Investing in Water: Startup Showcase & Happy Hour
Water is a high-value input to critical areas of our economy—including artificial intelligence, manufacturing, and food—while also playing a central role in addressing climate change and protecting human health. Yet despite its importance, water innovation remains significantly underfunded, often accounting for less than 3% of climate tech venture capital. This event invites investors to explore the growing opportunity in water across municipal and industrial applications, spanning different stages and market segments.
Hear from leading voices in climate and water tech investment on emerging trends and challenges before select Imagine H2O entrepreneurs deliver rapid-fire pitches on their transformative solutions, spanning key water innovation trends and categories including PFAS destruction, AI-powered water quality analytics, digital twin modeling, mobile water treatment deployment, in-conduit hydropower, sewer infrastructure monitoring, smart water testing devices, corrosion sensing, rapid pipe repair materials, and automated condition assessment for stormwater and wastewater networks—serving utilities, industries, and municipalities globally.
Finally, meet the newest cohort of innovative water companies participating in Imagine H2O’s 2025 programs and enjoy a celebratory happy hour.
Doors open at 2:30 PM, program begins at 2:45 PM.
Speakers:
Sophie Purdom, Managing Partner, Planeteer Capital & Co-Founder, CTVC
Tamin Pechet, CEO, UpWell
Carley Phillips, Principal, Greycroft
Brianne Nakamura, Open Innovation Manager, Xylem
Tom Ferguson, Managing Partner, Burnt Island Ventures
Nidhi Menon, Accelerator Program Manager, Imagine H2O
Startup Showcase:
Thank you to the Supporters of the Water Innovation Summit:
Xylem, Grundfos, Silicon Valley Bank, Epic Cleantec, Sea Change, Echo River, XPV Water Partners
Host
Imagine H2O is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to entrepreneurs building transformative solutions around the future of water. The organization’s innovation programs provide startups with the resources, insight and visibility to launch and scale water solutions. By partnering with industry and policy experts, and a global network of customers and investors, Imagine H2O has become a proven path to market for emerging water technology businesses. Since 2009, Imagine H2O has supported 230 startups who have deployed their solutions in 50+ countries and have raised more than $1.3B in investment.
Support Imagine H2O by making a tax-deductible donation.
Contact andrea@imagineh2o.org if you are interested in sponsoring this event or the overall Summit.
By registering for this event, you agree to share your registration information with the organizers of SF Climate Week.