SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 7, 2016 (PRNewswire) -- Imagine H2OTM, the water innovation accelerator, selected 10 startups to advance to its 7th annual Accelerator Program. The companies were chosen from a global field of more than 90 entrants to IH2O's Water Data Challenge, which identified promising startups that deliver water-focused data and analytics solutions. The companies will join the organization's growing portfolio of over 60 water technology companies, which represent over $1 in every $10 of early-stage investment in the water sector.
Improved access to actionable data and analytical tools is needed urgently as the world faces increasing pressure on its water systems. The opportunity is ripe for new solutions that enable water users across sectors to monitor and manage water resources more effectively.
"It will be impossible to tackle the global water challenge without basic data about our water resources," said Imagine H2O's VP of Programming Tom Ferguson. "These companies address some of the most pressing data problems in water, from utility process control to high accuracy weather forecasting."
The program attracted entrants from 18 countries on five continents. The 10 finalists will be honored at an evening celebration on March 16 in San Francisco, where Imagine H2O will introduce the Challenge's overall winner.
"Once again, Imagine H2O attracted an extraordinary field of startups tackling the global water challenge," said Debra Coy, partner at XPV Water Partners. "I am pleased that these 10 companies will benefit from accessing the organization's connections in the water industry and Silicon Valley."
Imagine H2O provides a proven path-to-market for early stage water companies, with participants benefitting from mentorship and advice from industry leaders, visibility in the marketplace, introductions to investors and connections to a global network of companies and utilities committed to deploying water technology.
The 10 finalists are ANDalyze, Apana, Ceres Imaging, FarmX, FLUID, Mapistry, NJBSoft, Sourcewater (USA), Ayyeka (Israel) and Ignitia (Ghana).
Imagine H2O's judging panel, which includes leading industry experts from venture capital firms, water utilities and engineering businesses, based its selection of the finalists on their market viability, value proposition, and go-to-market strategy. The program's major financial supporters include Wells Fargo (Headline Sponsor), Suez North America Foundation, Tetra Tech, Morrison Foerster and the California Water Foundation.
About Imagine H2O
Imagine H2O provides water entrepreneurs with the resources, insight and visibility to launch and scale successful businesses. Since 2009, the organization's Accelerator has supported over 550 water startups from 25 countries. Imagine H2O partners with leading utilities, corporations, investors, academic institutions and associations committed to advancing water innovation. Imagine H2O recently launched the California Policy Challenge to source policy ideas that accelerate the deployment of water technologies to improve the State's water resource management. To learn more about our work and connect with water entrepreneurs around the world, please visit www.imagineh2o.org.
