Greg Newbloom, CEO & Founder of Membrion: $23 Million Raised to Build the Future of Industrial Wastewater Treatment Solutions

Welcome to another episode of Category Visionaries — the show that explores GTM stories from tech's most innovative B2B founders. In today's episode, we're speaking with Greg Newbloom, CEO & Founder of Membrion, an industrial wastewater treatment solution that has raised $23 Million in funding.  Most Interesting Points from Our Conversation: The Origin of Membrion: Greg delves into how Membrion started with a focus on improving battery technology but pivoted to wastewater treatment, utilizing the unique properties of ceramic materials inspired by silica gel desiccant packs. The Challenge of Commercialization: Greg discusses the rigorous process of scaling Membrion’s technology from a thumbnail-sized concept to a solution capable of treating multiple gallons of water, emphasizing the importance of achieving a minimum viable product. Navigating Investor Expectations: Reflecting on Membrion’s fundraising journey, Greg highlights the differentiation between investor and customer expectations, and the strategic narrative adjustments required to meet these diverse needs. A Focus on Semiconductor Industry Needs: Membrion targets the semiconductor industry, addressing its complex wastewater treatment challenges by offering a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to traditional disposal methods. Marketing Strategy: Membrion employs a unique approach by offering water treatment as a service, alleviating customers' adoption risks and aligning with their sustainability goals without demanding upfront capital expenditure. Leadership Transition: Greg’s transition from CTO to CEO underscored the importance of team building and mentorship in navigating new roles and responsibilities within a deep-tech startup.