In this eye-opening episode of Culture Cast, host Lorne Rubis sits down with Dr. Orianna Bretschger, the visionary co-founder and CEO of Aquacycl, to explore her incredible journey from academia to entrepreneurship—and how she’s transforming wastewater treatment with cutting-edge, sustainable technology.
🔬 Why should you care about wastewater?
Most people don’t think about what happens after water goes down the drain—but wastewater treatment is a $200+ billion industry critical to public health, environmental protection, and even climate change. Dr. Bretschger breaks down:
✔ The hidden problems with traditional wastewater treatment✔ How Aquacycl’s bioelectrochemical tech makes it cleaner, cheaper, and more efficient✔ Why sustainability innovation is a huge business opportunity.
💡 From Lab to Startup: The Entrepreneurial LeapGoing from scientist to CEO isn’t easy. Dr. Bretschger shares:
🔥 Her biggest challenges in transitioning from academia to business🔥 How to build a mission-driven company without burning out🔥 Why character matters more than skills when hiring a startup team
👩🔬 Women in STEM & Leadership
🤝 Culture, Trust & Leadership Lessons
What does it take to build a high-performing, values-driven team? She reveals:
✅ The #1 trait she looks for in hires (hint: it’s not experience)
✅ How to foster trust and accountability in a fast-growing startup
✅ The hardest leadership lesson she’s learned (and how it shaped Aquacycl’s success)
🌍 The Future of Water Innovation
💬 What surprised you most about wastewater innovation? Let us know in the comments!
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#Wastewater #Sustainability #WomenInSTEM #Entrepreneurship #CleanTech #Leadership #Aquacycl #CultureCast