Abhith Kasala and Kallum Wang holding up a check for $25,000 and waving in front of the Hevener Gator Globe statue

MoringaPure wins 2026 Big Idea Competition

June 2, 2026 By Sofia Fernandez

Reading time: 4 minutes

MoringaPure HydroSolutions, founded and led by Abhith Kasala and later joined by Kallum Wang as Director of Marketing, won first place in the 2026 Big Idea Competition.

Abhith Kasala and Kallum Wang standing and holding certificate of achievement in front of a limitless world summit sign

MoringaPure HydroSolutions is a water filtration startup developing sustainable, scalable systems to remove microplastics and harmful contaminants from drinking water. The technology uses plant-derived coagulants and a multi-stage gravity-based filtration process to balance accessibility with low environmental costs.

“Our mission is to empower communities with purity in every drop,” Kasala said. “We aim to provide drinking water purification solutions that don’t require expensive infrastructure, chemical inputs, or reliance on systems that underserved communities often can’t access. The goal has always been a solution that is scalable to the needs of communities, from developing nations to rural America.”

The idea for the business came after a walk on a Florida beach after Hurricane Michael. As Kasala walked across the shoreline, something sharp stung his foot. Expecting to see a seashell, he found a jagged piece of plastic buried in the sand. This experience has driven his work and research for the past seven years to combat the global microplastic crisis.

abhith kasala holding medal in front of a ISEF screen

“What began as curiosity in my fifth-grade science fair project on “Global Microplastic Pollution” evolved into years of research throughout middle and high school, eventually leading me into research labs at the University of Florida,” Kasala said. “By high school, I had developed a water filtration system using plant-based biocoagulants to remove microplastics, heavy metals and other contaminants from drinking water.”

Kasala’s research has been presented at the International Science and Engineering Fair, the United Nations General Assembly Science Summit and in the Florida Water Resource Journal. This research led him to create a science-based solution for the market — and MoringaPure HydroSolutions was born.

MoringaPure Hydrosolutions currently offers two product lines: MEGAFLOW, a high-capacity system for community-scale use, and MicroPure, a portable on-the-go filtration solution for individuals.

Abhith Kasala in a science lab with glasses, gloves and a lab coat holding a pipette and beaker

“Winning the Big Idea Competition is an incredible honor because it represents more than recognition for a business idea,” Kasala said. “For us, it validates years of research, persistence and belief that this technology can create a real-world impact. This experience also reinforced the value of the University of Florida’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Through the competition, we gained mentorship, feedback and connections that helped strengthen both our business model and long-term vision for MoringaPure.”

With the $25,000 prize, Kasala and Wang intend to use the funds to secure provisional patents, optimize product performance across different water chemistries and enhance their early-stage manufacturing work.

“The global microplastic crisis, which is rapidly polluting drinking water, especially in communities that lack reliable infrastructure and resources, are in need of economical and eco-friendly solutions,” Kasala said. “A problem statement that started as a science fair project in a lab has grown into a real-world solution, and we’re excited to continue building MoringaPure at the University of Florida and globally.”

Kasala would like to thank his mother, Sandhya, for her support throughout each stage of his business journey. Additionally, he would like to thank Kristin Joys and Melissa White for their mentorship and feedback throughout the competition.

The Big Idea Gator Business Plan Competition is a four-month competition hosted by the Warrington College of Business’ Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center. Throughout the competition, the center helps students create business models for the chance to win up to $25,000.

The following businesses were also recognized and awarded at the 2026 Big Idea Competition: