In this eye-opening episode of Culture Cast, host Lorne Rubis sits down with Dr. Orianna Bretschger, the visionary co-founder and CEO of Aquacycl, to explore her incredible journey from academia to entrepreneurship—and how she’s transforming wastewater treatment with cutting-edge, sustainable technology.

🔬 Why should you care about wastewater?

Most people don’t think about what happens after water goes down the drain—but wastewater treatment is a $200+ billion industry critical to public health, environmental protection, and even climate change. Dr. Bretschger breaks down:

✔ The hidden problems with traditional wastewater treatment✔ How Aquacycl’s bioelectrochemical tech makes it cleaner, cheaper, and more efficient✔ Why sustainability innovation is a huge business opportunity.

💡 From Lab to Startup: The Entrepreneurial LeapGoing from scientist to CEO isn’t easy. Dr. Bretschger shares:

🔥 Her biggest challenges in transitioning from academia to business🔥 How to build a mission-driven company without burning out🔥 Why character matters more than skills when hiring a startup team

👩🔬 Women in STEM & Leadership

🤝 Culture, Trust & Leadership Lessons

What does it take to build a high-performing, values-driven team? She reveals:

✅ The #1 trait she looks for in hires (hint: it’s not experience)

✅ How to foster trust and accountability in a fast-growing startup

✅ The hardest leadership lesson she’s learned (and how it shaped Aquacycl’s success)

🌍 The Future of Water Innovation

💬 What surprised you most about wastewater innovation? Let us know in the comments!

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#Wastewater #Sustainability #WomenInSTEM #Entrepreneurship #CleanTech #Leadership #Aquacycl #CultureCast