ReSpark Innovations Awarded Two PHMSA Pipeline Safety R&D Agreements

FARGO, N.D. — ReSpark Innovations LLC has been awarded two Other Transaction Agreements by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) under Research Announcement 693JK325RA001. The agreements are effective August 27, 2026, with a period of performance of September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2028.

Combined estimated project value is $3.2 million, including $1.6 million in federal funding and $1.6 million in team in-kind share.

The awards are:

693JK32610002POTA, “Chemi-Sense Coupon and Probe for Inspecting and Monitoring Corrosion State and Chemical Status in Piping, Tanks, and Equipment at Facilities and Stations.” Estimated $1.2 million ($600,000 federal). Project team includes ReSpark Innovations, and is supported by GUL Americas, and Plains All American.

693JK32610006POTA, “Pigging the Unpiggable: Customized Smart Sphere and Pigging to Detect Effectiveness of Corrosion Inhibitors for Pipelines Difficult to Inspect.” Estimated $2.0 million ($1,000,000 federal). Project team includes ReSpark Innovations, and is supported by SUN Pipeline Solutions, Arizona State University, and Plains All American.

Both projects sit in PHMSA’s anomaly-detection research area. The first develops coupon- and probe-mounted chemical sensors for corrosion state and chemistry in piping, tanks, and station equipment. The second develops custom spheres and pigs to measure corrosion-inhibitor effectiveness on pipelines that are unpiggable or difficult to inspect.

“These awards let us take sensor film work that started under a PHMSA CAAP project and continued with ReSpark Innovations in our lab and put it onto the platforms operators already use, coupons, probes, spheres, and pigs,” said Rick Sugden, founder and CEO of ReSpark Innovations. “The goal is better information on internal corrosion activity and inhibitor performance in places that are hard to inspect or monitor today. Ultimately, these will be interchangeable for evaluation of chemical effectiveness and internal corrosion rate changes.”

ReSpark Innovations LLC is a Fargo, N.D. research and development company working on asset-integrity technology for energy infrastructure. It is based at the NDSU Research and Technology Park.

Media contact:
Rick Sugden
Founder and CEO
rick.sugden@resparkinnovations.com
www.resparkinnovations.com

This work was funded in part, under the Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the official policies, either expressed or implied, of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, the Department of Transportation, or the U.S. Government.

Update, October 2026: This release originally named ReSpark Innovations as the program participant. The company selected for gBETA Grand Forks was Chemi-Sense Systems Corporation, which was discovered and de-risked at ReSpark Innovations and spun out of ReSpark in May 2026.

Fargo, North Dakota, March 28, 2026. Chemi-Sense Systems Corporation, a field chemical test kit company that was discovered and de-risked at ReSpark Innovations LLC, today announced its acceptance into the gener8tor gBETA Grand Forks accelerator program, a startup program designed to accelerate early-stage company growth and investor readiness.

Chemi-Sense Systems was selected as one of a limited number of startups to participate in the gBETA Grand Forks cohort, which admits up to five companies per program from a competitive applicant pool, resulting in less than 3% of applicants accepted. The seven-week, no-cost accelerator provides intensive mentorship, business development support, and access to a national network of investors, corporate partners, and experienced entrepreneurs.

“We are honored to be selected for gBETA Grand Forks and to join the gener8tor network,” said Rick Sugden, CEO of Chemi-Sense Systems. “This program represents a powerful opportunity to accelerate customer traction and pilot conversion, strengthen our go-to-market strategy and positioning, while improving investor readiness and scale planning.”

Chemi-Sense came out of ReSpark Innovations, which was founded to bridge the gap between research and real-world application and focuses on identifying, developing, and commercializing emerging technologies in the oil, gas, and water infrastructure sectors. The company’s mission is to ensure promising innovations do not stall due to lack of industry access, but instead are transformed into practical, field-ready solutions that improve operational efficiency and infrastructure reliability.

ReSpark’s platform connects researchers, operators, and industry stakeholders to bring advanced technologies out of the lab and into active deployment. Its first technology, Chemi-Sense, is a set of field sensors that screen corrosion-related water chemistry and inhibitor residuals, enabling faster and more cost-effective decision-making in the field.

Participation in gBETA will provide Chemi-Sense Systems with individualized coaching and mentorship from gener8tor’s nationally ranked accelerator team, along with structured programming such as “Lunch & Learns,” mentor sessions, and investor pitch opportunities. The program also offers access to more than $1 million in perks and deals from major technology providers, as well as ongoing post-program support.

The gBETA program is part of gener8tor’s broader effort to support high-growth startups and strengthen regional innovation ecosystems. With operations in dozens of communities and a track record of helping startups secure billions in follow-on funding, gener8tor provides founders with the tools, connections, and resources needed to scale their businesses.

“Being part of gBETA aligns perfectly with our vision of accelerating innovation in asset integrity,” said Ryan Sikes, Chief Commercial Officer of Chemi-Sense Systems. “We are building a repeatable commercialization engine that transforms overlooked or early-stage research into scalable technologies that operators can rely on. The beginning of demonstrating our unique approach is the launching of the Chemi-Sense System. This program will help us move faster and further in achieving that goal.”

Chemi-Sense Systems joins a growing network of startups supported by gener8tor programs across North Dakota, including initiatives aimed at fostering entrepreneurship, creating jobs, and driving economic growth in the region.

The gBETA Grand Forks program will culminate in a public pitch event, where participating companies present their progress to investors, community leaders, and industry stakeholders.

About Chemi-Sense Systems

Chemi-Sense Systems Corporation makes field chemical test kits for oil and gas asset integrity. It was discovered and de-risked at ReSpark Innovations LLC and spun out of ReSpark in May 2026 under the same ownership and management team.

About ReSpark Innovations

ReSpark Innovations LLC is an asset integrity technology company based in Fargo, North Dakota. The company specializes in advancing and commercializing emerging technologies for the energy asset integrity sector, with a focus on corrosion monitoring, pipeline integrity, and infrastructure reliability. By bridging the gap between research and real-world application, ReSpark Innovations helps bring high-impact solutions to market.

About gener8tor gBETA

gBETA is a free, seven-week accelerator program operated by gener8tor that supports early-stage startups through mentorship, coaching, and investor connections. The program is designed to help companies achieve rapid growth and prepare for fundraising or entry into investment accelerators.

For immediate release March 28, 2026

Houston, Texas, February 28, 2026 — ReSpark Innovations, LLC, a pioneering company bridging the gap between emerging research and real-world application in asset integrity technology for the energy sector, today announced the appointment of Ryan Sikes as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO).

Ryan Sikes

In this newly created role, Ryan will lead ReSpark’s commercial strategy, business development, sales, partnerships, and market expansion efforts. He will focus on accelerating the adoption of ReSpark’s innovative solutions—such as the recently launched Chemi-Sense amine residual sensor field kit—across oil, gas, and water infrastructure operators seeking precise, field-deployable tools to enhance pipeline integrity, optimize corrosion inhibition, and improve operational efficiency.

“Ryan Sikes brings a proven track record in pipeline integrity, business development, and driving commercial growth in the energy industry,” said Rick Sugden, Founder and CEO of ReSpark Innovations. “His deep understanding of operator challenges, combined with his ability to translate technical innovation into customer value, makes him the ideal leader to scale our mission of reigniting overlooked and underutilized technologies for the sector. We are thrilled to welcome him to the team as we enter this exciting growth phase.”

Ryan joins ReSpark Innovations at a pivotal time following the introduction of the Chemi-Sense Residual Sensor, a field-deployable kit for amine residual testing that helps operators base corrosion inhibitor dosing on field measurements. His appointment underscores ReSpark’s commitment to commercializing high-impact technologies that address real-world asset integrity needs in challenging field environments.

“I am excited to join ReSpark Innovations at such a dynamic moment,” said Ryan Sikes. “The company’s initial focus on rapid, reliable chemical sensing and bridging the research-to-reality divide resonates deeply with me. I look forward to working with Rick Sugden, Dr. Ying Huang, and the team to bring these technologies to more operators, helping them protect assets, reduce risks, and drive efficiency across the energy infrastructure landscape.”

Ryan Sikes brings extensive experience in business development and asset integrity solutions within the oil and gas sector. He will be based in Houston, TX, reporting directly to the CEO.

About ReSpark Innovations, LLC: Founded in 2025 and headquartered in Fargo, ND, ReSpark Innovations LLC specializes in identifying, developing, and commercializing emerging technologies to improve asset integrity and operational performance in the oil, gas, and water sectors. By combining industrial expertise, advanced research, and practical field engineering, ReSpark Innovations bridges the divide between research and implementation, delivering solutions like Chemi-Sense, field sensors that screen corrosion-related water chemistry and inhibitor residuals. Technologies like this empower operators to move from guesswork to precision. visit www.resparkinnovations.com.

For immediate release February 28, 2026