Impact X Venture Studio partners with Microsoft and Spring Innovation to launch campaign investing in diverse water technology innovators

Impact X Venture Studio, in collaboration with Microsoft and Spring Innovation, has announced the launch of a campaign which will fast-track the growth of diverse companies and founders with innovative ideas and perspectives that are able to address key challenges in the water industry.

The Impact X Venture Studio, accelerated by Microsoft, is a pioneering initiative dedicated to addressing the world’s most critical sustainability challenges through the creation of high-growth tech start-ups.

Water scarcity is increasingly becoming a hot button global issue. With Europe bracing itself for another drought and extreme water stress across the global south, the demand for dynamic and innovative solutions – from treatment technologies to leak detection and the role of AI – has grown dramatically.

Through its partnership with Microsoft, the firm is unveiling a new campaign to find companies specifically led by Black and female founders and is offering £250,000 in seed funding to help grow these organisations.

The programme, created in collaboration with Spring Innovation, is aimed both at start-ups and founders currently in the space as well as those with robust and scalable ideas and fresh perspectives that can help address the key challenges.

The Venture Studio focuses specifically on the UK water industry and as well as seed investment of offers up to £120,000 in cloud credits, and complimentary working space in London. Furthermore, participants gain unparalleled access to industry experts and a host of additional benefits. This programme invites not only start-ups and founders already working in the water industry but also welcomes anyone with innovative ideas and fresh perspectives.

Eric Collins, CEO of Impact X Capital Partners, highlighted the significance of this partnership, saying:

“The Impact X Venture Studio targets a select cohort of underrepresented start-ups that have the potential to drive efficiency, optimization, and innovation not only in the water industry but beyond. This programme not only increases the likelihood of achieving a double bottom-line return but also dramatically reduces the time frame for achieving high growth.”

The Studio places a strong emphasis on working with underrepresented founders to ensure diversity and innovation from the very beginning. Simultaneously, it prioritises the development of companies capable of generating early revenue, addressing the biggest challenge faced by founders in terms of securing enterprise trials and contracts that can truly revolutionise fundraising and long-term success.

By directly aligning entrepreneurs with industry challenges, the Impact X Venture Studio aims to expedite the process and foster collaborations that can reshape the landscape of the water industry.

In collaboration with Spring Innovation and a selection of water companies, the Venture Studio seeks innovative solutions to three high-value customer challenges: exploring avenues for minimising adverse impacts on water quality, accelerating the rollout and maintenance of capital-intensive solutions, and engaging customers to reduce demand and enhance the value of water, thereby reducing emissions.

Applications for the Impact X Venture Studio will close on June 23rd.

Entrepreneurs and companies with underrepresented founders or underrepresented members in their senior management teams that are able to address any of the three outlined challenges are encouraged to apply.

For further information and to submit an application, please visit the Impact X Venture Studio website: https://studio.impactxcapital.com/.

Innovators interested in the Venture Studio are also invited to attend an event on June 14th at 17:00, where they can gain in-depth knowledge about the water industry challenges that have been set. Industry leaders will share their expertise, providing valuable insights.

To register for the event, please visit: Venture Studio Challenge Deep Dive.