AquaSteady Business & Data Analyst Intern: Market Intelligence & Customer Discovery (71117)
AquaSteady is seeking a Part-Time Business & Data Analyst (20 hours per week for 9 months) to support early commercialization through market intelligence, customer discovery, and investor-readiness activities. This position is ideal for candidates with strong analytical skills interested in sustainability, materials innovation, or early-stage venture development.
Background
AquaSteady is a pioneering research initiative backed by the U.S. National Science Foundation Convergence Accelerator, Track J: Food & Nutrition Security. AquaSteady introduces a revolutionary water-absorbent hydrogel derived from seaweed, a nature-based material that enhances soil fertility, improves water retention, and reduces irrigation needs without synthetic polymers. Developed through a cross-disciplinary collaboration across multiple institutions, AquaSteady operates at the intersection of sustainable agriculture, bio-based materials, and climate-resilient innovation.
National Food Security and Innovation Hub
The National Food Security & Innovation (NAFSI) Hub advances food security by unifying the nation's most impactful food systems data and solutions into one powerful, accessible hub. Our mission is to accelerate innovation, foster cross-sector collaboration, and empower researchers, industry, policymakers, and communities with cutting-edge data, tools, and insights to create resilient and sustainable food systems. NAFSI is the central data hub serving Track J: Food & Nutrition Security Phase 2 projects of the NSF Convergence Accelerator. We aggregate and steward diverse, high-impact datasets — including real-time sensor outputs, AI/ML tools, digital twins, and geospatial dashboards with varied levels of security and privacy to serve industry needs — produced by seven groundbreaking, cross-disciplinary teams. By standardizing and centralizing these assets, NAFSI enables seamless access to data-driven solutions that accelerate discovery and impact across the food security landscape., NAFSI Hub Liaison
Candidates will stand out with experience or interest in:
https://www.aquasteady.com/
https://oneworldnetwork.io/aquasteady-sea-helping-land/
https://healthsciences.missouri.edu/center-for-convergence-science-and-innovation/
Background
AquaSteady is a pioneering research initiative backed by the U.S. National Science Foundation Convergence Accelerator, Track J: Food & Nutrition Security. AquaSteady introduces a revolutionary water-absorbent hydrogel derived from seaweed, a nature-based material that enhances soil fertility, improves water retention, and reduces irrigation needs without synthetic polymers. Developed through a cross-disciplinary collaboration across multiple institutions, AquaSteady operates at the intersection of sustainable agriculture, bio-based materials, and climate-resilient innovation.
National Food Security and Innovation Hub
The National Food Security & Innovation (NAFSI) Hub advances food security by unifying the nation's most impactful food systems data and solutions into one powerful, accessible hub. Our mission is to accelerate innovation, foster cross-sector collaboration, and empower researchers, industry, policymakers, and communities with cutting-edge data, tools, and insights to create resilient and sustainable food systems. NAFSI is the central data hub serving Track J: Food & Nutrition Security Phase 2 projects of the NSF Convergence Accelerator. We aggregate and steward diverse, high-impact datasets — including real-time sensor outputs, AI/ML tools, digital twins, and geospatial dashboards with varied levels of security and privacy to serve industry needs — produced by seven groundbreaking, cross-disciplinary teams. By standardizing and centralizing these assets, NAFSI enables seamless access to data-driven solutions that accelerate discovery and impact across the food security landscape., NAFSI Hub Liaison
- Serve as AquaSteady's liaison to the NAFSI Hub, coordinating data standards, managing platform integration, and supporting planning for the Hub's industry roundtable event.
- Conduct structured customer discovery across agriculture and adjacent industries (e.g., construction materials, horticulture, landscaping, soil remediation, water-management technologies, sustainable packaging).
- Synthesize interviews and identify adoption drivers, pain points, and product requirements.
- Build market intelligence frameworks to identify and validate AquaSteady's beachhead markets.
- Develop market sizing models and growth projections for agricultural and non-agricultural applications.
- Conduct competitive landscape mapping across hydrogels, soil additives, climate-smart farming tools, and bio-based polymer alternatives.
- Support the creation of investor materials, including pitch deck refinement, data room structure, and articulation of AquaSteady's investment story.
- Contribute to early go-to-market strategy assumptions and modeling.
- Bachelor's degree (completed or in progress) in Business, Sustainability, Environmental Science, Economics, Agriculture, Data Analytics, or related fields, OR MBA / graduate-level student with strong capabilities in strategy, market analysis, or data-driven research.
- Strong quantitative and analytical skills, including modeling and interpreting data.
- Ability to conduct structured research and synthesize insights into actionable recommendations.
- Clear communication and presentation skills.
- Interest in climate tech, regenerative agriculture, biomaterials, or sustainability-driven innovation.
- Entrepreneurial mindset with interest in building and leading ventures from the ground up.
Candidates will stand out with experience or interest in:
- Regenerative agriculture or soil-health solutions.
- Bio-based materials, aquaculture, or seaweed-derived technologies.
- Competitive intelligence, customer discovery, or venture creation.
- Hydrogel or water-management systems.
- Agtech or food systems innovation experience.
- Please Note: We are currently unable to support new H-1B visas for candidates residing outside of the United States.
- For consideration, please submit a cover letter and resume. If you are moved forward in the interview process professional references will be requested.
https://www.aquasteady.com/
https://oneworldnetwork.io/aquasteady-sea-helping-land/
https://healthsciences.missouri.edu/center-for-convergence-science-and-innovation/