We work with hundreds of startups in the health, medical, IoT, and many other segments. We mentor, advise, invest in them also, after a very rigorous vetting and due diligence process. We checked out this "fancy" product and frankly we are amazed how they can get the traction and also saddened that the GEN mentors have selected this early seed startup. It's a very fancy smartphone connected solution for what? Your water consumption is on your water bill already, your water quality is checked annually and is also on your water bill (there are very simple test kits you can by from the hardware store), your hot water temperature is controlled by your water heater thermostat control... We have serious water problems in our cities, especially in the US with a crumbling water distribution infrastructure leaching lead and other metals in the potable water system. This fancy pants gadget gives you an idea of the water quality (we are not sure how a simple battery operated sensor can check some of the lead and other metals, but that's another question) and some consumption information (maybe useful for totally connected people with access to a lot of things). But it does not solve the most critical, crucial and important issue! Clean tap water! This is a perfect example on where the money of angel, private and institutional investors is wasted. No wonder the statistics don't lie and over 95% of startups fail. This gadget sounds and smells like another Theranos....
Published by Hal Tezcan, Cofounder
We work with hundreds of startups in the health, medical, IoT, and many other segments. We mentor, advise, invest in them also, after a very rigorous vetting and due diligence process. We checked out this "fancy" product and frankly we are amazed how they can get the traction and also saddened that the GEN mentors have selected this early seed startup. It's a very fancy smartphone connected solution for what? Your water consumption is on your water bill already, your water quality is checked annually and is also on your water bill (there are very simple test kits you can by from the hardware store), your hot water temperature is controlled by your water heater thermostat control... We have serious water problems in our cities, especially in the US with a crumbling water distribution infrastructure leaching lead and other metals in the potable water system. This fancy pants gadget gives you an idea of the water quality (we are not sure how a simple battery operated sensor can check some of the lead and other metals, but that's another question) and some consumption information (maybe useful for totally connected people with access to a lot of things). But it does not solve the most critical, crucial and important issue! Clean tap water! This is a perfect example on where the money of angel, private and institutional investors is wasted. No wonder the statistics don't lie and over 95% of startups fail. This gadget sounds and smells like another Theranos....