The 2025 Stroud Award for Freshwater Excellence was presented to Paul O’Callaghan at The Water’s Edge gala on September 25, 2025.
Visionary Leader in Water Innovation and Sustainability
Paul O’Callaghan is the founder and CEO of BlueTech Research, the leading global intelligence firm dedicated to water technology and innovation. With over 25 years of experience in the sector, he is internationally recognized as an expert in water technologies and markets, helping shape the future of water globally.
O’Callaghan began his career in biochemistry, collaborating with pioneering environmentalists to study the effects of deforestation on water quality. He received a Ph.D. in water innovation from Wageningen University. Later, while working as an engineering consultant, he observed the significant delays in bringing promising water technologies to market. This insight led him to establish BlueTech Research in 2011 to accelerate innovation and help bridge the gap between technology development and real-world implementation.
Throughout his career, O’Callaghan has advised Fortune 500 companies including L’Oréal, Microsoft, and PepsiCo, and he has worked with leading utilities such as Metro Vancouver, Singapore PUB, and Severn Trent Water, supporting the development of strategic business and asset management plans. He is widely known for his deep expertise in market analysis, technology evaluation, and growth opportunity identification.
O’Callaghan is a frequent lecturer and thought leader, with recent speaking engagements at Davos 2020, Web Summit, and Harvard and Cambridge universities. He recently published a book, “The Dynamics of Water Innovation.”
Raising Awareness Through Film
In addition to his research and advisory work, O’Callaghan is a passionate communicator and filmmaker. He co-produced two acclaimed documentaries — Brave Blue World and Our Blue World — designed to raise awareness of the global water crisis and showcase existing solutions. Now streaming on Netflix, Brave Blue World features A-list celebrities, is supported by industry partners, has inspired audiences around the world, and has brought renewed attention to the importance of freshwater innovation.
Through his scientific insight, entrepreneurial leadership, and public outreach, O’Callaghan has made a profound and lasting impact on global water innovation.
