How Water Utilities Benefit From Supporting Startups With Reverse Pitches, Pilots, and Procurement - and How Permitting Drives The Market - with AMWA's Tom Dobbins

In this Interview, we meet Tom Dobbins who is the Chief Executive Officer of the Association for Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA), a Public Sector Advocacy and Knowledge-Sharing Organization based in Washington, D.C. AMWA represents large metropolitan drinking water agencies, focusing on advocacy and the exchange of best practices among utilities.

ONE-LINER:

"Without innovation, we don’t grow, we don’t compete, and we don’t succeed."

Pitch/Reverse Pitch:

Don’t miss Tom's Overview of AMWA and its mission, which you can find on the video from [2:29] to [4:47].

Discussion:

After the overview, we discuss:

• The critical role of advocacy in shaping regulations that impact the water industry and how AMWA supports utilities in navigating these challenges.
• The importance of innovation in the water sector and how startups can bring new ideas and solutions to long-standing problems.
• The need for effective communication with policymakers and the role of small businesses in driving economic growth and innovation.

Insights:

At [12:24], Tom shares his passion for supporting small businesses and innovation, rooted in his personal and professional background.

Advice:

At [41:15], Tom advises on how startups can navigate the procurement processes in large utilities, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and partnerships with established firms to gain a foothold in the market.