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Our Programs

Imagine H2O
Accelerator

The Accelerator is the leading development program for early-stage entrepreneurs around the world.

Apply to our programs on October 4th

Why participate?

The Imagine H2O Accelerator equips early-stage water startups with the resources they need to develop their solutions, commercialize their technologies, and enter new markets

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.


Our Track Record

The Accelerator is making waves

See what we’ve accomplished over the years.

13
years
140+
startups supported
80%
startup survival rate
$1B+
raised in early-stage funding
50+
tech adopters
100+
industry experts in mentor network

2023 Cohort

Our portfolio
Ainwater

Ainwater

Ainwater uses AI-based algorithms to optimize water and wastewater plant operations, ensuring compliance while increasing energy efficiency by 30%. 

Cohort

2023

Programs participated

Imagine H2O Accelerator

Bluemethane

Bluemethane

Bluemethane captures and permanently removes methane from water, as a new source of bioenergy and revenue for asset owners.

Cohort

2023

Programs participated

Imagine H2O Accelerator

CivilGrid

CivilGrid

CivilGrid compiles utility, geotech, and other project planning data to create a comprehensive map that accelerates due diligence and design of water infrastructure projects.

Cohort

2023

Programs participated

Imagine H2O Accelerator

iFlux

iFlux

iFlux provides visibility into groundwater dynamics through combining a network of IoT sensors, sampling technology and a real-time dashboard.

Cohort

2023

Programs participated

Imagine H2O Accelerator

Kairospace Technologies

Kairospace Technologies

Kairospace Technologies provides a clean-tech water treatment solution using gasses and nanobubbles to optimize water quality that increases agricultural outputs.

Cohort

2023

Programs participated

Imagine H2O Accelerator

LAIIER

LAIIER

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.

Cohort

2023

Programs participated

Imagine H2O Accelerator

Nucleic Sensing Systems

Nucleic Sensing Systems

Nucleic Sensing Systems’ portable system autonomously and continuously monitors biological species of concern geospatially and in real-time.

Cohort

2023

Programs participated

Imagine H2O Accelerator

Ocean Oasis

Ocean Oasis

Ocean Oasis provides desalinated water to shore through wave powered buoys.

Cohort

2023

Programs participated

Imagine H2O Accelerator
Urban Water Challenge

OmniVis

OmniVis

OmniVis’ handheld technology detects waterborne and food borne pathogens in under 30 minutes.

Cohort

2023

Programs participated

Imagine H2O Accelerator

RainStick

RainStick

Rainstick’s shower system captures, circulates and cleans the water in real-time, increasing water and energy efficiency up to 80%.

Cohort

2023

Programs participated

Imagine H2O Accelerator

Sudoc

Sudoc

Sudoc is using its patented chemistry to eliminate wasted material, energy, and water in textile bleaching and other water treatment applications.

Cohort

2023

Programs participated

Imagine H2O Accelerator

Benefits

Development, access, and global visibility

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.

ecoSPEARS tech
Startup Development
  • Connect with our network of 85+ mentors.
  • Attend virtual training sessions led by industry experts.
  • Receive personalized startup support.
Ecosystem Access
  • Access our global network of 81 tech adopters.
  • Secure funding through our pilot awards and our investor network.
  • Engage our portfolio of alumni startups.
Industry Visibility
  • Present at premiere industry events.
  • Leverage our online audience of 30K+ followers.
  • Gain credibility through IH2O’s stamp of approval. 
Eligibility

Is the Imagine H2O Accelerator right for you?

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.

Explore Our Portfolio
Zilper Team
Incorporated in the last 7 years
Less than $5M in annual revenue
Less than $10M of equity investment
What Our Alumni Say
Three things in life are guaranteed: death, taxes, and the fact that the Imagine H2O Accelerator is a must for water startups.
Suhayl Zulfiquar CEO & Co-Founder, Datatecnics
What Our Alumni Say
ImagineH2O was everything we’d hoped for and more. We chose their program over other accelerators and couldn’t be happier with our choice. Their unique, market-specific perspective is incredibly valuable and has absolutely changed the trajectory of our company for the better!
Tyler Henke CEO & Co-Founder, Ziptility
What Our Alumni Say
You can’t afford to miss this opportunity. Over less than a year, you will make more connections to mentors, industry influencers and customers than you would otherwise in five years.
Emily Mathison Product Sales and Marketing Manager, Waterworth
What Our Alumni Say
Without a doubt, being a part of the IH2O network will bring us strategic funding, additional clients and open market segments not possible without participating in the cohort. IH2O has been a pivotal milestone to scaling our business.
Megan Glover CEO & Co-Founder, 120Water
What Our Alumni Say
The content, mentors, and speakers in the IH2O program are a necessity for any water tech startup. Being a part of the program is by far one of the best decisions I have made as a founder.
Martin Gross CEO & Co-Founder, GWT

Case Study

Removing nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater using natural processes

Cohort

Imagine H2O Accelerator 2020, Urban Water Challenge IV

Focus Area

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.
Martin Gross CEO & Co-Founder, GWT
Our Tech Adopters

Pilot with our 81 tech adopters

We create and sustain a network of industrial, municipal, and agricultural leaders that help our startups succeed.

See all tech adopters

Meet our judges

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 alumni span the globe

As a virtual program, we welcome startups from around the world
We help startups grow and scale in their home markets, and bridge their solutions into new regions
Our Portfolio

Leading the water sector forward

Our entrepreneurs are revolutionizing how water is used, reused, treated, and accessed.

See our portfolio

Pure Active Water

Pure Active Water

Long-lasting chemical-free disinfection system that produces less sub-products and efficiently generates oxidants at one-tenth the concentration compared to chlorine disinfection, eliminating biofilm and preventing recontamination.

Cohort

IH2O Asia 2021

WI.Plat

WI.Plat

Cost-effective, cloud-based leak detection platform for water distribution networks with proprietary IOT-enabled acoustic sensors and AI-powered decision making dashboard.

Video still for Imagine H2O Accelerator

Cohort

IH2O Asia 2021

Upepo Technology Company Limited

Upepo Technology Company Limited

Narrow Band IoT for water management

Video still for Imagine H2O Accelerator

Cohort

UWC 2019

Biogill

Biogill

Modular biological wastewater treatment

Cohort

Accelerator 2013

Our Programs

We support startups throughout their entrepreneurial journey

Our programs support entrepreneurs at different stages and geographic regions. See which one is the best for you.

Imagine H2O Accelerator

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.

Learn more

Imagine H2O Asia

Imagine H2O Asia unlocks access to water innovation across the region, connecting startups to new markets, partners, and pilot support from our Singapore hub.

Learn more

Urban Water Challenge

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.

Learn more

Case Study

Christine Boyle leveraged Imagine H2O to take her startup from idea to exit

Cohort

Imagine H2O Accelerator 2015

Focus Area

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.