In this episode, GODOT Founder & CEO Andy Weinstein sits down with Shirley Zhong, co-founder and COO of Xatoms, a clean-tech startup using AI and quantum chemistry to discover new materials that purify water. Shirley shares her personal journey—from growing up near polluted rivers in China to co-founding one of the most awarded water innovation companies of the year.
Shirley Zhong is a co-founder, and COO of Xatoms, which uses patented AI and quantum chemistry technology based on 7 years of R&D to discover new materials that can purify water from bacteria, viruses, and pesticides. The company has created 8 patented materials, which is applied as a coating and integrated into filters for industrial and community-scale water treatment. Xatoms is currently running three pilot projects in Kenya, South Africa and the United States. The company's other co-founders include CEO Diana Virgovicova, and CTO Kerem Topal Ismail.
Shirley comes from a software engineering background and studied over 150+ business cases at the Richard Ivey Business School. Her career spans diverse roles in 6 early-stage startups, including positions as an AI developer, digital marketer, and business analyst, showcasing her versatility. Her global work experience covers Canada, China, Japan, and France. At Western University, Shirley is notable for launching the qualifying round of the Hult Prize competition at Ivey Business School, a prestigious global social entrepreneurship competition that serves as a pathway to a million-dollar prize.
