Tackling PFAS in Environmental Services and The Role of Corporate Venture Capital in Driving Sustainable Innovation with Heritage Group Clean Waters' Amy Conley and HG Ventures Ginger Rothrock

In this Interview, we meet Ginger Rothrock, Senior Director at HG Ventures, and Amy Conley, Environmental Sales Leader at Clean Waters, both part of The Heritage Group based in Indianapolis, Indiana. HG Ventures focuses on investing in sustainable infrastructure and environmental solutions, while Clean Waters is dedicated to developing innovative PFAS remediation technologies.

ONE-LINER:

"We’re bridging the gap between innovation and industry, investing in startups that are transforming legacy sectors with sustainable solutions.."

Pitch/Reverse Pitch:

Don’t miss Ginger and Amy’s Overview of their roles within The Heritage Group and how they support water startups, which you can find on the video from [4:40] to [21:54].

Discussion:

After the overview, we discuss:

• The structure of The Heritage Group, a 90-year-old industrial conglomerate, and its commitment to innovation through HG Ventures, which invests in startups focused on sustainability, water, and environmental technologies.
• Clean Waters’ approach to managing PFAS contamination through tailored, site-specific solutions, including transportation, destruction, and on-site remediation services.
• The strategic importance of partnerships, both within The Heritage Group and with external startups, to advance new technologies in the water and environmental sectors.

Insights:

At [18:42], Ginger emphasizes the need for startups to address both sustainability and significant corporate problems, noting that successful water technologies must offer economic value alongside environmental benefits.

Advice:

At [26:58], Amy advises startups to have a clear strategy and focus, stressing the importance of understanding client needs and building strong relationships to navigate the complex sales cycles of large corporations.