Business Courier: Fast Company honors Venture Lab-backed startup
Clean Earth Rovers recognized for its autonomous device to clean coastal waterways
A University of Cincinnati Venture Lab-backed startup has been honored in Fast Company’s 2023 World Changing Ideas Awards, the Cincinnati Business Courier reported.
Clean Earth Rovers is developing autonomous rovers that clear debris, which CEO Michael Arens likened to “Roombas for coastal waterways.” The startup has deployed its rovers near San Francisco and in South Florida to clear plastic, hurricane debris, oil spills, dead fish, seaweed and more from coastal waterways.
Clean Earth Rovers earned an honorable mention in the water category of the Fast Company honors, which included nine projects designed to increase access to clean water, fight drought, protect oceans or otherwise help solve water-related issues.
The rovers are built in the Makerspace in UC's 1819 Innovation Hub, which also is home to the Venture Lab.
Featured image at to: Clean Earth Rovers' autonomous rover in the water. Photo/Clean Earth Rovers
Innovation Lives Here
The University of Cincinnati is leading public urban universities into a new era of innovation and impact. Our faculty, staff and students are saving lives, changing outcomes and bending the future in our city's direction. Next Lives Here.
Related Stories
Academic goal examples to inspire student success
College Prep
Explore smart academic goals examples, personal goals examples for students, and practical resources to help students create a personalized academic success plan.
The power of mentorship in sport administration
November 17, 2025
David Kelley, director of UC’s sport administration programs, wrote an op-ed for COACH & A.D., a national magazine for athletic administrators and coaches. He discusses how mentorship and internships are vital to developing future leaders in the field.
American Society of Nephrology hosts Kidney Week 2025
November 14, 2025
The American Society of Nephrology hosted its annual Kidney Week 2025 meeting recently in Houston. Prakash Gudsoorkar, MD, a University of Cincinnati College of Medicine associate professor of clinical in the Division of Nephrology in the Department of Internal Medicine, shared his perspectives with MedCentral on three studies presented during the meeting.