Waterwhelm has created a revolutionary water treatment system that runs on waste heat or solar energy instead of expensive electricity. Unlike traditional systems that force water through membranes at high pressure, their forward osmosis technology works more like natural processes, using up to 85% less energy and costing significantly less to operate. The company launched its first pilot plant and gained early traction with Veolia, a global water treatment leader. Their technology is well-suited for places like sub-Saharan Africa, where reliable electricity is scarce but sunshine and industrial heat are abundant, allowing communities to produce clean drinking water for under $1 per cubic meter, a game-changing price point for water-stressed regions.