Netherlands Backs Water Innovation with €10 Million Investment in PureTerra Ventures

2026-01-15 green

Amsterdam, Friday, 16 January 2026.
Dutch government fund Invest-NL committed €10 million to PureTerra Ventures Fund II, targeting breakthrough water technologies addressing global water challenges. The investment aims to catalyze private funding for water startups developing treatment, purification, and management solutions. With less than 1% of Dutch surface water meeting European quality standards, this funding addresses critical water security needs while leveraging the Netherlands’ historical water management expertise for commercial innovation.

Strategic Investment in Water Technology Ecosystem

The €10 million investment announced by Invest-NL on January 14, 2026, marks a significant milestone in the Dutch government’s commitment to water innovation [1]. PureTerra Ventures, based in Amsterdam, represents the only fund in the Netherlands entirely focused on innovative water sector solutions [1]. The investment targets PureTerra Ventures Fund II, which aims to raise €150 million from public, private, and institutional investors to scale water technologies globally [4]. This funding follows the success of PureTerra’s first fund, which secured €73 million from investors including Orange Wings, the European Investment Fund, Invest-NL, a.s.r., and entrepreneurs, and has already invested in 14 water companies [4].

Addressing Critical Water Quality Challenges

The urgency driving this investment stems from alarming water quality statistics across Europe and the Netherlands specifically. Less than 1% of Dutch surface water currently meets European quality standards, highlighting the critical need for innovative water treatment solutions [1]. According to Invest-NL, the global water cycle faces mounting pressure from increasing water-related issues, drought, and pollution [1]. The water sector has historically suffered from structural underfunding, partly due to long development cycles and high capital requirements that make scaling challenging for entrepreneurs [6]. Stefanie Landman, senior investment manager at Invest-NL, emphasized that “specialized knowledge and active involvement are essential to successfully bring innovative water technologies to market” [1][6].

Focus on Industrial Water Solutions and Resource Recovery

PureTerra Ventures targets early-stage companies developing deep tech hardware and AI-driven software solutions for industrial water applications [4]. The fund specifically focuses on industrial water reuse and resource recovery technologies, including extraction of valuable materials such as lithium and phosphorus from wastewater streams [4]. Job van Schelven, Partner at PureTerra Ventures, noted that “water is no longer a given, but a strategic prerequisite for every industry” [4]. The fund invests globally in companies that make water use more efficient, cleaner, and safer across industrial sectors including energy, food, chemicals, and semiconductors [5]. When water availability limits operations or scaling, it quickly becomes a costly factor for businesses, creating market opportunities for water technology solutions [4].

Building Netherlands’ International Water Innovation Leadership

The investment strategy extends beyond domestic applications, positioning the Netherlands as a global hub for water innovation. PureTerra Ventures invests worldwide in innovative water companies with a strong focus on Europe and clear integration with the Dutch water ecosystem [1]. The fund contributes to strengthening the Dutch water sector by investing in water startups and scale-ups while guiding international water companies in establishing their presence in the Netherlands [1]. The initiative works closely with knowledge institutions, water companies, and industry partners to build a robust water innovation ecosystem [1]. Van Schelven highlighted that this development offers “a unique opportunity to make a positive impact on water quality and availability, while simultaneously providing significant economic potential” [4]. Through this investment, Invest-NL aims to stimulate additional private investments and help scale innovative solutions for water-related challenges across multiple industrial sectors [1].

Bronnen

venture capital water innovation