Benzinga | Oct 21, 2021 12:12PM EDT

Xylem Expands Partnership With Imagine H2O To 'Support Water Innovation Entrepreneurs'

Xylem Inc. (NYSE:XYL), a leading global water technology company dedicated to solving the world's greatest water challenges has announced an expanded commitment to Imagine H2O, the leading water innovation accelerator and ecosystem for water entrepreneurs. As a global partner, Xylem brings expanded support to Imagine H2O's startup Accelerator and joins as the newest partner to Imagine H2O Asia, the organization's Singapore-based initiative supporting water solutions across Southeast Asia.

Xylem's recently launched Xylem Innovation Labs will work across Imagine H2O's programs to support entrepreneurs pioneering sustainable solutions to the water challenges facing communities and businesses, such as water access and infrastructure resilience and affordability. Xylem Innovation Labs creates partnerships with technology companies and startups to drive growth through innovation. Executives and business leaders from Xylem will play an active role in the accelerator's evaluation process and mentorship activities. Imagine H2O's track record of supporting digital water solutions, combined with Xylem's technology leadership, will be central to this new partnership. Additionally, Xylem's support will help expand Imagine H2O's efforts to validate, scale, and finance water solutions in high-impact markets.

"Ongoing droughts and intensified weather events underscore the need to mobilize innovation on a broader scale, faster, in the race to solve the world's water challenges," said Sivan Zamir, senior director of Xylem Innovation Labs. "Xylem is proud to support Imagine H2O in its role as the leading water innovation accelerator encouraging the most promising entrepreneurs and changemakers in water."

"Xylem's leadership on issues including digital transformation and green finance, represents an important partner to our work," explains Imagine H2O's President Scott Bryan. "Together, we can make meaningful progress toward unleashing new technologies and ensuring that communities can access the solutions required to provide safe, affordable, and reliable water to people."

Applications for Imagine H2O's Urban Water Challenge are now open, focused on startups accelerating water sustainability in coastal cities. Xylem is also supporting Imagine H2O's upcoming Water Innovation Week, an annual conference celebrating entrepreneurship and innovation, on November 3-4.