Imagine H2O, WaterTAP Promote Water Entrepreneurship
WaterTAP Ontario has signed a memorandum of understanding with San Francisco-based Imagine H2O to encourage participation by Ontario water technology companies in Imagine H2O’s water innovation business strategy competitions and to access its water technology incubator resources.
“We’re excited to announce our first Accelerator Hub Partnership outside the United States,” said Scott Bryan, Imagine H2O’s chief operating officer. "Globally, Ontario is regarded as a leading hub for water innovations and we’ve excelled with support from the region’s private sector since launching our first program in 2009. Increased participation from Ontario’s water startups is a great opportunity for our program, and formalizing a partnership with the region’s leading accelerator broadens Imagine H2O’s ecosystem for entrepreneurship and innovation.”
WaterTAP, founded in 2010 with Government of Ontario support, is the province’s water sector champion. It connects growing water companies with promising ideas to the right industry partners, potential customers, business support programs, international investors and other capital sources. More than 900 water businesses are headquartered in Ontario and the sector employs over 22,000 people.
“Partnering with Imagine H2O will help us raise the profile of our next-generation technology companies and really showcase internationally how Ontario’s water technology sector has developed technologies, processes and opportunities that make it the water tech hub of the Americas,” said WaterTAP Ontario CEO, Brian Mergelas.
Imagine H2O is a nonprofit organization that helps entrepreneurs turn water challenges into business opportunities. Winners of its global business plan competitions get access to its accelerator programs and visibility with potential investors. WaterTAP’s partnership with Imagine H2O will further extend WaterTAP’s efforts to promote Ontario’s unique economic opportunity via Imagine H2O’s network of entrepreneurs and startups.
Source: WaterTAP Ontario