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International water technology startups to convene in Milwaukee

In Business Madison
By In Business Madison
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The Water Council, headquartered in Milwaukee, has selected 10 water technology startups from six countries for the 2025 BREW 2.0 Post-Accelerator, a program designed to support market-ready water tech companies with targeted training, global networking, and investor connections.

This year’s cohort was chosen from a record 19 countries and includes the program’s first participants from Brazil. The selected companies, from the U.S., Canada, Netherlands, U.K., Spain, and Brazil, will participate in virtual training before gathering in Milwaukee for an in-person event on June 19. This year’s BREW Showcase will feature a new interactive format with a mix of pitches and exhibits.

The Water Council’s BREW 2.0 program, sponsored by Beckhoff Automation and Xylem with programmatic support from Thales Water Advisors, focuses on accelerating companies tackling critical water challenges. The selected startups are positioned for growth and scale, addressing issues related to water quality, conservation, and sustainable water management.

The 2025 BREW 2.0 Cohort includes:

  • Aquapower (Brazil) — Installs hydro turbines in water pipes to convert excess pressure into electricity;

  • BIOBOX (Spain) — Offers nitrate bioremediation with no waste and minimal operational costs;

  • Conatus Ambiental (Brazil) — Uses AI and the internet of things to optimize water treatment, reducing chemical use and improving quality;

  • Desolenator (Netherlands) — Develops solar-powered desalination technology for industries such as food and energy;

  • Green Steel Environmental (U.S.) — Upcycles industrial byproducts to capture nutrients for fertilizer use;

  • Legacy Watercare Innovations (Canada) — Patented a membrane-free water clarification system for improved filtration;

  • sum. (U.S.) — Creates personalized, waste-free beverages from smart fountains in fitness studios;

  • WASE (U.K.) — Maximizes biogas generation from wastewater and bio-residues for energy production;

  • Watergate (U.K.) — Developed Sonic, an AI-powered smart valve for instant leak detection and behavior change; and

  • Weaver Labs (U.S.) — Addresses PFAS contamination with its patented Fluor-Mop technology.

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