Understanding New York City's Water Challenges and Startup Opportunities with the Environmental Tech Lab with Paul Rush and Maria Gotsch

In this Interview, we meet Paul Rush, Deputy Commissioner for the Bureau of Water Supply at the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and Maria Gotsch, CEO of the Partnership Fund for New York City. Together, they discuss the collaboration between the DEP and the Partnership Fund’s Environmental Tech Lab to bring innovative water technologies to New York City.

ONE-LINER:

"We’re connecting cutting-edge technologies with New York City’s water systems to solve some of the city’s most pressing environmental challenges."

Pitch/Reverse Pitch:

Don’t miss Paul and Maria’s Overview of their collaboration and how they are opening doors for startups to pilot new technologies within the New York City water system, which you can find on the video from [4:40] to [21:54].

Discussion:

After the overview, we discuss:

• The New York City DEP’s vast responsibilities, including providing drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater services, and their proactive approach to addressing emerging contaminants and adapting to climate change.
• The Partnership Fund’s Environmental Tech Lab, which facilitates the testing and implementation of innovative technologies within city agencies, focusing on operational efficiency and resilience against climate impacts.
• The strategic importance of bridging the gap between startups and government agencies, allowing for real-world applications and scaling of innovative solutions that address critical urban challenges.

Insights:

At [18:42], Maria emphasizes the importance of developing processes that enable startups to navigate the complexities of government procurement, ensuring that innovation can thrive within public sector constraints.

Advice:

At [26:58], Paul and Maria advise startups to understand the specific needs of their clients and to be flexible and responsive, noting that successful innovation in the water sector requires both technical excellence and strong partnerships.