In this episode of the FoodTech Junkies Podcast, host Sharon Cittone sits down with Liana Thompson, co-founder Aquaai, a pioneering robotics startup tackling ocean and waterway health. Liana shares her journey from journalism to climate tech entrepreneurship, highlighting how Aquaai is developing cutting-edge robotic solutions to combat water scarcity and promote marine conservation. Discover how Aquaai harnesses biomimicry to create efficient, affordable underwater drones, and the broader implications of their work on biodiversity and climate resilience. Liana also sheds light on the challenges of scaling a climate-tech startup, navigating funding landscapes, and fostering education and community engagement in ocean preservation.

Episode Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction: Waterways and Carbon Sinks

00:11 Food Tech Junkies intro

00:52 Guest Introduction: Liana Thompson of Aquaai

02:11 Liana’s Journey from Journalism to Robotics

05:56 The Mission and Vision of Aquaai

14:56 Challenges in Water Scarcity and Climate Impact

18:27 Aquaai’s Global Expansion and Market Entry

25:34 Funding and Commercialization Challenges

37:57 The Role of Education and Community Engagement

41:26 Closing Thoughts and Future Projects