Creating Spaces Where Water Startups Are The Heroes

The Water Startup Matching Extravaganza was created, in part, in response to the many Water Innovation Events that are dominated by large organizations with "Startups On The Side" - isolated in Innovation Hubs or possibly included on the main stage only as part of the entertainment.

At WaterPitch! programs and events, Startups are the Heroes of the Program, set up for success with well-coached Startup Pitches and other Leadership Development.

We also welcome "Startup Supporters" including Investors, Client Innovation Leaders and Corporate Venturing, Federal Funding and Foundations, Accelerators and other Entrepreneur Support Programs - providing them with opportunities to "Reverse Pitch" to Startups and support in matching with the Startups that best fit their programs and innovation needs.

Opportunities for Leaders to Hear from Smaller Companies

Especially when Federal Spending is high, smaller Water Startups are often passed over in favor of larger municipal water agencies and large government contractors.

In times of Federal Uncertainty with respect to support for Water Tech and the Water Sector, however, these larger players may be cautious about speaking - even though Water has historically been one of the most bipartisan issues in Government.

Water Professionals often are motivated by a desire to make a difference but may find their opportunities to communicate constrained when they work for large, publicly funded, supported, or contracted organizations or recipients of federal grants.

Startup Founders are no longer constrained by being employees of larger companies, and are accustomed to taking well-planned risks. Startups and their Supporters can provide an important voice for Water and Water Innovation.

"Moving The Needle" on ClimateTech Funding for WaterTech Solutions

Most Innovations that reduce water use, increase water efficiency or quality, or create more resilient water systems - at the watershed scale, within water or industrial facilities, or in the home - often reduce energy and carbon as well.

Despite the multiple benefits of Water Solutions, WaterTech has consistly been underfunded among ClimateTech solutions - with WaterTech still receiving less than 3% of all ClimateTech investment!

As Federal funding and programs that provide technical assistance and regulatory oversight are reduced, there will be even more need to ensuring that private investors and other decisionmakers understand "how water works" - that water is critical not just for "life" but also for security and economic development - including every industrial, commercial, and manufacturing process.

W.E.L.L. Members are leading educational programs and initiating dialogues with ClimateTech Investors, Advisors, and Decisionmakers through Climate Weeks and related events!