Tech Innovation for the Environment; Erie Hack Winner-Micro Buoy

A team of doctoral students from Wayne State University in Detroit took first place at the inaugural multi-state Erie Hack technology challenge. The technology challenge came on the second and final day of the Erie Hack Water Innovation Summit, presented by the Cleveland Water Alliance and their local partner, TechTown Detroit. Speakers discussed issues related to water, such as pollution, conservation and delivery with the winner walking away with $50,000 in cash and business-support services to apply to their environmental innovation: in the case of Micro Buoy - a tiny, solar-powered sensor that can be mounted on buoys to detect harmful contaminants in water. The Wayne State contingent was one of nine teams from cities along Lake Erie that gave six-minute pitches before a panel of four judges, a la Shark Tank.

Please join our host, Melissa Birnie and Nirul Masurkar one of the founders of Micro Buoy when they discuss their project, participating in the challenge, and what's next on their agenda.