Today we’d like to introduce you to Doll Avant.
Doll, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’m the Founder and CEO of Aquagenuity.
Most of us remember when the contaminated water crisis in Flint MI hit national headlines in 2016. I, like most Americans, was shocked. But as a data scientist and a graduate of Harvard University, I wanted a better understanding of what was really happening. I began researching water’s impact on public health in the United States and discovered a disturbing statistic: there are actually 3,000 locations in the United States with more lead in their water than Flint, Michigan. In fact, 71% of Americans have some form of contamination in their water, yet most of us have no idea.
Most people reacted to Flint as if it were a political problem, but as a data scientist, I saw it as a data problem: the people who needed this critical water quality information did not have access to it. I thought, “Why isn’t there an app for that?” So, I set out to aggregate water quality data for all 50 states: I created a proprietary database to make water quality data accessible and actionable for non-technical users. Based on my research, I was named a Global Impact Fellow by Singularity at NASA Research Park.
This all became personal for me when my dad, who had been a professor, retired to a new house in a small town. He had been there for about a year; then one day, after 72 years of relative health, he was suddenly diagnosed with diabetes. His lifestyle had not changed. His diet had not changed. In fact, the only thing that had changed was his zip code. That’s when I came across an obscure report linking high levels of arsenic in the local water supply with diabetes. But by this time, my father’s health had taken a turn for the worst, and he passed away from kidney complications in June 2017. It made me wonder: how many other people are being negatively impacted by their water and don’t even know it?
That’s when the light bulb went off for me: if I could build a data-driven technology to predict water crises, I could possibly save lives and help #preventanotherflint. So, I decided to reimagine the way the world interacts with their water using the power of data science and the blockchain. And Aquagenuity (where water meets ingenuity) was born.
I believe that water is not a political issue; it’s a human issue. I believe that transparent water quality data should be accessible to all. So, Aquagenuity is committed to using advanced technology tools to make water quality data easy to access and easy to understand for the average consumer. Our mobile app, AquaGenius (currently available to beta users by invitation only) lets you know what’s in your water; what that means for your health; what type of filter you need; it even lets you search real estate or restaurants by water quality. Aquagenuity also provides a proprietary Water IQ Score, IoT-enabled devices, and even sensors for real-time water forecasts to cities and corporate clients around the world.
Since launching, Aquagenuity was selected for technology implementation with Coca-Cola’s BridgeCommunity, which also connected us with multi-billion companies like MailChimp, Porsche and Cox Enterprises. We are a unique technology company that uses big data to provide insights into water quality for consumers and corporations.
I’m a native of Atlanta, a data scientist, and a graduate of Harvard University. As an internationally recognized expert on the intersection of water, wellness, and sustainability, I gave a TEDx talk in 2018 entitled “What’s In Your Water?” and I was named a global “Woman of Water” and featured on a national speaking tour by Google. I was also recently featured on the homepage of Google (not the search results, THE HOME PAGE!) for my work creating “The World’s Largest Water Database.”
Aquagenuity has also been featured by Forbes, WIRED Magazine, and Ocean Visions (an initiative of the United Nations’ UNESCO, Stanford, & the Smithsonian) for “Taking on America’s Water Crisis.” Aquagenuity has received awards and global recognition from Fortune 100s like Coca-Cola, UBS, and JP Morgan Chase for its work as the first technology in the world to help everyday citizens quickly answer the question: “What’s In Your Water?”
Aquagenuity provides water data analytics and tools like a mobile app and dashboard to help consumers, corporations, and cities understand what’s in their water in real-time so they can take action instead of waiting until the next public health or economic crisis. We’ll be taking our technology on tour for the next 18 months to major cities across America. Learn more at http://aquagenuity.com.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The only obstacle we’ve faced has been people who want to make water a political issue. If you look at water through a political lens, you look for people to blame or point the finger at.
But we are not political activists, an environmental group, or whistleblowers. We are a data company.
Water is not a political issue; it’s a human issue.
We believe that by providing transparency about water quality, we can change the way water changes people, and change the way the world interacts with their water.
Based on the support we’ve received from consumers, cities, and corporations around the world, I’d say we’re off to a pretty good start.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Aquagenuity – what should we know?
Aquagenuity is a unique water quality technology that provides accurate, real-time water quality data so that end-users can take action, protect public health, and build more sustainable communities.
Aquagenuity offers a mobile app, a data analytics dashboard, and water quality sensors to consumers, corporate, and municipal clients. We believe that transparent water quality data should be accessible to all. So, Aquagenuity is committed to using advanced technology tools (like big data, artificial intelligence, and blockchain) to make water quality data easy to access and easy to understand for the average consumer. In short, we’re democratizing water quality data so that people can better protect their health. We also make it easy for consumers to support corporations who are good stewards of water resources, and we’re pretty proud of that.
Our mobile app, AquaGenius (currently available to beta users by invitation only) lets you know what’s in your water; what that means for your health; what type of filter you need; it even lets you search real estate or restaurants by water quality. Aquagenuity also provides a proprietary Water IQ Score, IoT-enabled devices, and even sensors for real-time water forecasts to cities and corporate clients around the world.
Aquagenuity is the first technology in the world designed to help everyday citizens quickly answer the question: “What’s In Your Water?” We are the brand known as the authority on water quality, providing credible, real-time water quality data that consumers, corporations and cities can trust.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Aquagenuity is committed to transparency – we report water quality data as it is, without being driven by political motives or hidden agendas. We are also committed to making sure that you don’t need a degree in chemistry or environmental engineering to understand the data we report. This makes our platform a trusted choice for consumers, corporations, and cities seeking a better understanding of water quality data.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://aquagenuity.com
- Email: hello@aquagenuity.com
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/aquagenuity
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aquagenuity/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/aquagenuity/
Image Credit:
Doll Avant/Aquagenuity
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