Waterhub, an Indonesian startup that uses innovative filtration systems to provide clean, affordable drinking water, has secured an undisclosed amount in seed funding.
The round was led by Archipelago VC, with participation from The Radical Fund.
The company plans to use the money to scale its operations and address the archipelago’s severe water access challenges and wider environmental concerns across Southeast Asia.
Also Read: How The Radical Fund discovers, backs, spearheads climate-resilient ventures in SEA
Indonesia faces a significant public health and environmental challenge, with 192 million Indonesians lacking reliable access to clean drinking water and 14 million still without proper sanitation. This widespread issue compels communities to rely heavily on single-use bottled water, contributing to a nearly US$10 billion annual industry that exacerbates plastic pollution and carbon emissions.
The problem extends regionally, as Southeast Asia is projected to experience a 40 per cent shortfall between water supply and demand by 2030. The current water infrastructure in the region is often ageing and centralised, and it cannot cope with rapid urban growth, industrial expansion, and volatile rainfall patterns.
Waterhub tackles this crisis head-on by deploying a network of water dispensers and large-volume water filtration systems. These units can transform various sources, including municipal water, rainwater, groundwater, and even seawater, into safe drinking water. By eliminating the need for plastic packaging and reducing transportation requirements, Waterhub offers an environmentally and economically sustainable alternative to conventional bottled water.
Since its launch in 2024, Waterhub claims to have deployed 36 filtration units, comprising 32 “Communal” dispensers and 4 “Heavy Duty” systems for major clients in sectors such as fitness, food & beverage, and hospitality. The company plans to install over 100 more units in 2025 and reach 2,000 by 2029.
Waterhub’s business model includes pay-per-use and subscription options, delivering affordable, high-margin water solutions. Each unit incorporates advanced reverse osmosis, IoT monitoring, and optional app-based payments.
The company’s projected impact is substantial: in 2025 alone, Waterhub expects to filter over 21 million litres of water, preventing millions of single-use bottles from entering the environment. By 2029, projections indicate the prevention of more than 16,500 tonnes of plastic waste and savings of over 300,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions.
Also Read: Funding the green transition: Southeast Asia’s climate tech leaders of 2024
Archipelago VC’s Managing Partner Nicolo Castiglione stated: “Clean and affordable water is a fundamental right. Waterhub’s scalable model addresses both climate and public health challenges, and their rapid traction proves this isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s also the smart thing to do.”
Archipelago VC focuses on impact-driven early-stage Indonesian businesses and regional startups, prioritising waste recovery, CO₂ reduction, and income improvement for low-income communities.
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