Breakthrough Technologies Are Increasing Water Security for Communities and Businesses
Xylem Partnerships Accelerator (Image source: Xylem Inc.)
Among their innovations: direct-to-chip cooling that uses no water; AI tools that detect and stop leaks; treatment systems that recover valuable metals and nutrients from wastewater; and sensor platforms that detect harmful pathogens in real time.
These real-world solutions tackle an increasingly complex set of global water challenges. Around the world, the explosive growth of AI is driving a sharp rise in water demand from data centers. At the same time, aging infrastructure is leaking an average of 30% of the water it’s meant to deliver, while emerging contaminants like “forever chemicals” are surfacing in drinking water supplies. Compounding these strains, volatile weather patterns are disrupting overburdened systems.
“The next generation of water technology is already here,” said Sivan Zamir, Vice President of Innovation and Venture at Xylem. “These companies are delivering solutions that meet the moment and secure the resource that underpins every economy and healthy community: water. The Accelerator provides a path to global scale with maximum impact.”
Now in its fourth year, the Xylem Partnerships Accelerator, operated by Xylem Innovation Labs, has supported more than 60 startups from 15 countries. The program has resulted in 11 commercial partnerships and continues to serve as a launchpad for high-impact technologies in the water sector. In 2024, Xylem expanded its corporate venture strategy, committing $50 million to support emerging companies that solve critical challenges such as water scarcity and water quality.
Program alumni include Cobalt Water Global, which recently signed a commercial agreement with Xylem to integrate its hardware-enabled AI/ML software – a proven platform for managing the release of nitrous oxide (N₂O) – into Xylem Vue, a software and analytics program for utilities.
“The Xylem Partnerships Accelerator helped us transform from a company with a breakthrough technology for the water industry into a company that can deliver that technology at a wide, commercial scale,” said Jose Porro, CEO and Founder, Cobalt Water Global. “In the process, we also gained a trusted global corporate partner in Xylem, who can help unlock and accelerate technology adoption in a way that would not be possible on our own.”
The Accelerator is supported by a network of innovation partners, including leading venture capital firms Burnt Island Ventures and The Westly Group.
“By leveraging their industry expertise and market reach, corporations act as a catalyst for the commercialization of frontier technologies. Technology innovations are central to water security, and Xylem is playing a pivotal role in driving tangible impact,” said Shaun Chaudhuri, Partner at Westly Group.
Source: Xylem Inc.
