water Authority deputy general manager. “From leak detection and treatment technologies to pressure analyzers and real-time water quality monitoring, SNWA’s partnership with WaterStart helps ensure efficient, reliable water delivery through leading-edge technology and innovation.”
GOED’s investment will also substantially strengthen Nevada’s involvement with the NSF Futures Engine in the Southwest (formerly Southwest Sustainability Innovation Engine, SWSIE), led by Arizona State University. The Futures Engine is one of ten Engines supported by the National Science Foundation’s Regional Innovation Engines program dedicated to advancing transdisciplinary, collaborative, use-inspired and translational research and technology development. Nevada is benefiting from this inaugural award through the participation of DRI, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, GOED, Southern Nevada Water Authority and other stakeholders.
“We aim to lead the world in water innovation, and investments from the NSF and GOED are clear commitments to that mission,” said Brian Sherman, CEO of the Futures Engine. “Though water scarcity is a top concern in our region, it doesn’t have to be a barrier to economic prosperity when our research institutions, federal, state and local government, and utilities work together to advance startups and innovators in water technology. In fact, these collaborations unlock global opportunities and new avenues for prosperity, and that’s what the Futures Engine and partners like WaterStart are helping build and accelerate in the Southwest.”
“It is great to see this investment into WaterStart, which brings experience and home-grown knowledge of water challenges in Nevada and the Southwest along with global reach to bring technologies to the region for testing in real-world conditions,” said Dr. Sean McKenna, executive director of the Division of Hydrologic Sciences at DRI. “As one of the four research institutions in the Futures Engine, DRI is focused on water innovations, and our scientists look forward to working even more closely with WaterStart.”
GOED’s WaterStart investment will utilize support from both the American Rescue Plan as well as the Nevada Knowledge Fund and builds upon the 2023 grant GOED received from the Governor’s Finance Office under the American Rescue Plan Act for the preliminary development of a waterwise economic framework designed to align water resource incentives with economic growth. This initiative aims to tackle water management challenges and incentivize water-efficient practices in Nevada’s thriving economy, creating a synergy between water sustainability and economic prosperity.
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About the Governor’s Office of Economic Development
Created during the 2011 session of the Nevada Legislature, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development is the result of a collaborative effort between the Nevada Legislature and the Governor’s Office to restructure economic development in the state. GOED’s role is to promote a robust, diversified and prosperous economy in Nevada, to stimulate business expansion and retention, encourage entrepreneurial enterprise, attract new businesses and facilitate community development.
About the NSF Futures Engine in the Southwest
The NSF Futures Engine in the Southwest is advancing innovation technological solutions to the regional challenges of water security, air quality and energy independence. As the desert Southwest is beset by increasing resource constraints, it’s also experiencing an expansion of advanced data centers and semiconductor manufacturing to meet surging AI demand. To ensure this economic boom continues, the Futures Engine is advancing breakthrough technologies to address air quality, achieve water security, and gain energy independence. Relaunched under a new name in 2025, the Futures Engine reflects a realignment of regional and national priorities, with technology advancements and infrastructure at the forefront.
About National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engines
The U.S. National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engines (NSF Engines) program was established to advance transdisciplinary, collaborative, use-inspired and translational research and technology development in key technology focus areas. Each NSF Engine can receive up to $160 million to support the development of regional coalitions of researchers, institutions and companies to conduct research and development that engages people in the process of creating solutions with economic and societal impacts. Through the process, NSF Engines will train and develop the local workforce and grow regional innovation ecosystems throughout the U.S. The NSF Engines program provides up to 10 years of funding to establish each NSF Engine.
About WaterStart
WaterStart is a Nevada-based nonprofit driving regional economic growth through cutting-edge water innovation. As part of a public-private partnership — including GOED, Southern Nevada Water Authority, UNLV, DRI, Truckee Meadows Water Authority, and the Futures Engine — WaterStart is fostering a water-efficient economy by accelerating the deployment of water technologies, fueling investment and entrepreneurship, and developing a skilled workforce. Learn more at waterstart.com.
About DRI
We are Nevada’s non-profit research institute, founded in 1959 to empower experts to focus on science that matters. We work with communities across the state — and the world — to address their most pressing scientific questions. We’re proud that our scientists continuously produce solutions that better human and environmental health.
Scientists at DRI are encouraged to follow their research interests across the traditional boundaries of scientific fields, collaborating across DRI and with scientists worldwide. All faculty support their own research through grants, bringing in nearly $5 to the Nevada economy for every $1 of state funds received. With more than 600 scientists, engineers, students, and staff across our Reno and Las Vegas campuses, we conducted more than $52 million in sponsored research focused on improving peoples’ lives in 2024 alone.
At DRI, science isn’t merely academic — it’s the key to future-proofing our communities and building a better world. For more information, please visit www.dri.edu.
