TLDR:
- Tampa startup, Genesis Systems, lands a $1.2 million U.S. Air Force contract for technology that creates water from the air.
- The technology is aimed at providing reliable fresh water in disaster environments.
The U.S. Air Force has awarded a $1.2 million contract to Tampa-based Genesis Systems for its innovative technology that converts thin air into water. The portable water-generating device, called WaterCube 100, is designed to be carried by two people and powered by a vehicle. This contract is part of the Small Business Innovation Research program, emphasizing the collaboration between government and research startups. Genesis Systems, which relocated to Tampa in 2021, is focused on developing water and food technologies and has raised over $10 million in seed funding.
Full Article:
The U.S. Air Force has awarded a $1.2 million contract to Tampa-based Genesis Systems for its innovative technology that converts thin air into water. The portable water-generating device, called WaterCube 100, is designed to be carried by two people and powered by a vehicle. This contract is part of the Small Business Innovation Research program, emphasizing the collaboration between government and research startups. Genesis Systems, which relocated to Tampa in 2021, is focused on developing water and food technologies and has raised over $10 million in seed funding.
The co-founder and CEO of Genesis Systems, Shannon Stuckenberg, expressed their excitement about supporting deployed U.S. troops and others in challenging areas where reliable fresh water is essential. The phase two contract with the U.S. Air Force marks a significant milestone for the startup, which has been building a portfolio of technologies related to water management and generation.
In addition to the WaterCube 100, which is a consumer-grade water generator, Genesis Systems is working on a military-ready version of the technology called WC-100M. The company’s focus on creating solutions for water scarcity in disaster environments aligns with the mission of the U.S. Air Force’s innovation arm AFWERX.
Genesis Systems, founded by Shannon and David Stuckenberg in 2017, employs less than 25 people and operates from a 25,000-square-foot space in South Tampa. The startup, which originated in Kansas City, has attracted investments from notable figures, including former CIA director Robert James Woolsey and former NFL player Chad Hennings.
David Stuckenberg, the co-founder, COO, and president of Genesis Systems, brings extensive experience from his time with the U.S. Air Force and the Pentagon. Despite launching a presidential campaign in 2023, Stuckenberg remains dedicated to advancing the company’s technology and mission of providing access to clean water in challenging environments.