Imagine H2O selected ten startups to advance to its seventh annual Accelerator Program. The companies were chosen from a global field of more than 90 entrants to Imagine H2O’s Water Data Challenge, which identified promising startups that deliver water-focused data and analytics solutions. The companies will join the organization’s growing portfolio of more than 60 water technology companies, which represent over $1 in every $10 of early-stage investment in the water sector.
Improved access to actionable data and analytical tools is needed urgently as the world faces increasing pressure on its water systems. The opportunity is ripe for new solutions that enable water users across sectors to monitor and manage water resources more effectively.
“It will be impossible to tackle the global water challenge without basic data about our water resources,” said Imagine H2O Vice President of Programming Tom Ferguson. “These companies address some of the most pressing data problems in water, from utility process control to high-accuracy weather forecasting.”
The program attracted entrants from 18 countries on five continents. The ten finalists will be honored at an evening celebration on March 16 in San Francisco, where Imagine H2O will introduce the challenge's overall winner.
“Once again, Imagine H2O attracted an extraordinary field of startups tackling the global water challenge,” said Debra Coy, partner at XPV Water Partners. “I am pleased that these ten companies will benefit from accessing the organization's connections in the water industry and Silicon Valley.”
Imagine H2O provides a proven path to market for early-stage water companies, with participants benefitting from mentorship and advice from industry leaders, visibility in the marketplace, introductions to investors and connections to a global network of companies and utilities committed to deploying water technology.
The ten finalists are ANDalyze, Apana, Ceres Imaging, FarmX, FLUID, Mapistry, NJBSoft, Sourcewater (U.S.), Ayyeka (Israel) and Ignitia (Ghana).
Imagine H2O’s judging panel—which includes leading industry experts from venture capital firms, water utilities and engineering businesses—based its selection of the finalists on their market viability, value proposition and go-to-market strategy. The program's major financial supporters include Wells Fargo (headline sponsor), Suez North America Foundation, Tetra Tech, Morrison Foerster and the California Water Foundation.
Source: Imagine H2O
