Escaping Pilot Purgatory: The Pathway to Pilot Heaven through the Trial Reservoirs Initiative with Jo Burgess

In this episode of the Exec Exchange podcast, host Piers Clark speaks with Dr. Jo Burgess, Chief Executive of the Tech Ascend Foundation, about “Pilot Heaven” and how to escape “Pilot Purgatory” in the water sector. Jo explains Tech Ascend’s Trial Reservoirs Initiative, an evergreen revolving fund providing repayable grants that de-risks full-scale trials through a trial and purchase agreement with pre-agreed KPIs. Examples include KenWave with Brabant Water, Desolenator with Silal in the UAE, and EnBiorganic Technologies in Canada, contributing to a 72.5% success rate. Jo also mentioned Tech Ascend’s 2026 Keeling Curve Prize finalist recognition.00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro00:27 Jo’s Activist Roots01:44 South Africa Career Journey02:28 Tech Ascend and Trial Reservoirs04:01 How the Model Works04:42 Pilot Heaven Explained05:55 Case Study KenWave Brabant07:46 Case Study Desolenator UAE09:39 Case Study EnBiorganic Canada10:55 Success Rates and Why12:29 Recognition and Momentum12:57 Advice and Closing