Water security is a critical global challenge, with increasing demand and climate change straining supplies. Startups worldwide are tackling this issue with innovative technologies, from advanced water monitoring systems to renewable energy-powered desalination solutions. These companies are shaping the future of water management and accessibility, offering sustainable solutions for households, industries, and agriculture. Here’s a look at 10 notable startups making strides in water security.
1. bNovate Technologies (Switzerland)
CEO: Serge Gander
bNovate Technologies has developed an automatic, remote biosensor that monitors and detects bacterial concentrations in water supplies in just minutes, a significant improvement over traditional methods that take several days. This rapid detection capability enhances water safety and quality, especially in urban and industrial systems.
2. Epic Cleantec (USA)
Founder: Aaron Tartakovsky
Epic Cleantec specializes in onsite water treatment and reuse systems for buildings. Their solutions recycle up to 95% of water for non-potable uses such as irrigation, toilet flushing, and laundry. Additionally, Epic recovers heat energy from wastewater and produces organic soil amendments, offering a comprehensive approach to sustainable water management.
3. Indra Water (India)
Founder: Amrit Om Nayak
Indra Water delivers decentralized wastewater treatment systems powered by electricity and requiring no added chemicals in primary treatment. With over 750 million liters of water treated for reuse, their solutions achieve 95% water recovery and occupy 75% less physical footprint than conventional systems, promoting efficient water use in communities and industries.
4. Kilimo (Argentina)
Founder: Jairo Trad
Kilimo operates a SaaS-enabled marketplace that employs big data and machine learning to optimize irrigation in agriculture. By improving water use efficiency, Kilimo enables farmers to sell water offsets to companies aiming for water neutrality, making it a vital player in sustainable agricultural practices.
5. Majik Water (Kenya)
Founder: Beth Koigi
Majik Water provides atmospheric water generator systems that capture moisture from the air using condensation techniques. This turnkey solution is particularly impactful for remote and underserved communities, offering access to safe drinking water where conventional water sources are unavailable.
6. NatureDots Private Limited (India)
Founder: Mohammad Aatish Khan
NatureDots addresses ecological stressors in inland fish farms and water bodies through its “AquaNurch” platform. The solution offers real-time, remote monitoring for aquaculture, enabling water managers to mitigate risks posed by deteriorating water quality and climate-related challenges.
7. Oneka Technologies (Canada)
Founder: Dragan Tutic
Oneka Technologies uses wave-powered desalination systems to produce clean drinking water. Their technology is drought-resistant, land-efficient, and completely renewable, operating independently of electricity grids and without greenhouse gas emissions.
8. Openversum (Switzerland)
Founder: Olivier Gröninger
Openversum has created a locally assembled biodegradable membrane filter that removes pathogens and heavy metals from water. Their microfranchising model empowers entrepreneurs to produce and distribute these filters, fostering local economic development alongside improved water quality.
9. RainGrid Inc. (Canada)
CEO: Kevin Mercer
RainGrid builds property-based digital networks to manage residential rainfall runoff at the community scale. By restoring groundwater health and creating verifiable ecosystem credits, RainGrid supports net-zero water runoff and watershed security.
10. Wateroam Pte Ltd (Singapore)
Founder: David Pong
Wateroam offers a portable, lightweight filtration system capable of producing high-quality drinking water without electricity. Weighing just 2.5kg, the system is easily transportable, providing swift relief in disaster zones and remote regions.
Climate Insider Notes
As the global water crisis deepens, these startups highlight promising solutions across key areas of water security. Here’s why they stand out:
- Advanced Monitoring: Technologies like those from bNovate enable real-time data collection, crucial for urban water systems.
- Reuse and Recycling: Epic Cleantec and Indra Water focus on maximizing reuse, offering scalable, efficient systems for buildings and communities.
- Agricultural Solutions: Kilimo addresses the largest water consumer—agriculture—while creating economic incentives for conservation.
- Localized Access: Majik Water and Openversum target underserved communities with portable and locally-assembled solutions.
- Sustainable Desalination: Oneka’s wave-powered system demonstrates renewable, off-grid possibilities for coastal areas.
- Innovative Ecosystem Services: RainGrid and NatureDots provide broader ecosystem benefits by restoring groundwater and protecting aquaculture.
These startups reflect the diverse innovations necessary to tackle water challenges in a warming, more populous world. Investing in such technologies will be critical to building resilient, sustainable systems for the future.
Featured Image: Credit: The Nature Conservancy
