Global water technology company Xylem is supporting technology start-ups to develop solutions through its Innovation Labs commercial accelerator programme. Now in its second year, the programme has just accepted 10 new start-ups with a focus on solutions that promote advanced industrial treatment, regulatory compliance, a digital workforce and water system sustainability and decarbonisation.
David Flinton, chief innovation, technology, and product management officer at Xylem said: “Partnering with emerging tech companies allows us to tap into the diversity of global water innovators and work together to fast-track real-world solutions and business models to help our customers and communities solve water challenges.”
Launched in 2022, the Xylem Innovation Labs commercial accelerator programme takes new technologies to market to tackle global water issues such as scarcity, accessibility, and affordability, while reducing the carbon emissions of water systems. The first iteration of the programme supported 15 companies across eight countries, with a focus on solutions that address water quality, wastewater treatment and asset management.
These start-ups in the water industry are finding new solutions that range from augmented reality headsets connecting field-service teams in remote locations to expediting wastewater treatment plant designs for utilities using artificial intelligence (AI), as well as atmospheric water generation systems that supply water for industrial sites and commercial buildings.
“In the second year of the programme, Xylem Innovation Labs has established itself as a partner for water entrepreneurs as they launch their initial pilots and scale their businesses,” said Tom Ferguson, managing partner and founder of early-stage water investor, Burnt Island Ventures.
Xylem Innovation Labs was created to enable Xylem to leverage the power of partnerships by working with universities, start-ups, technology companies, venture capital firms, non-profits, and other innovators to expedite bringing new breakthrough technologies to market.
This collaborative approach addresses a significant pain point of technology adoption in the water industry, moving from pilot to commercial scale. Through mentorship, interactive workshops, and commercial pilots, the programme aims to support these emerging companies to refine, optimise, and scale their solutions.
Sivan Zamir, vice-president at Xylem Innovation Labs said, “Our accelerator programme supports that mission by bringing together innovators from across the water sector, leveraging Xylem’s size and reach to fast-track technologies that can make a difference for communities around the world.”
