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Imagine H2O Accelerator

Imagine H2O Inc

Foundation Annual Grants for StartupsWater Grants
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Funding Amount

Varies

Deadline

March 1, 2027

327 days left

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Imagine H2O Accelerator

Overview: Imagine H2O's Accelerator is the leading entrepreneurial development program for water sector founders. A zero-equity accelerator that selects, accelerates, and deploys water technology solutions globally.

Key Statistics:

  • Since 2009: supported 150+ startups

  • 100+ solutions deployed in 50+ countries

  • $575M+ in early-stage investment raised by alumni

  • Notable exits: Valor Water (Xylem), Oxymem (DuPont), Flo Technologies (Moen), WaterSmart (VertexOne), Emagin (Innovyze)

  • 75%+ survival rate

  • Alumni raised $500M over 10 years ($300M in last 2 years)

    • Geographic Scope: Global (headquarters in San Francisco, CA; also operates in Singapore via Imagine H2O Asia)

    Focus Areas:

  • Municipal water solutions

  • Industrial water solutions

  • Agricultural water solutions

  • COVID-19 related water technologies

  • Climate resilience solutions

  • Social justice in water

  • Economic recovery through water innovation

  • Advanced technologies: AI, decarbonization, IoT networks, novel treatment technologies

    • Eligibility:

  • For-profit entities only

  • Incorporated after January 1, 2016

  • Less than $5 million in annual revenue

  • Less than $10 million in investment raised

  • Early-stage to experienced founders welcome

  • All backgrounds welcome (software, finance, energy, etc.)

  • Global applicants eligible

    • Support Provided:

  • Zero-equity model (no equity taken)

  • Access to network: 300+ investors, 80+ Beta Partners, 70+ mentors, 150+ alumni

  • 25+ annual training sessions

  • 280+ mentoring hours annually

  • 220+ customer and investor connections

  • Featured on IH2O Hub (leading networking platform for water sector)

  • Pilot funding opportunities

  • Customer introductions

  • Speaking opportunities

  • In-person and virtual bootcamp

  • Water Innovation Week participation in San Francisco

  • Access to industry conferences

  • Post-program alumni support and introductions

    • Program Details:

  • Virtual and in-person components

  • Duration: approximately 1 year per cohort

  • Demo Day showcase for investors and customers

  • 1:1 sessions with founders

  • Roundtables for investors, customers, and founders

  • Tailored engagement sessions

    • Non-Selected Applicants:

  • Receive detailed feedback from industry experts

  • Followed over time regardless of selection

  • Top applicants flagged to partner network

  • Application serves as business planning tool

    • Contact:
    Imagine H2O
    1 Embarcadero Center Suite 1200
    San Francisco, CA 94111
    website: imagineh2o.org

    How to Apply

    Application Process

    1. Submit Application Online
    - Applications submitted through website portal
    - Link provided at imagineh2o.org

    2. Application Evaluation
    - Reviewed by selection committee and judges
    - Companies judged on quality of thought, not stage of development
    - All applicants receive feedback from industry experts

    3. Selection Timeline
    - Applications open until March 1
    - Applicants notified by April 14

    4. Key Application Components
    - Business model articulation
    - Problem diagnosis
    - Risk appraisal
    - Value proposition clarity
    - Technology/solution description
    - Market opportunity analysis

    5. Selection Criteria
    - Quality of founder thinking
    - Business model viability
    - Water sector potential
    - Scalability
    - Team capability

      Required Materials

    • Application form (details not specified in provided text)
    • Company/product description
    • Market and competitive analysis
    • Financial projections
    • Founder background/team information

      Application Value

    • Even non-selected applicants benefit from application process
    • Helps clarify business objectives and strategy
    • Improves founder messaging to investors
    • Detailed feedback provided by industry experts
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    Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    startupswater

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