Organization · Accelerator
Imagine H2O
Imagine H2O is a nonprofit organization based in San Francisco, California, that accelerates water innovation globally. It supports early-stage startups with mentorship, funding, and market access to address water-related challenges.
Overview
What Imagine H2O does
What Imagine H2O is
Imagine H2O is a nonprofit organization based in San Francisco, California, that accelerates water innovation globally. It supports early-stage startups with mentorship, funding, and market access to address water-related challenges.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports funder and program host and community and event host capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.
Operational profile
Organization status and context
Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.
- Operational status
- Active
- Organization type
- Accelerator
- Founded
- Founded in 2008
- Approximate age
- About 18 years
- Structured capabilities
- Funder · Program host · Community · Event host
- Last reviewed
- March 27, 2026
What Accelerator means
An accelerator is a structured, short-term program designed to speed up a startup's progress toward product-market fit, traction, fundraising, or scale.
Open the glossary entryOfficial channels
Find Imagine H2O elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
Imagine H2O as a funder
Investment thesis
Imagine H2O accelerates and funds water innovation globally, addressing challenges related to water scarcity, quality, and management through entrepreneurial solutions.
Focus narrative
Imagine H2O invests in early-stage water startups that provide innovative solutions across various sectors, including drinking water, wastewater treatment, stormwater management, and water efficiency. The organization operates globally, supporting startups through programs like the Imagine H2O Accelerator and the Water Innovation Pilot Fund, which provide mentorship, funding, and access to markets.
Value beyond capital
Imagine H2O provides mentorship, funding, and access to markets for early-stage water startups, enhancing their chances of success and innovation in the water sector.
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Accelerator · Pre-seed · Seed
- Regions
- Global
Availability
- Currently deploying
- Yes
Portfolio and track record
- Recorded portfolio count
- 255
Portfolio context
Imagine H2O has supported over 255 startups from 30 countries, which have collectively raised more than $1.3 billion in funding. Notable portfolio companies include: 120Water: A digital solution for water sampling and compliance. ACWA Robotics: Focuses on network and non-revenue water management. CREW Carbon: Develops technology for carbon removal in wastewater treatment.
Capability profile
Imagine H2O as a program host
Program thesis
Imagine H2O is a nonprofit organization focused on accelerating and funding water innovation globally, addressing challenges related to water scarcity, quality, and management through entrepreneurial solutions.
Focus narrative
Imagine H2O invests in early-stage water startups that provide innovative solutions across various sectors, including drinking water, wastewater treatment, stormwater management, and water efficiency. The organization operates globally, supporting startups through programs like the Imagine H2O Accelerator and the Water Innovation Pilot Fund, which provide mentorship, funding, and access to markets.
Value and support
Imagine H2O offers mentorship, funding, and access to markets for early-stage water startups, helping them to innovate and scale their solutions.
Format and cadence
- Typical duration
- 52 weeks
Availability
- Application state
- Not published
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Accelerator · Pre-seed · Seed
- Regions
- Global
Alumni and track record
Alumni context
Notable portfolio companies include 120Water, a digital solution for water sampling and compliance; ACWA Robotics, which focuses on network and non-revenue water management; and CREW Carbon, which develops technology for carbon removal in wastewater treatment.
Capability profile
Imagine H2O as a community
Community overview
Imagine H2O is a nonprofit organization founded in 2008 and based in San Francisco, California. The organization focuses on accelerating and funding water innovation globally, aiming to address challenges related to water scarcity, quality, and management through entrepreneurial solutions.
Community focus
Imagine H2O invests in early-stage water startups that provide innovative solutions across various sectors, including drinking water, wastewater treatment, stormwater management, and water efficiency. The organization operates globally, supporting startups through programs like the Imagine H2O Accelerator and the Water Innovation Pilot Fund, which provide mentorship, funding, and access to markets.
Member value
Members benefit from mentorship, funding opportunities, and access to markets, enhancing their chances of success in the water innovation sector.
Membership
- Recorded members
- 255
- Pricing models
- free
Format and cadence
- Modality
- in-person
- Schedule
- cohort-based
- Commitment
- moderate
Availability
- Membership state
- Accepting
Audience and fit
- Audience
- Founders · Investors
- Benefits
- mentorship, network-access, and grant-funding
- Program types
- accelerator and community
- Selection criteria
- application
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed
- Regions
- Global
Community activity
Events and activity
Imagine H2O hosts several key events, including WEFTEC, an annual event showcasing portfolio companies and engaging with industry leaders, and Demo Day, where startups from the Accelerator cohort present their innovations to potential investors and partners.
Notable members
Notable portfolio companies include 120Water, ACWA Robotics, and CREW Carbon. The organization has supported over 255 startups from 30 countries.
Capability profile
Imagine H2O as an event host
Event focus
Imagine H2O invests in early-stage water startups that provide innovative solutions across various sectors, including drinking water, wastewater treatment, stormwater management, and water efficiency. The organization operates globally, supporting startups through programs like the Imagine H2O Accelerator and the Water Innovation Pilot Fund, which provide mentorship, funding, and access to markets.
Format narrative
The Imagine H2O Accelerator is a 12-month program that supports early-stage water startups, providing them with mentorship, funding, and market access. Additionally, the organization hosts events and webinars to engage with the community and showcase innovations in water technology.
Participant value
Imagine H2O provides critical support to early-stage water startups, helping them navigate challenges in funding, mentorship, and market access, ultimately driving innovation in water technology.
Format and cadence
- Event types
- demo-day
- Recurrence
- annual
- Modality
- in-person
- Startups can present
- Yes
Availability
- Registration state
- Accepting
Audience and fit
- Selection criteria
- open
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed
- Audience
- Founders · Investors
- Sectors
- Water Tech
- Regions
- Global
Speakers and past editions
Speakers
Scott Bryan, President of Imagine H2O.
Past editions
Imagine H2O has supported over 255 startups from 30 countries, which have collectively raised more than $1.3 billion in funding. Notable portfolio companies include 120Water, ACWA Robotics, and CREW Carbon.
Common questions
What to know about Imagine H2O
Upseed classifies Imagine H2O under the Accelerator organization type. Its current public profile includes funder, program host, community, and event host capabilities.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
March 27, 2026
Known limits
Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.