About
Leveraging biotech to enable sick lakes and waterways to heal.
EQO is a biotechnology company, yet not operating in the field of human health. Rather, we are dedicated to leveraging biotech to address challenges in aquatic ecosystems, which refers to lakes, rivers, wetlands, estuaries, and other surface water assets.
EQO offers 2 next-gen field tools, the Osprey & the Calypso, which leverage our proprietary IP to capture the eRNA of animal or microbial populations in question. Our lab support includes eRNA and eDNA sample processing and metagenomic/bioinformatic tools to support our clients: 1) prevent invasive species infestations; 2) track native and endangered species; and 3) identify toxic organisms.
EQO’s public and private sector clients own or manage lakes, rivers, reservoirs, wetlands, or other watershed ‘assets’ that are facing increasing stress due to the effects of a warmer atmosphere or pollution/run-off. Just like a human dealing with illness, the path to aquatic ecosystem health, safety, and biodiversity begins with diagnostics.
"Our clients ask us “What’s living in our water, and what are the animals and/or microbiology populations doing?” This is clearly an environmental protection question, but also public health & safety, and climate adaptation question. Plus, for companies whose operations rely on a lake, estuary, or reservoir, this question is also addresses business disruption risks.
~ John Higley, Founder and CEO
Reach out to EQO for a free assessment here.
Team
John Higley, MSc, CEO
19 years innovation in biotech, previous startup excited by IPO.
Brad Van, MBA, CFO
15 years experience in financial leadership at start-ups and in government.
Erika Schwarz, PhD,
Co-Founder
Molecular ecology expert. Developed probes used as standard by NOAA for toxic algae detection.
Stefan Schuster, MSc, Co-Founder
20+ Years experience marketing in the water and environmental sector.
Tami Fratis, MBA
COO
Veteran PE investor and senior executive with leadership experience at start-ups through buy-outs.
Marité Ball, MIM
VP Business Development
15+ years of business leadership and management globally.
John Robinson
Board Member & Strategic Partnerships