What is your mission in 140 characters or less?

To create an informed, engaged global water community by providing opportunities to share news and stories on water.

 

What does your business do, in 140 characters or less?

We provide water news and features edited for a popular audience.

 

Why are you launching this business, in 140 characters or less?

A broader understanding of water stories will help to create a global water community.

 

Describe your products and/or services. Please focus on the benefit they will provide or the problem they will solve for your customers.

WaterWonks.com will provide easy access to water news and features on the people, policies, programs, projects, and products, sharing stories and new developments in a fun and engaging manner, written for a popular audience. We will provide a collaborative space where individuals involved in water education, communications, and outreach at all levels, both paid professionals and volunteers, can find educational materials, and serve as a guide to other sources of additional water information.

 

In more detail, why are you launching this business?

There have been rapid and critical developments in our understanding of—and responses to—water and related issues (e.g., climate change and energy). The public has a high interest in water, but little time, money, and effort is put into the “translation” and dissemination of water information. To be fully informed on water development and potential policies and behavioral changes, decision-makers and the general public would benefit from an increased understanding of human links with water and opportunities to become better stewards of water resources, and also understand the community of individuals and organizations that manage and protect our water supplies and resources.

 

How do you plan to make a positive long term social and/or environmental impact?

WaterWonks.com will support the development of a national and global water community. A society that is more engaged in water, and that understands each other’s stories about water, is better able to share, steward, and celebrate those water resources.

 

What relevant knowledge, skills, and experience does your management team have? If there are other positions you need to fill what is your plan to fill them?

With more than 20 years' experience in water resources planning, policy, and education, and a broad network of contacts throughout the various aspects of the water industry, founder Cat Shrier has developed numerous creative approaches to water education, communications, and outreach, development of knowledge-based decision support systems, agency websites and public meetings, the creation of public water communities through educational forums, tours, art exhibits, and other ways of allowing people to share their stories and perspectives around water. For WaterWonks.com, Dr. Shrier has been assembling a team of advisors and potential partners and staff that includes individuals with experience with shared space social media site development; newsroom management, news editing and journalism; entrepreneurship and business creation and development; and water education for different audiences, including policymakers, K-12, public interest and stakeholder organizations.

Number of Founders

1

Primary Contact Team Members

Please Describe how your business will utilize the funds you are raising

Founder Cat Shrier has been conducting extensive research and outreach to identify the market needs with respect to water education, communications, and outreach throughout the water community, as well as in the business, investor, news publishing, and social media arenas, in order to support the development of a water news and education online center and potential revenue streams for a viable business model.

 

What is the current stage of your business?

Idea Phase

 

Has your business generated any revenue yet?

No

 

Whether you have earned revenue or not, does your business currently have any non-paying customers such as product testers, beta users, promotional members, etc?

No

 

Has your business been incorporated yet?

Yes

 

How does your business make money?

Corporate sponsorships, advertising sales, paid coverage and consulting services for water communications and education program development and implementation.

 

What are your specific goals for this business in terms of revenue, staffing, and/or key impact metrics?

By December 8, 2011: Deadline for initial capital raise for advancement to Round 2 of the William James Foundation Sustainable Business Plan Competition. By January 5, 2012: Complete initial capital raise through LAUNCHT site. By January 30, 2012: Launch partial beta website (minimally viable product), begin trial of online products. By June 30, 2012: Launch full beta websites for several products and services. Other steps and team development efforts under development.