As pressure mounts to invest in water infrastructure and resilience technologies, venture investors are increasing funding for startups developing solutions across the global water system.
Emerald Technology Ventures said its Global Water Fund II has reached €100 million in commitments, following new investments from Temasek and Grundfos Foundation.
The fund had announced a first close of €60 million in late 2025 and is targeting a total size of €150 million to €180 million. Other investors in the fund include Veralto Corporation, Ecolab, SKion Water and Oxy Technology Ventures.
Investing in water resilience and technology
Global Water Fund II focuses on startups working across the water technology value chain.
The fund plans to invest in companies developing solutions in areas such as water infrastructure resilience, advanced treatment, reuse technologies, and digital monitoring and automation.
“With Temasek and Grundfos Foundation joining Global Water Fund II, we are bringing together two globally influential organisations with highly complementary perspectives on water resilience. The fund is designed as a platform where this kind of collaboration can take shape – connecting long-term capital, industrial leadership, and breakthrough technologies to accelerate solutions across the global water system,” said Dr Helge Daebel, Partner at Emerald and longstanding head of its water practice.
Building on earlier water-tech investments
Founded in 2000, Emerald manages and advises assets of over €1 billion from its offices in Zurich, Toronto and Singapore.
The firm invests in startups that tackle big challenges in climate change and sustainability, with four current funds, hundreds of venture transactions and five third-party investment mandates, including loan guarantees to over 100 startups.
Some of its portfolio companies were later acquired by industry players such as SUEZ, Xylem and BASF.
The firm said the new fund will continue supporting collaborations between startups and large corporations developing water technology solutions.
“Within the water sector, we are convinced that doing business goes hand in hand with doing good. Our investment is a bid to help more water startups grow strong and address global water and climate challenges,” said Executive Director Kim Nøhr Skibsted, Grundfos Foundation.
