Imagine H2O Announces Top Startups in Global Competition to Advance Water Security

SAN FRANCISCO, March 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Amid ongoing drought in leading agricultural regions, Imagine H2O, a global nonprofit organization catalyzing entrepreneurial solutions to water challenges, today announced the winners of its 5th annual Business Innovations Competition. The winning startups receive a total of $200,000 in cash and in-kind services as well as access to customers in the Food and Agriculture Sector.

Aerial crop monitoring startup TerrAvion won the early-stage track of the competition. California Safe Soils, a startup recovering water and nutrients from food waste, won the growth-stage track. Startups from Canada, Australia, Israel, and Wisconsin were named runners up. These teams led an international field of over 70 water entrepreneurs from 11 different countries. Among the leading trends in this cohort were waste-to-value and water data collection and management.

"From an industry perspective, it's exciting to see numerous entrepreneurs and startups around the world addressing this critical need for new technology for reducing water use in food production," said Imagine H2O Judge Chris Morrison, Assistant Vice President of Global Water Technology Partnerships at Ecolab. "Large and small beverage and food firms are now looking for improved devices, chemistry, and programs to reduce water waste."

Imagine H2O's judging panel, which includes leading industry experts from companies such as Google Ventures, America Water, and True North Venture Partners, based its selection of the winners and runners up on their commercial viability, customer value proposition, go-to market strategy, and financial plan.

Imagine H2O's approach to technology innovation connects startups with international market leaders. This year's accelerator program, in collaboration with the BlueTechValley, features over a dozen leading commercial growers and food processors, including Groupe Danone's Stonyfield Farms, Earthbound Farms, Paramount Farms and SunMaid, together representing over $30 billion in annual revenue.

Global food production accounts for 70% of total freshwater use, according to a recent U.N. report. California, which leads the U.S. in agricultural production at $47 billion in annual revenue, uses as much as 80% of available water. Amid the drought that continues to grip this region and much of the Southwestern U.S., the need for improved water resource management via innovations in the food supply chain becomes increasingly dire. Since its founding in 2007, Imagine H2O has become the platform through which those needed business innovations reach water customers.

"With uncertainty comes great potential for disruptive technologies and business models," said Imagine H2O COO Scott Bryan. "The recent droughts in major food-producing regions like California poses an opportunity to entrepreneurs, businesses, and policymakers alike to take bold action toward securing a sustainable water future."

Imagine H2O's portfolio represents 1 in every 10 dollars of investment into new water companies. Over 350 startups have participated in this program. The program's major financial supporters include Wells Fargo (Headline Sponsor), Grundfos, Cooley LLP, the California Water Foundation, and the Stiefel Family Foundation.

For a complete list of Imagine H2O's winners and finalists please visit http://imagineh2o.org/food-and-agriculture.php

About Imagine H2O
Imagine H2O inspires and empowers people to solve water challenges and turn them into opportunities. We offer annual competitions for water innovation with focused, specific challenges including Water Efficiency (2009), Water-Energy Nexus (2010), Wastewater (2011) and Consumer Innovations (2012). In addition to financial support for the best ideas, the Imagine H2O Accelerator helps participating entrepreneurs turn their plans into transformational, real-world solutions. To learn more about Imagine H2O's global ecosystem for water innovation and connect with water entrepreneurs from around the world, please visit www.imagineh2o.org.

SOURCE Imagine H2O