Ainwater Secures $537,000 in Initial Funding Round for Expansion

Ainwater, a Chilean startup specializing in artificial intelligence (AI) software for real-time monitoring and optimization of wastewater treatment plants, has completed its first funding round, raising $537,000. This investment is intended to support the company’s expansion into Colombia and Spain.

The funding round was led by Südlich Capital, with participation from Imagine Group, Buildtech Ventures, Arpegio, and angel investor Brian Oduor. Ainwater’s technology integrates digital twins and data analysis to enhance the operational efficiency of wastewater treatment facilities. The company’s platform offers predictive analytics and operational recommendations to improve energy efficiency and regulatory compliance.

Ainwater has recently achieved notable recognition in the startup community. It was one of the three finalists for the ftalks Startup Awards 2024 in Valencia. Additionally, Ainwater’s proposal was one of two selected for BidLab’s AquaCerta Challenge, which aims to strengthen water systems and promote innovation across Latin America and the Caribbean.

Currently, Ainwater serves 18 clients across Chile, Brazil, and Mexico, including notable companies such as Agrosuper, Nestlé, Grupo Bimbo, and Sigma Alimentos. The company is involved in a proof-of-concept program with Colombian corporates and is preparing to launch a pilot project in Spain by the end of 2024 through the Cajamar Innova incubator.

Ainwater plans to establish operations in Spain early next year, potentially appointing a country manager to lead the European market. Additionally, the company aims to integrate a chatbot feature into its platform by early 2025 to further enhance data management capabilities.