Cleveland Water Alliance (CWA) kicked off the new year at the center of the global technology stage. CWA's Executive Director and President, Bryan Stubbs, traveled to Las Vegas for CES 2026, the world’s most influential tech event, to represent the Great Lakes region, present on the evolving water landscape, and scout the next generation of promising technologies.

Thought Leadership on the Global Stage

Bryan was selected as a judge for the Environmental Technology track at CES. In this role, he helped review a diverse array of cutting-edge innovations, helping to evaluate the next wave of solutions poised to make a significant global impact. 

‍

CWA’s global presence was further highlighted through a series of key engagements with K-water (Korea Water Resources Corporation). Bryan participated in a featured panel alongside the Head of K-water and delivered a presentation at their booth discussing CWA’s work. These sessions reinforced our longstanding partnership and offered a valuable opportunity to connect and engage more deeply with their leadership. This collaboration supports our ongoing efforts to help Korean technology companies enter the U.S. market, utilizing our Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and testbeds to facilitate the growth of global innovation in our region.

Strengthening the Innovation Ecosystem

CES serves as a critical touchpoint for connecting with the partners and entrepreneurs who are driving the industry forward.

• Collaborations and Trials: Bryan held a series of meetings with current partners and entrepreneurs to discuss ongoing collaborations and potential real-world trials. By facilitating these connections, CWA continues to act as the bridge between cutting-edge R&D and practical application.
• Tech Scouting: Outside of scheduled sessions, Bryan spent time scouting the floor for promising emerging water tech solutions.

Investing in Water Innovation

The week also provided a strategic opportunity to engage with the venture capital community. Bryan met with a specialized network of investors to discuss the Freshwater Innovation Fund, seeking to expand funding avenues for high-potential water-tech startups. By connecting these companies with the necessary capital, CWA is helping ensure that the most promising solutions can move from the lab to the real world.

Celebrating Regional Success

It was great to see local talent at CES as well. Bryan had the chance to check in with the Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) team, whose presence at the world’s largest tech show underscores the caliber of research and ingenuity emerging from our local institutions. This expertise is further validated by CWRU’s role as the lead partner on a National Science Foundation (NSF) Regional Innovation Engines Development Award, which focuses on the discovery and commercialization of sustainable manufacturing technologies across Northeast Ohio.

The impact of our regional talent was on full display with Ohio-based innovator CLEANR, a company originally born out of CWRU. We were incredibly proud to visit the winners' circle and see CLEANR named a CES Innovation Awards® Honoree for Home Appliances!

Seeing a technology go from a university concept to being recognized on the global stage is a testament to the strength of the water-tech cluster we are building together.

Turning Innovation into Impact

Starting the year at the center of the global tech stage sets a powerful tone for what’s ahead. As we look toward the rest of the year, Cleveland Water Alliance remains focused on the critical work of bridging the gap between promising ideas and real-world implementation.

‍