Bertzman Funds Zilper Trenchless

Zilper Trenchless is a company that started out of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 2018.

While leading the trenchless division of a pipeline infrastructure contractor, Roberto Zillante realized that there was a market need for versatile and cost-effective trenchless technology that could be used in multiple projects.

Since then, he partnered with Daniel, his brother who attended MIT, to develop such a solution. 

After a year of hard work and multiple iterations, they developed it, filed for a patent and started executing challenging projects that proved the value of Zilper technology. Thanks to the success of those projects, Zilper Trenchless was awarded as Best New Trenchless Equipment 2019 and Best Trenchless Innovator 2019 at the ICTIS international conference in Bogota, Colombia. 

A single Zilper machine can handle a wide range of pipe diameters (8"-48"), up to 500 feet of pipeline per drive, in almost any type of soil condition.

“The world needs to do much more to reduce the cost of the critical underground pipeline infrastructure that the world desperately needs. That’s why we are in business. Using our technology can generate up to 41% savings compared to competing technologies while helping to finish projects ahead of time. Our vision is to significantly reduce the cost and traffic disruption of water, sewer and stormwater projects, starting in LATAM,” commented Daniel Zillante.

“We are excited to participate in funding this revolutionary process that has the potential to extend piped water and sanitation to underserved communities in Bogotá and surrounding communities in Colombia,“ stated Neil Berman of Bertzman Social Ventures. 

“I also want thank Burnt Island Ventures for introducing us to Zilper and the accelerator, Imagine H2O, for their work in preparing the company for a successful future,” he said.