Water
Our water systems are encountering such severe threats that a quarter of humanity faces looming water crises. We’re looking for solutions in three main elements of water systems — monitoring and treatment, operations and efficiency, and access.
Can we build a better WATER system?
Funding Startups Addressing Urgent Environmental Challenges
What technologies are we looking for?
- Measurement & repair
- Emerging contaminants & newly regulated substances treatment
- System optimization
- Membrane related systems
- Decentralized treatment solutions
- Capital-efficient utility upgrades
- Technology related to human capital
- Data & AI-based maintenance tools
- Safe, affordable, non-discriminatory drinking water solutions
- Emergency preparedness
- Conservation & water reuse solutions
Most public capital goes to centralized infrastructure, overlooking opportunities for improvement elsewhere in the water ecosystem. We prioritize technologies that take a decentralized approach, help municipalities and utilities reduce pollution, and advance solutions to provide clean water for all.
Accelerating Companies Through Key Commercial Inflection Points
Our Water Portfolio
Portable water quality sensors for rapid contaminant analysis
Situational awareness for the wastewater network
Biotechnologies for safe drinking water, wastewater treatment, and renewable chemicals
Making drinking water from sunlight and air
Smart water leak detection & control for homes; Acquired by Resideo in 2019
Aerial imagery solutions for farmers
Customer engagement for water utilities
Addressing Real-World Problems
At Elemental, we take a place-based approach by recruiting entrepreneurs who are solving needs in the communities they seek to deploy in. We facilitate collaborative partnerships to help bring these solutions to the places we call home – Hawaii, California’s frontline communities, and the Asia Pacific – then scale the impact to the rest of the world.
Hawaii & Asia Pacific
Through our Demonstration Track, we co-fund and deploy projects in Hawaii and the Asia Pacific alongside startups and local businesses, government agencies, and community organizations.
California
The Equity & Access track supports startups delivering community-driven clean technology innovation in California’s frontline communities.
Global
Our Go-to-Market track is designed to support companies from all over the world in search of market intelligence and sales & growth strategies.
A Platform For Global Impact
Elemental Excelerator is created in collaboration with Emerson Collective's Elemental platform, which is focused on balancing the needs of humanity and nature by supporting scalable, equitable, and innovative solutions.
Emerson Collective is an organization established and led by Laurene Powell Jobs dedicated to removing barriers to opportunity so people can live to their full potential. Elemental is Emerson Collective’s platform for applying systems level, design thinking to the multifaceted environmental challenges of our time, using every tool and talent we can avail.
Conservation International is working to build a healthier, more prosperous, and more productive planet through science, policy, and partnerships with countries, communities, and companies. Over the years, they have helped support 1,200 protected areas and interventions across 77 countries, protecting more than 601 million hectares of land, marine, and coastal areas.
Conservation International is working to build a healthier, more prosperous, and more productive planet through science, policy, and partnerships with countries, communities, and companies. Over the years, they have helped support 1,200 protected areas and interventions across 77 countries, protecting more than 601 million hectares of land, marine, and coastal areas. More.
Ulupono is a Hawaii-focused impact investing firm.
Ulupono is a Hawaii-focused impact investing firm working to improve the quality of life for island residents in four key areas: locally produced food; clean, renewable energy; and better management of water and waste.
Severn Trent is a UK-based water and wastewater company in the FTSE 100 (100 largest companies in the UK). The Severn Trent Water Authority was created as one of 10 state-run regional water utilities in 1973, and became a private company when the UK privatized its water sector in 1989. Today, the company serves 4.3 million homes and businesses in the Midland region.
Severn Trent is a UK-based water and wastewater company in the FTSE 100 (100 largest companies in the UK). The Severn Trent Water Authority was created as one of 10 state-run regional water utilities in 1973, and became a private company when the UK privatized its water sector in 1989. Today, the company serves 4.3 million homes and businesses in the Midland region. More.
How Do I Get Involved?
For Startups
Apply for funding up to $1 million and resources to help companies reach commercial scale.
FOR CORPORATES, INVESTORS, PHILANTHROPISTS, GOVERNMENT, AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
Learn more about how we work with partners to invest in and acquire startups, pilot new technology, and roll-out commercial-scale projects.
For Everyone Else
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