Arsenic's astounding antidote.
THEME
Water
Series A
STAGE
INVESTORS
TPG Rise Fund, Global Innovation Fund, Danone Communities
WEBSITE
The Macro
Today, over 500 million people are exposed to poisoned water in India and Bangladesh, due to high levels of arsenic and fluoride in their drinking water. Arsenic is highly poisonous, and long term exposure to it can result in cancer and skin lesions. In Bangladesh alone, close to 43,000 people die every year due to arsenic poisoning. From 2016 to 2021, arsenic contamination in water has increased by a staggering 143% in India. Unchecked arsenic levels in water are morphing into an unprecedented health and safety crisis, particularly for rural, low-income communities that cannot afford constant access to safe drinking water.
Sustainability Story
Drinkwell has built community-based systems to provide access to safe drinking water for rural communities in India and Bangladesh. The core of the system is Drinkwell's proprietary Hybrid-ion (HIX) resin that removes arsenic, fluoride and iron from water for contaminated water under 1,000 TDS. Drinkwell has now provided over 1 million liters of safe drinking water to 250,000 people, a massive impact for what is a universal necessity for every individual. The company has partnered with Unilever, USAID, DFID, TATA Trusts, Clinton Health Access Initiative and several other leading organizations. In November 2022, Drinkwell won the prestigious US Secretary of State's Award for Corporate Excellence, as the only company in the category of Climate Resilience.
Peak's Angle
Water is a sector that has always been out of the limelight, both from an entrepreneurship and investment perspective. Conversely, we've always been fascinated with water. The
We have always had a focus on this vertical. Hybrid ion resins are a more efficient and cost-effective solution than other alternatives. Resins are less energy intensive and also waste less water than conventional solutions like reverse osmosis.
Drinkwell water systems are easy to manage, and they also result in the generation of local employment
Drinkwell's water ATMs have RFID-enabled metered dispensing and money management systems. They have a cloud based water ATM system that helps in remote monitoring.
The system is far more efficient than reverse osmosis (RO)-based systems, with 99% water recovery in comparison to 40% water recovery, respectively. The entire system - including water ATMs, micro-entrepreneurs and microfinancing - is tech-enabled and locally operated, providing consistent water generation and local employment for communities that need it the most.
Founders
Minhaj Chowdhury
CEO of Drinkwell
Forbes Asia 30 Under 30
Fulbright Fellow