Gross-Wen Technologies is a technology company.
Gross-Wen Technologies has raised $7.0M across 1 funding round.
Key people at Gross-Wen Technologies.
Gross-Wen Technologies has raised $7.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Gross-Wen Technologies has raised $7.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Gross-Wen Technologies's investors include ISA Ventures.
Key people at Gross-Wen Technologies.
Gross-Wen Technologies (GWT) is a technology company founded in 2014 that develops the patented Revolving Algal Biofilm (RAB™) system, an algae-based solution for wastewater treatment.[1][3][4] It serves municipalities, industrial food and beverage sectors, agricultural facilities, and anaerobic digestate operations by recovering nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater, producing a recyclable algae biomass for slow-release fertilizer, while using less than a third of the energy of conventional systems and capturing CO2 for a reduced carbon footprint.[1][2][4] This addresses nutrient pollution challenges with cost savings, sustainability, and byproduct revenue, evidenced by growth including the world's largest algae wastewater facility in Pasco, Washington, and leadership recognitions like Dr. Martin Gross as EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 Heartland winner.[1]
GWT was founded in 2014 by Dr. Martin Gross (CEO) and Dr. Zhiyou Wen at Iowa State University, emerging from their research into algae-based wastewater solutions.[1][3] The idea stemmed from developing a more economical, reliable method to treat wastewater by harnessing algae to capture pollutants traditionally seen as waste, turning them into valuable resources.[1][3][5] Early traction included patent-pending RAB technology showcased in 2018 via Iowa SBDC support, which connected the team to partners for milestones, and steady expansion to full-scale demos and global pilots.[1][4][5] Key leadership additions like Ken Rubin as President in 2024 and Max Gangestad (COO, Forbes 30 Under 30) have propelled commercialization.[1][2][3]
GWT rides the global push for sustainable water tech amid tightening nutrient regulations, climate goals, and circular economy trends, where wastewater is reframed as a resource for fertilizers amid fertilizer shortages and emissions pressures.[1][2][5] Timing aligns with rising municipal/industrial demands for low-energy alternatives to energy-intensive activated sludge systems, amplified by events like nutrient standards enforcement.[5] Market forces favoring GWT include scalability proofs (e.g., Pasco facility), byproduct revenue, and policy incentives for green tech, positioning it to influence the water sector by enabling carbon-negative treatment and algae biotech adoption worldwide.[1][4]
GWT is poised for accelerated global expansion with upcoming events like WEFTEC 2025 and a maturing leadership team driving commercialization beyond pilots to widespread adoption.[1] Trends like stricter ESG regulations, nutrient recovery mandates, and bioeconomy growth will amplify RAB™'s advantages, potentially evolving GWT into a water tech leader through partnerships, GW Nutrition spinouts, and larger facilities.[1][3][4] As algae solutions scale, GWT could redefine wastewater as a profit center, sustaining its revolutionizing trajectory from Iowa State origins.
Gross-Wen Technologies has raised $7.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $7.0M Series A in August 2021.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 1, 2021 | $7.0M Series A | ISA Ventures |
