WTR Small-Cap Spotlight

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Join Tim Gerdeman, Vice Chair & Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer at WTR, and Peter Gastreich, Senior Energy Transition and Sustainability Analyst, as they dive into WTR’s Initiation of Coverage report for Comstock Inc. (NYSE: LODE), a Nevada-based innovator tackling clean energy and industrial bottlenecks. Discover how Comstock’s businesses are driving growth include its cutting-edge solar panel recycling (metals business), historic mining assets, strategic real estate, and renewable fuels (Bioleum subsidiary). Get insights on the outlook for silver, aluminum, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and learn why these are important to the outlook for LODE. Peter also discusses project economics and shares WTR’s financial forecasts for LODE including its rapid EBITDA growth to 2030. 

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On this week's episode of the WTR Small-Cap Spotlight, Arthur Sams, President, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Polar Power (NASDAQ ticker POLA), joined Tim Gerdeman, Vice Chair & Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Water Tower Research, and Peter Gastreich, Energy and Sustainable Investing Analyst at Water Tower Research. Sams highlights the company's innovative DC power and cooling solutions, which offer substantial fuel savings and reliability for telecom, EV charging, and microgrid applications. POLA is actively diversifying its revenue sources beyond telecom into residential, industrial, and military markets, leveraging its engineering expertise and production capacity. The company is tackling supply chain and tariff challenges by manufacturing most components in-house and adapting quickly to market changes. Sams points to a growing backlog, new product launches, and strategic partnerships as key drivers for future growth and mainstream adoption over the next 12 to 18 months.

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In this episode of WTR Small-Cap Spotlight, host Tim Gerdeman and analyst Robert Sassoon speak with Eric Poma PhD, CEO of Calidi Biotherapeutics Inc (NYSE American: CLDI).  The discussion focuses on how Calidi is solving the "delivery problem" in cancer treatment, and specifically how to transport cancer-killing oncolytic viruses systemically through the bloodstream without the body’s immune system neutralizing them before they reach the tumor.

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On this week's episode of the WTR Small-Cap Spotlight, Philipp Stratmann, CEO of Ocean Power Technologies (NYSE: OPTT), joined Tim Gerdeman, Vice Chair & Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Water Tower Research, and Peter Gastreich, Energy and Sustainable Investing Analyst at Water Tower Research. OPT is rapidly advancing maritime domain awareness with autonomous solutions for defense, energy, and research. Stratmann spotlights OPT’s breakthrough $5 million DHS contract for its game-changing first multi-buoy deployment, emphasizing deep integration with Coast Guard systems on the Pacific Coast. Leveraging unique, self-recharging buoys, OPT stands apart from competitors and is expanding its pipeline with more multi-asset, recurring contracts. With momentum in defense and security contracts related to the U.S. maritime border and strategic growth overseas, Stratmann is bullish on OPT’s outlook.

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Tune in to the latest WTR Small-Cap Spotlight Flashcast! Join Tim Gerdeman, Vice Chair & Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer at WTR, and Peter Gastreich, Senior Energy Transition and Sustainability Analyst, as they discuss Peter’s recent report and: 1) concerns from scientists about over-reliance on carbon capture and storage (CCS) as a climate solution; 2) the benefits of CCS with ethanol and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF); 3) what makes SAF scalable, sustainable, and economically beneficial; 4) other viable pathways like woody biomass waste and plastics-to-fuel; and 5) related companies including Abundia Global Impact Group (AGIG), Comstock (LODE), Gevo (GEVO), and Green Plains (GPRE).

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In this episode of WTR Small-Cap Spotlight, host Tim Gerdeman and analyst Robert Sassoon speak with Dwight Egan, CEO of Co-Diagnostics Inc. (NASDAQ: CODX), about the company’s evolution from a pandemic-era PCR testing provider to a diversified molecular diagnostics leader. In our discussion, Egan highlights the Co-DX PCR Pro, a portable, cost-effective device that delivers gold-standard PCR testing outside the lab and explains how its patented Co-Primer multiplexing technology sets it apart from competitors. Our conversation also covers Co-Diagnostics’ “razor-and-blade” business model, its pipeline of testing capabilities targeting high-impact infectious diseases, the role of AI in manufacturing and diagnostic optimization, and the commercial strategies needed to achieve long-term financial success.

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In our latest WTR Flashcast, host Tim Gerdeman and technology analyst James Kisner break down Water Tower Research's initiation of coverage on C3 AI (NYSE: AI). They explore how C3 serves as an "enterprise AI operating layer" that sits above cloud providers and foundation models, helping large organizations connect AI capabilities to their internal data and workflows. The discussion covers C3's recent financial reset and leadership transition, the growing importance of federal government customers, and how generative and agentic AI are becoming the front door into the platform. James also walks through why C3 has become a credible acquisition candidate for strategic buyers like Microsoft or IBM. 

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Chemicals and Materials Technology analyst Dmitry Silversteyn discusses Avient’s history of evolution from an M&A driven business model to an above-GDP organic grower driven by technology, customer intimacy and new market penetration, led by a strong management team with the right expertise. 

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In this episode of WTR Small-Cap Spotlight,  host Tim Gerdeman and analyst Robert Sassoon talk with Apyron CEO Jaggi Gill about the company's innovative neurostimulation technology for chronic pain, an all too prevalent affliction affecting millions of people.  Gill explains why Apyron’s patient-focused approach stands out, and outlines the market opportunity and commercialization strategy.

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In this WTR Small-Cap Spotlight, host Tim Gerdeman and WTR’s James Kisner speak with James McCormick, CEO of Cloudastructure (NASDAQ: CSAI), about bringing AI to video surveillance and remote guarding. The discussion covers how the company's cloud analytics continuously review site activity, prioritizes real events with AI, and enables trained specialists to perform live interventions to prevent escalation. Other topics include Cloudastructure's land-and-expand momentum with top multifamily managers and expansion into logistics (truck-parking/yard environments), commercial sites, and construction. McCormick also highlights proof points such as high customer retention and ROI, and the 2026 scorecard: revenue growth, deeper penetration and new logos in target verticals,  and a disciplined path toward cash-flow positivity and profitability.