UNLV Spinout WAVR Technologies Continues Momentum with Strategic Investments
Innovative approach to atmospheric water harvesting supported by Desert Forge Ventures and Nevada’s State-Sponsored Venture Capital Program, Battle Born Venture.
LAS VEGAS – August 18, 2025 – WAVR Technologies, a UNLV spinout pioneering breakthrough atmospheric water harvesting solutions, announced today new investments in its $4 million Seed Round from Desert Forge Ventures and Nevada’s State-Sponsored Venture Capital Program, Battle Born Venture, which is overseen by the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) and operates under the auspices of federal State Small Business Credit Initiative.
This funding marks a major milestone in WAVR’s mission to enable large-scale, sustainable water production in arid and water-stressed regions.
Desert Forge Ventures and Battle Born Venture join as strategic early supporters of WAVR’s growth catalyzing additional investor commitments expected to be announced in the coming weeks. Battle Born Venture particularly supports deep-tech spinouts from Nevada’s research universities and can participate in follow-up rounds through match or partial-match of the respective lead investor commitment thereby supporting expansion and growth of technology-based startups in the state.
WAVR was founded out of research conducted at the UNLV College of Engineering, where Associate Professor Jeremy Cho and his team took a radically new approach to atmospheric water harvesting, one tailored to the extreme dryness of the Nevada desert. The result was a system capable of producing water at high volume and efficiency, even at relative humidity levels as low as 10%.
“Our technology fundamentally shifts what’s possible when it comes to sourcing water sustainably and increasing resilience for its users,” said Rich Sloan, CEO and co-founder of WAVR Technologies, the commercial startup built around the UNLV tech. “With this investment, we’re accelerating commercial pilot deployments to meet demand across commercial, industrial, agricultural, and municipal markets.”
WAVR’s systems can integrate with manufacturing plants and data centers whose operations produce excess heat, which further enhances efficiency and drives down cost of water produced. In many of these cases, the price of WAVR water approaches municipal water rates, creating an economically viable and environmentally sustainable alternative.
Since launching in May 2024, WAVR has booked over $1 million in revenue and initiated multiple commercial pilot projects in the U.S., positioning the company as a frontrunner in the emerging atmospheric water harvesting sector.
“WAVR is solving one of the most urgent challenges facing the American West: reliable access to water,” said Len Jessup, Managing Partner of Desert Forge Ventures. “Their technology is uniquely capable of operating in the most water-stressed environments, and WAVR is exactly the type of team we had in mind when we launched the fund.”
WAVR will use the seed funding to expand pilot deployments, develop its team, and optimize performance of its proprietary AWH systems.
“WAVR has been able to benefit from a variety of Nevada mechanisms supported by GOED such as the Knowledge Fund, WaterStart, and Battle Born Venture,” said Karsten Heise, senior director of strategic programs and innovation at Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED). “WAVR exemplifies how support elements interact effectively. This is how innovation-based economic development works.”
The company also benefits from collaboration with Clark County Economic Development and DRI, and significant funding from the regional NSF Futures Engine of the Southwest, WaterStart, and UNLV’s Office of Economic Development.
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About WAVR Technologies
Based in Las Vegas, WAVR Technologies, Inc. is focused on developing devices for water sustainability and resiliency. The company is working closely with industry to provide atmospherically-sourced water to supplement their conventional water demands. Learn more at: www.wavrtechnologies.com.
About Desert Forge Ventures
A Las Vegas-based venture capital firm dedicated to fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic diversification in Nevada. Led by former UNLV President Len Jessup and a team of seasoned entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts, Desert Forge Ventures provides not just capital, but also strategic guidance to help businesses scale and succeed. Focusing on UNLV and Las Vegas-based high-growth industries, powered by Deep Tech, such as AI, Machine Learning, Quantum Computing, Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Robotics and Automation, and Big Data and Analytics, Desert Forge Ventures invests in companies that drive innovation and long-term economic resilience. By providing strategic investments and mentorship to early-stage startups, the firm aims to further position Las Vegas as a leading hub for technology, business, and research-driven advancements. Learn more at: www.desertforgeventures.com.
About the Governor’s Office of Economic Development
Created during the 2011 session of the Nevada Legislature, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development is the result of a collaborative effort between the Nevada Legislature and the Governor’s Office to restructure economic development in the state. GOED’s role is to promote a robust, diversified and prosperous economy in Nevada, to stimulate business expansion and retention, encourage entrepreneurial enterprises, attract new businesses and facilitate community development. Learn more at: www.goed.nv.gov.