Gross-Wen Technologies founder and CEO Martin Gross is one of the winners of Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 Heartland Award, which honors visionary leaders of high-growth companies driving innovation, growth and prosperity. The Heartland program celebrates entrepreneurs from the North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri and Nebraska. Regional winners were selected by an independent panel of past winners, top CEOs and business leaders. Judges evaluated candidates on long-term
Gross-Wen Technologies
May 8, 2025
Gross-Wen CEO named regional finalist for entrepreneur award
Martin Gross of Gross-Wen Technologies, a Slater-based wastewater treatment technology company, was named a regional finalist of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 Heartland Award. Now in its 40th year, the Entrepreneur of the Year program celebrates the leaders who disrupt markets through the world’s most groundbreaking companies, revolutionizing industries and making an impact on communities. The Heartland program celebrates entrepreneurs from Minnesota, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota and
February 13, 2025
Gross-Wen Technologies hires VP of business development
Gross-Wen Technologies (GWT), a Slater-based wastewater treatment technology company, announced the hiring of Steve Wirtel as its new vice president of business development. Wirtel is a licensed engineer with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a master’s degree in environmental engineering from the University of Illinois. His experience includes working with other water technology companies, including U.S. Filter, during times of growth. His background will allow him to collaborate
July 16, 2020
Gross-Wen to partner on phosphorus removal project funded by DOE
Slater-based Gross-Wen Technologies Inc. has received a $240,000 grant from the Department of Energy to develop a next-generation process to remove phosphorus from wastewater. According to a news release, the company will partner on one of 82 projects supported by the grant from the DOE’s Technology Commercialization Fund. The project will be led by the DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory in partnership with Gross-Wen and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District
March 2, 2020
Gross-Wen Technologies cofounder named 2020 Neal Smith Entrepreneur of the Year
Gross-Wen Technologies Inc. cofounder and president Martin Gross is the winner of the 2020 Neal Smith Entrepreneur of the Year award, named by America’s SBDC Iowa. The award honors an Iowa entrepreneur who has been in business a minimum of three years and has been significantly assisted by the Iowa Small Business Development Center. Gross and cofounder Zhiyou Wen established Gross-Wen in 2014 to develop their algae-growing technology into a
April 12, 2019
Prometheus winners: Des Moines, Dwolla, Vermeer and more
Jim Masterson, CEO of LightEdge Solutions, speaks Thursday night at the 2019 Prometheus Awards. Masterson was awarded 2019 CEO of the Year. Photo/Technology Association of Iowa “If you cut me open, I bleed technology,” proclaimed Jim Masterson, CEO of LightEdge Solutions. Masterson, who was accepting a Prometheus Award for CEO of the Year, seemed to be speaking for everyone in the sold-out crowd on Thursday night. Almost 1,000 audience members
June 21, 2018
Gross-Wen Technologies receives $2M for algae wastewater treatment
Gross-Wen Technologies Inc., which commercializes an algal wastewater treatment developed at Iowa State University, accepted a $2 million investment from engineering firm Doerfer Corporation, GWT announced on Wednesday. The company expects to hire up to four more positions with the funds, including a vice president of operations, and sales and operations staff. GWT developed the Revolving Algal Biofilm Treatment System to remove nitrogen, phosphorus and other pollutants from municipal and
