Virridy

Virridy, operating as a public benefit corporation since its rebranding from SweetSense Inc. in 2022, focuses on managing environmental resources through technology. Founded in 2012 by Dr. Evan Thomas, the company originated as a spin-out from Portland State University and is now headquartered in Boulder, Colorado. Dr. Thomas, who serves as CEO, has a background that merges aerospace engineering from his time at NASA with a focus on global health and environmental engineering. This multidisciplinary experience is central to Virridy's approach, combining satellite-linked IoT sensors with data analytics to address water security and resource management.

The company develops and deploys proprietary, low-cost sensors for remote monitoring of water, energy, and agricultural infrastructure. These satellite-connected devices are installed on assets like water pumps and boreholes to collect near-real-time data on performance and usage. This information is then analyzed to provide actionable insights for clients, which include government agencies, NGOs, and farmers. For instance, in Kenya and Ethiopia, the technology helps government agencies minimize borehole downtime, ensuring consistent water access for communities. In the Western U.S., Virridy assists farmers in managing groundwater pumping to conserve water and reduce energy costs, helping them comply with sustainability regulations.

Virridy's business model has two main pillars. The first involves the sale of its hardware and data interpretation services. The second, more distinct model, is centered on enabling environmental markets. The company uses the data gathered by its sensors as a digital monitoring, reporting, and verification (DMRV) tool to generate high-quality carbon credits. By verifying access to clean water, which reduces the need to burn fuel for water purification, or by enabling energy conservation, Virridy creates valuable environmental commodities. This approach allows the company to finance its operations and make its technology affordable for the communities it serves, partnering with organizations like USAID, the World Bank, and NASA.

Keywords: water management, environmental monitoring, IoT sensors, carbon credits, data analytics, groundwater monitoring, resource management, climate resilience, satellite technology, public health engineering, water security, agricultural technology, remote sensing, environmental markets, sustainable agriculture, energy conservation, demand response, water quality, climate finance, watershed restoration