Calgary-based FREDsense, a pioneer in rapid water testing technology, has closed a USD $7 million Series A funding round led by HG Ventures, with participation from Emerald Technology Ventures.
The company has launched the first commercially available field-based detector for PFAS—“forever chemicals”—and is seeing early adoption across industries including environmental consulting, water and wastewater treatment, energy, and industrial operations. By replacing lengthy lab turnaround times with same-day onsite results, FREDsense helps teams pinpoint contamination hotspots, verify cleanups, and optimize treatment faster and at lower cost.
“Our mission is simple: make PFAS testing fast, accessible, and actionable,” said David Lloyd, CEO of FREDsense. “With support from HG Ventures and Emerald, we’ll expand production, deepen customer support, and continue improving our product so more sites can get answers on the spot.”
Investors see FREDsense as addressing a global challenge with immediate practical value. “Communities and companies need cleaner water, faster answers, and fewer delays,” said Ginger Rothrock, Senior Director at HG Ventures. “FREDsense puts lab-level insight into the hands of field teams, which is exactly what this moment requires.”
“FREDsense is bringing much-needed speed and practicality to PFAS testing,” added Clayton MacDougald, Investment Director at Emerald and newly appointed FREDsense Board Member. “When you can get reliable results the same day, you make better decisions, finish jobs faster, and reduce costs.”
PFAS contamination is a multi-billion-dollar global problem at the intersection of environmental urgency, human health, and regulatory pressure. With its Calgary roots, growing customer adoption, and scalable business model, FREDsense is positioning itself as a leader in field-based water testing solutions—strengthening Calgary’s reputation as a hub for cleantech innovation.
Leave a Reply