The second edition of the Tech Tour Water Tech concluded successfully on May 21 and 22 in Aarhus, Denmark. This year, the programme brought together 35 of the most promising water technology companies, selected by a panel of over 45 active investors and corporate partners. The participating investors have collectively contributed to investments totalling over €7 billion.
Opening Insights and Networking Highlights
The event kicked off with an insightful panel discussion, featuring key industry leaders. Rasmus Borgstrøm from DHI Innovation Lab shared critical considerations for entrepreneurs, “It’s essential for startups to precisely identify the problems their technologies solve and to robustly validate market demand.” The panel discussion set the stage for what startups must consider in the competitive water tech landscape.
Andrew Ferguson Dunn from NIRAS reflected on the event's invaluable networking opportunities: “The power of networking cannot be underestimated in our industry. This event proves it by matching the right people at the right time to foster significant advancements.” This sentiment was echoed by Christian Holmegaard Mossing, who noted the importance of being at the forefront of innovation to tackle pressing water issues.
Recognizing Excellence in Water Tech Innovation
The highlight of Tech Tour Water Tech 2024 was the recognition of eight companies for their innovative solutions and compelling presentations. These companies were chosen by a jury of seasoned investors and experts for their potential to transform the water tech industry:
Digital Water Solutions Inc. provides water utilities with hydrant.AI, enabling real-time monitoring of pressure, transient pressure, acoustics, and temperature through fire hydrants in the distribution system.
EMPYRIO offers an on-site, cost-effective sewage sludge utilization solution for small and medium-sized wastewater treatment plants, addressing disposal challenges with a sustainable approach.
IPEE develops water-efficient sanitary solutions using patented sensor technology, revolutionizing water use in residential and commercial sanitary ware without direct contact with water or waste.
Redberry SAS offers rapid microbiological testing for waters, providing unprecedented sensitivity and ease-of-use by eliminating the culture phase in industrial microbiology for immediate results.
Renasys AS developed a revolutionary wastewater filtration solution that removes 99% of particles above 5 microns. The system is modular, compact, autonomous, energy-efficient, and scalable for various industries.
SeaO2 is an ocean carbon removal company using cost-efficient electrochemical Direct Ocean Capture to remove CO2 from the atmosphere at gigaton scale.
Solaq develops Air-to-Water technology, extracting water from air to address global water scarcity, providing sustainable, reliable, and affordable drinking water.
Waterwhelm develops a breakthrough water reuse and desalination technology operating at significantly lower pressure than reverse osmosis, achieving the world's lowest rate of electricity consumption and CO2 emissions by utilizing waste heat.
A Platform for Future Growth
The Tech Tour Water Tech Programme is organized with the support of our partners: Clean, NIRAS, Water Valley Denmark, City of Aarhus, Kromann Reumert, The Water Council, The Link, Water Alliance, Solar Impulse Foundation, International Cleantech Network, The Trade Council, Erhvervshus Midtjylland, Erhvervshus Nordjylland, DHI, and Danfoss.
It plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between startups and investors and ensures that pioneering ideas receive the attention and funding necessary to move from concept to reality.
Thomas Mikkelsen from Clean emphasized the collaborative spirit of the event: “Our partners and we are committed to supporting startups navigate the challenging waters of securing investment and scaling their operations.”
Looking Forward
As the curtains close on this year’s event, anticipation for future gatherings grows. The continuous commitment to hosting Tech Tour Water Tech ensures that the pulse of water tech innovation remains strong and impactful.
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Note
The article was written and based on quotes of Rasmus Borgstrøm - VP, DHI Innovation Lab, Andrew Ferguson Dunn - Regional Director & Vice President, NIRAS, the City of Aarhus, Christian Holmegaard Mossing - NIRAS, Thomas Mikkelsen – Project Manager, Water Team Lead, Clean, Michael Johansen - Head of Business Development, Clean.
