Success Stories
Catching up with Genesis Systems
Published: 11/18/2024
By Anna Volkwine, Office of Army Prize Competitions and Army SBIR|STTR Programs
Genesis Systems – a finalist in xTechSearch 5 in 2021 and winner of xTechSBIR Clean Tech in 2022 – is continuing its quest to solve the critical global challenge of water scarcity. In August 2024, following completion of an Army Small Business Innovation Research Phase II contract award of $1.9 million with the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Command Army Research Laboratory, the small business deployed its groundbreaking WaterCube® technology to the Army.
The technology produces fresh, drinkable water by extracting moisture from the air, and the unit delivered to the Army can produce the highest water output the government has ever purchased, producing over 2,000 gallons of fresh water per day. For Soldiers who operate in austere environments with limited access to fresh water, the WaterCube® could be a life-saving solution.
View the full Genesis Systems spotlight here.
About the Army SBIR|STTR Programs
The Army SBIR Program continually releases funding opportunities, including Phase I funding for commercially viable, feasible and technically sound solutions. Mature technologies meeting Phase I requirements can advance to Phase II and Direct to Phase II contracts. Throughout the process, technical, acquisition and operational Army experts guide businesses to align their innovations with the Army’s critical needs.
The Army STTR Program, similar to SBIR, integrates small businesses into the Army space by partnering them with a university, federally funded research and development center, or a qualified non-profit research institution.
About the Army xTech Program
Established in 2018, the Army xTech Prize Competition Program offers direct exposure to Army laboratories, program executive offices and program managers. Participants receive detailed feedback from Army Department of Defense stakeholders, along with access to training, mentorship and networking opportunities.
This guidance helps businesses align their solutions with Army needs. The xTech Program hosts several competitions annually, including open-topic competitions such as xTechSearch and technology-specific competitions targeting critical Army needs.