University of Notre Dame

EMNet, (acquired in 2018 by Xylem Inc.) is a water technology company that enables municipalities to manage the urban water cycle and monitor wastewater and stormwater systems. EMNet recognized that existing sewer systems in many cities were combined, mixing runoff, wastewater, and industrial waste. When these sewer systems reach capacity, many bypass water treatment plants and dump untreated wastewater directly into local waterways and watersheds. By installing a system of sensors and actuators that communicate with one another, EMNet deploys a network of sensors that can monitor the flow of stormwater and wastewater and, when necessary, divert it to areas of excess capacity within a controlled system to reduce wastewater overflows or prevent them entirely

EMNet recently entered into an agreement with the City of South Bend that is estimated to save the municipality nearly $437 million in wastewater and environmental cleanup costs by 2038. In Kansas City, where EMNet deployed the world’s largest smart sewer system network, the system is estimated to save the city around $1 billion in costs. EMNet’s smart water management technology creates jobs, supports sustainable urban development, and attracts investments in cleaner, more resilient communities.

The University of Notre Dame serves as a powerful economic engine for the South Bend-Elkhart region, generating a substantial $3.3 billion in annual economic impact and supporting 21,000 jobs. This contribution is driven by various factors, including the university’s extensive research activities, which received $216 million in investments in fiscal year 2023 – with 56% of this funding coming from federal resources. Additionally, the IDEA Center at Notre Dame supports all commercialization and entrepreneurial activities at the university and across the surrounding region. Since 2017, the center’s regional startups have collectively raised more than $70 million in investments and a reported $35 million in sales. In FY2024, Notre Dame made 66 invention disclosures, filed 14 new patents, and executed seven new licensing agreements. Industry Labs is Notre Dame’s platform for collaboration with regional industry. Since 2019, Industry Labs has collaborated with 81 companies on 247 projects, which are projected to have unlocked $120 million in new revenue, $15 million in new investments, 6,000 people to be trained, and 69 new products. In recent years, more than 25 Notre Dame-affiliated companies in the region have won Small Business Innovation Research awards from several federal agencies – including the Department of Defense, National Science Foundation, and the National Institutes of Health, totaling over $9 million.