A smart IoT water supply control platform that improves water quality by removing scale, rust, and slime from building pipelines while collecting various data is receiving strong market response.
The current water industry has remained at the level of automated metering using batteries. In contrast, GeoGrid’s smart IoT platform, powered by constant electricity, enables remote monitoring of water flow, leakage, and pipe quality — positioning it as a breakthrough innovation in the field.

GeoGrid CEO Kim Ki-hyun, who leads the platform’s development, explained:

“Beyond water purification and data collection, we are building big data and algorithms to analyze and optimize water consumption habits. The platform will evolve into a system that enables both suppliers and users to manage water most efficiently, ultimately enhancing the nation’s competitiveness in the water industry.”

We met with GeoGrid, a startup rapidly rising through its bold innovation and cutting-edge IoT technology for water quality control and remote data collection.

Q1. Cities are evolving rapidly with ICT convergence. What led you to focus on core technologies like Big Data and IoT, and how did GeoGrid grow as a startup in this field?

For 17 years, I had managed a stable business and sought to apply AI, IoT, and big data technologies. However, the COVID-19 pandemic hindered early progress.
Determined to turn crisis into opportunity, I studied the water industry and found that although it promotes the “Smart Water Grid” vision, innovation remained slow compared to other sectors.

By entering graduate school to deepen my understanding of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies, I was able to conceptualize an IoT- and data-driven business for the water sector.
At that time, when GeoGrid was founded in 2020, we had ideas but limited capital for R&D. To overcome this, we participated in numerous government programs and startup competitions — applying to over 100 and being selected for more than 40 projects, securing a total of 1.3 billion KRW in development funding over 18 months.

Most of the capital was invested into R&D, leading to our product launch on August 31, which received an immediate positive response. Our system eliminated battery dependency through constant power supply, solved network issues, and drew strong market attention due to rising public concern over water quality.

Collaboration with research institutions and companies specializing in IoT and data analytics has further amplified GeoGrid’s technological impact.

Q2. You have emphasized the need for innovation in architecture concerning environment, energy, and water management. What kind of systems do you think should be implemented?

In the construction industry, environmental and energy management innovation is progressing — especially in the apartment and collective housing sectors.
However, innovation in water management remains limited to remote data collection.

If we define manual meter reading as the first generation, automatic metering as the second, and leak detection as the third, GeoGrid is now introducing fourth-generation services integrating leak detection and water quality control.
Furthermore, we are advancing toward a fifth-generation service that combines big data, smart water grid analysis, and environmental context awareness.

We also aim to connect with platforms such as Google Home and Amazon Home Services, ultimately providing integrated solutions that address the complex needs of buildings.

Q3. GeoGrid has been focusing on data collection systems for disaster safety management in schools and military facilities. Could you elaborate on this solution?

Schools and military bases are public facilities that require specialized safety and disaster management.
Using our device’s attachment to building infrastructure, sensor-specific software, and always-online connectivity, we are testing environmental sensors linked to the platform — measuring tilt, vibration, and ground subsidence of structures.

Since the system is installed inside buildings, it ensures easy maintenance and high data correlation. Notably, about 70% of water pipe leaks occur near underground meters, mainly due to vibrations between ground and subsurface layers.

If GeoGrid’s data can reveal patterns linking vibration and leakage, it could play a crucial role in preventing sinkholes and other infrastructure disasters, saving substantial social costs.

Source: Korea Institute of Registered Architects — Architectural Newspaper