Zurich-Toronto-Singapore - Emerald Technology Ventures is pleased to announce the closing of its water impact fund, with committed capital totalling USD 100 million from cornerstone investor Temasek and strategic investors SKion Water, Ecolab and Microsoft. The fund will invest in early- to expansion-stage companies globally to drive critical innovation and its adoption in the water space. It will support the development of technologies that address some of the most pressing global challenges, as expressed within the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including conserving water resources, supporting solutions for sustainable, resilient cities, improving resource efficiency, adapting to climate change, reducing health risks and stimulating innovation & economic growth.
“We are excited to launch this initiative with leading water investors and industry players, leveraging our growing presence in Asia-Pacific and decades-long technology expertise across sectors critical to addressing water challenges,” commented Gina Domanig, Managing Partner at Emerald. “This is another example of how partnering with global players accelerates the adoption of technology, which addresses global issues.”
“Addressing water challenges around the world will require transforming the way water systems are managed and advancing new technologies to reduce water consumption and increase water quality and replenishment,” said Brandon Middaugh, director of Microsoft’s Climate Innovation Fund. “Emerald has long led the way on identifying and investing in industrial technologies that change the market. We look forward to partnering with them and the other LPs on this new fund to accelerate global water innovation.”
“In less than 10 years, demand for freshwater is expected to outpace available supply by 40%,” said Ecolab President and Chief Operating Officer Christophe Beck. “It will take new innovations to reduce consumption and balance supply and demand for this precious resource. The Emerald water impact fund will support and accelerate innovations in the water sector more quickly to help solve this pressing global challenge.”
Reinhard Hübner, CEO of SKion Water added: “Emerald has successfully exited several investments in the water sector. Helge Daebel as leader of Emerald’s water activities is widely recognized as one of the most knowledgeable persons in the global water investor community. We look forward to working closely with the Emerald team and the other LPs of the fund to support innovation in the water sector.”
Helge Daebel, Partner at Emerald and leading its water activities, concluded: “As a trusted and value-adding partner, we facilitate collaborations on strategic innovation with global partners and customers. With the closing of this fund, we look forward to continuing to drive the water sector forward by utilizing our proven partnership model for the most innovative water companies.”
About Temasek
Headquartered in Singapore, Temasek is an investment company with a net portfolio value of SGD 306 billion (USD 214 billion, EUR 196 billion) as at 31 March 2020. Our three roles as an Investor, Institution and Steward, as defined in our Temasek Charter, shape our ethos to do well, do right and do good. We actively seek sustainable solutions to address present and future challenges, as we capture investment and other opportunities that help to bring about a better, smarter and more sustainable world.
www.temasek.com.sg
About SKion Water
SKion Water GmbH – through its operational subsidiaries Ovivo, EnviroChemie, ELIQUO WATER GROUP, Ecopreneur, ADASA, Matten – is a technology and solution provider, as well as a plant manufacturer, in both municipal and industrial water and wastewater technology. In addition, it invests in innovative water technology companies if the respective technology is a fit with its existing portfolio. SKion Water is a subsidiary of German entrepreneur Susanne Klatten’s investment holding SKion GmbH.
www.skionwater.com
About Ecolab
A trusted partner at nearly three million customer locations, Ecolab (ECL) is the global leader in water, hygiene and infection prevention solutions and services that protect people and vital resources. With annual sales of USD 13 billion and 45,000 associates, Ecolab delivers comprehensive solutions, data-driven insights and personalized service to advance food safety, maintain clean and safe environments, optimize water and energy use, and improve operational efficiencies and sustainability for customers in the food, healthcare, hospitality and industrial markets in more than 170 countries around the world.
www.ecolab.com
About Microsoft Microsoft
(Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.
www.microsoft.com
About Emerald Technology Ventures
Emerald is a globally recognized investment firm and strategic innovation partner, with offices in Zurich, Toronto and Singapore. Founded in 2000, it has raised five venture capital funds, completed over 400 venture investments in 67 emerging industrial technology leaders and managed five third-party investment mandates, including for the governments of Switzerland and Singapore. Emerald is a trusted open innovation partner for numerous multi-national corporations, leveraging deep industry expertise and rich global deal flow in the areas of energy, water, industrial IT, advanced materials, mobility, robotics, and agriculture.
www.emerald-ventures.com
For more information please contact:
Emerald Technology Ventures
Helge Daebel, Partner
helge.daebel@emerald-ventures.com
Philip van den Berg, Head of Marketing
philip.vandenberg@emerald-ventures.com
Seefeldstrasse 215
8008 Zurich, Switzerland
Tel +41 44 269 61 00