gener8tor Founder Series: Virginia Szepietowski from Nyad
In this installment of the gener8tor Founder Series, we’re spotlighting Virginia Szepietowski, Co-Founder & CEO of Nyad, a Birmingham-based startup using AI and computer vision to transform the way industrial facilities treat wastewater. A recent alum of the Bronze Valley Investment Accelerator powered by gener8tor, Nyad is already making waves with pilot traction, funding wins, and a bold mission to digitize an overlooked industry.
Reimagining Wastewater with AI
Most industrial wastewater treatment relies on biological processes, but operators can’t actually see the microorganisms doing the work. That’s where Nyad comes in.
“We’re building an AI co-pilot that puts visibility into the biology—helping operators control treatment quality in real time,” Virginia explains.
By combining digital microscopy with machine learning, Nyad allows facilities to optimize their treatment processes, reduce costs, cut chemical usage, and improve compliance. What once took hours or days to diagnose now takes minutes.
A Breakout Year
Founded in 2024, Nyad has already:
Launched two pilot programs, including one with a major oil refinery.
Secured $250K+ in early funding, including a $100K investment through the Bronze Valley Investment Accelerator powered by gener8tor.
Hired a full-time PhD machine learning lead.
Won Alabama Launchpad’s concept-stage prize.
Virginia and co-founder Chris Braithwaite—both second-time founders originally from the UK—chose Alabama not just for proximity to industry, but for its surprisingly strong innovation support.
“We came here for our customers—but stayed for the ecosystem,” she says, pointing to assets like Innovation Depot, UAB, and the state’s deep industrial roots.
Accelerator Impact
Participating in the Bronze Valley Investment Accelerator powered by gener8tor was a turning point.
“Everyone opened their little black books. Every intro was intentional—investors, customers, mentors. That kind of access is rare,” says Virginia.
She credits the accelerator’s tight-knit cohort, clear KPIs, and relentless focus as key to staying on track during the chaos of early-stage building.
“The team felt like an extension of ours. They helped us block out the noise and zero in on what mattered most.”
Founder-to-Founder Advice
Virginia’s advice to other founders?
“Do your due diligence. Make sure the accelerator team’s goals align with yours. Then go all in. If you commit fully, the results will be exponential.”
She also emphasizes the value of community: “Being surrounded by other founders going through the same ups and downs—that’s incredibly powerful.”
What’s Next?
Nyad is preparing to raise its next round in fall 2025 and is actively seeking intros to early-stage VCs who are excited about AI, deep tech, and industrial automation.
Ask: “If you know investors who care about AI and clean industry, we’d love to connect.”
