RLCore Technologies
Location: Edmonton, Alberta VC Investor: Flying Fish Ventures Company URL: rlcore.ai
Strategic Importance: Industrial water treatment, industrial AI, utilities, real-time optimization
RLCore is developing machine learning software for smarter automation in industrial water and wastewater facilities. Their solution is providing public utilities and industrial users with tools to improve operational efficiencies, provide stability in outputs, reduce operating expenses and improve operator experience.
25% Chemical Cost
at Edmonton’s Goldbar Treatment Plant
“Our software reduces chemical and energy costs, as well as improving reliability. This reduces the cost of providing utility services, as well as potentially improving the quality of services by making water quality more consistent.”
Reinforcement Learning, Continuous Improvement
RLCore’s tech is built on reinforcement learning (RL) – a machine learning process that finds ways to maximize efficiencies by optimizing processes.
CEO and co-founder Martha White notes their software is currently deployed in several water treatment facilities. In Edmonton’s wastewater treatment plant, RLCore is reducing odours and helping the utility to reduce chemical costs. In Drayton Valley, it’s being used to optimize water treatment ultrafiltration to cut down on chemical usage and conserve water.
“We’re now scaling to more facilities, and working towards a larger ambition to democratize AI for industrial operations, by making our software easy-to-use and configure for process experts,” White says.
A Strong Capital Pool
On the software side, a world-class team of researchers in reinforcement learning have collaborated with experienced product leads from Microsoft, Amazon and Rockwell to advance RLCore’s platform.
To fund this, they have secured Venture Capital through Flying Fish Ventures, with Alberta Enterprise Corporation’s support as an investor.
“Flying Fish supports us by meeting monthly, which allows us to get feedback on everything from strategic direction to establishing our ideal customer profile to introductions to day-to-day operational questions.
“As we were recruiting and hiring a president for our company, they provided support with the interview and reference checks from within their network,” White says.
RLCore’s CEO sees strong opportunities for growth within their home province.
“The municipalities we have worked with are extremely forward-thinking.”
