The Accelerator is the leading development program for early-stage entrepreneurs around the world.
With an exclusive focus on water and a zero-equity model, we provide comprehensive support that reflects the sector’s unique opportunities and challenges. We leverage our deep sector expertise and expansive global ecosystem of investors, partners, and advisors, giving startups the tools and insight to grow and scale effectively.
Ainwater uses AI-based algorithms to optimize water and wastewater plant operations, ensuring compliance while increasing energy efficiency by 30%.
2023
Imagine H2O Accelerator
Bluemethane captures and permanently removes methane from water, as a new source of bioenergy and revenue for asset owners.
2023
Imagine H2O Accelerator
CivilGrid compiles utility, geotech, and other project planning data to create a comprehensive map that accelerates due diligence and design of water infrastructure projects.
2023
Imagine H2O Accelerator
iFlux provides visibility into groundwater dynamics through combining a network of IoT sensors, sampling technology and a real-time dashboard.
2023
Imagine H2O Accelerator
Kairospace Technologies provides a clean-tech water treatment solution using gasses and nanobubbles to optimize water quality that increases agricultural outputs.
2023
Imagine H2O Accelerator
LAIIER’s wireless smart tape leak detection solution notifies property managers and owners about leakages in real-time, reducing the impact of water damage and flooding events.
2023
Imagine H2O Accelerator
Nucleic Sensing Systems’ portable system autonomously and continuously monitors biological species of concern geospatially and in real-time.
2023
Imagine H2O Accelerator
OmniVis’ handheld technology detects waterborne and food borne pathogens in under 30 minutes.
2023
Imagine H2O Accelerator
Rainstick’s shower system captures, circulates and cleans the water in real-time, increasing water and energy efficiency up to 80%.
2023
Imagine H2O Accelerator
Sudoc is using its patented chemistry to eliminate wasted material, energy, and water in textile bleaching and other water treatment applications.
2023
Imagine H2O Accelerator
The Imagine H2O Accelerator opens essential doors for early-stage water startups. With thirteen years of experience and a deep network of industry experts, customers, and investors, we provide a proven path to market for emerging technologies.
The three IH2O programs serve distinct groups of entrepreneurs. The Accelerator is intended for early-stage water startups around the world. Please reach out if you have any questions about eligibility criteria.
Imagine H2O Accelerator 2020, Urban Water Challenge IV
Wastewater Treatment
Dairy farms are not generally known for their sustainability, but that could change with the help of Gross-Wen Technologies. With the 2021 Accelerator Top Deployment Award, GWT will deploy a pilot project at one of the nation’s largest dairy operations to sustainably and cost-effectively recover nutrients from the wastewater—and reduce the farm’s carbon footprint. At scale, the project will produce 270 tons of dried algae, avoid 5,000 metric tons of CO2, and increase farm revenue by ~$1M every year.
Over the course of their time in the Accelerator program, GWT presented their technology to key IH2O partners such as Xylem, SUEZ, and Kurita; they also engaged with 19+ mentors in our network. In addition, when the GWT team was looking for an independent board member, we introduced them to five industry experts to consider for the role. After an extensive process, GWT selected one of our referrals and is actively discussing potential collaborations with the others.
Throughout the year, GWT gained transformational insights and connections as they expanded their customer pipeline, explored project finance, planned for strategic partnerships, and identified new market opportunities.
The Imagine H2O network and programming have been incredibly valuable to GWT as we continue to grow and refine our business model. Although we have learned several industry-specific lessons the hard way over the past several years, we would be a full year further along if we had gone through this program when we launched in 2017.
Aaron Zell
Equity Group Investments
Adam Tank
Transcend H2O
Biju George
Ampcus Inc
Chris Morrison
MorrisonWater
Christopher Adams
RBC Capital Markets
Christine Boyle
Xylem
Debra Coy
XPV Water Partners
Dirk Brusis
SKion Water
Gary Kremen
Valley Water
Henrik Laursen
AMI Global
Ifetayo Venner
Arcadis
Jill Hudkins
Tetra Tech
John Grant
Lemnos Advisory
Josh Haacker
OGCI Climate Investments
Michael Sesko
Frontier Farmland
Mitchell Presser
Morrison & Foerster
Nicholas Dyner
Moleaer
Nicole Neeman Brady
Renewable Resources Group
Paul Gagliardo
Independent
Peter Williams
Pivot Projects
Pierre Cote
COTE Membrane Separation
Rainoo Raj Ganeindran
Kurita
Ralph Exton
Grundfos
Reinhard Huebner
SKion Water
Rina Zell
Independent
Sivan Zamir
Xylem
Snehal Desai
Evoqua Water Technologies
Steve Kloos
True North Venture Partners
Tom Ferguson
Burnt Island Ventures
Vinod Ramachandran
Apstech Environmental Limited
Our entrepreneurs are revolutionizing how water is used, reused, treated, and accessed.
Accelerator 2018, UWC 2021
Accelerator 2015
Accelerator 2012
Accelerator 2014
Our programs support entrepreneurs at different stages and geographic regions. See which one is the best for you.
The Imagine H2O Accelerator equips early-stage water entrepreneurs with the resources they need to develop their solutions, commercialize their technologies, and enter new markets.
Imagine H2O Asia unlocks access to water innovation across the region, connecting startups to new markets, partners, and pilot support from our Singapore hub.
The Urban Water Challenge provides comprehensive support for entrepreneurs who are ready to launch and scale solutions that will transform the future of water in coastal cities.
Imagine H2O Accelerator 2015
Digital Water
Valor Water’s leadership recognized that utilities were struggling to meet conservation goals while maintaining their financial viability. In response, the company created a proactive, data-driven approach to lowering apparent water loss, reducing unnecessary meter replacement, and optimizing revenue.
Imagine H2O played a critical role in honing Valor Water’s business model and go-to-market strategy. In fact, CEO Christine Boyle met her first two investors within minutes of Water Innovation Week in 2015! These investors became her earliest and most enduring supporters; one of them later joined the Valor Water board. Another Imagine H2O judge joined the team as an advisor. At the time, the company was still a few months away from a product launch; Imagine H2O’s recognition served as a powerful third-party validation, helping Valor Water secure critical investment.
We had an exciting week at the UN Water Conference! Innovation takes Center Stage: Aquacycl and FieldFactors took top honors at the Boiling Point pitch competition hosted by Imagine H2O and Wavin. The lively event included three other portfolio companies Puraffinity, BlueConduit, and Epic Cleantec. Our judges included representatives from Dhaka WASA, Aqualateral, World Economic Forum, Wavin Group and Burnt Island Ventures. Strengthening our Partnerships: Our friends […]
The Sustainable Access Solution Fund will pilot innovative technologies for water-stressed and climate-impacted communities Atlanta, San Francisco, Singapore The Coca-Cola Foundation and Imagine H2O, a global nonprofit that accelerates and deploys new water innovations, have partnered to scale entrepreneurial solutions for the global water crisis. The Sustainable Access Solution Fund (“Solution Fund”) unlocks targeted grants […]
Imagine H2O’s Accelerator & Urban Water Challenge programs announce their 2023 startup cohorts We are in a promising era of water innovation. Technology advancements, increased investment, expanding awareness, collaboration and favorable policy are creating a fertile ground for water innovation to grow – allowing for new solutions to address the world’s water challenges. As the […]
