Assisted by ASBTDC Lead Center at UA Little Rock | ASBTDC at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Consultant Rebecca Todd
GSS Group Develops Vertical Hydroponic System
GSS Group LLC, Danielle Dozier-Pittenger
Based in Bella Vista, the company’s vertical Cascading Water Disbursement Tower design makes use of greenhouse “dead space” to grow crops alongside horizontal hydroponic systems.
Existing hydroponic producers can benefit from the market-ready apparatus by using it to maximize their greenhouse capacity.
“The goal is to prove that using the CWDT will increase production capacity within existing greenhouse dead-space,” said Dozier-Pittenger.
A$100,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture Small Business Innovation Research grant is supporting the company’s work, along with a $50,000 Technology Development Program award from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission to develop enhanced prototypes.
Before applying for funding, Dozier-Pittenger engaged the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center for assistance. Innovation Consultant Rebecca Todd helped her prepare applications.
“She never delayed in responding to my many questions and review submissions. She helped me properly register for everything and did not let me forget one syllable,” said Dozier.
“The ASBTDC was a big help in securing this award,” she said. “They have held my hand through writing SBIR and state-level applications and have never left me alone to face challenges with this R&D process. This organization gave me the confidence that my dream technology could actually become a reality!”
GSS stands for “Grow-Supply-Sustain,” reflecting the company’s emphasis on sustainability in every aspect of business and its social responsibility to promote reduce-and-re-use policies.
Dozier-Pittenger began exploring her passion for sustainable food production while attending the University of Arkansas, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in horticulture sciences in 2015.
“During my college years, I made friends from Africa, India, and other Eastern countries. I began to see a need for sustainable food production in these population-dense areas that are going through major urbanization revolutions,” said Dozier. “God then came to me and instilled purpose. I must do something, even small, to do my part.”