What Madeblue does

Made Blue Foundation is a Dutch non-profit foundation (ANBI-stichting) founded in 2014 and headquartered in Leusden, Netherlands, with a mission to provide clean drinking water in developing countries. It operates an ambassador-based model in which over 500 corporate partners — including Samsung, L'Oréal, Quooker, Vebego, Vreugdenhil Dairy Foods, Hoogwegt Group, and Koffiepartners — donate to water projects through the 'One Liter for One Liter' programme, paying 35 cents per 1,000 liters of water consumed or saved (23 cents above 25 million liters), with hotels paying 5 cents per 100 liters and restaurants paying 25 cents per 0.7L bottle served. The foundation reports a minimum 90% pass-through to projects and has realized 24.7 billion liters of clean water reaching 338,931 people across Uganda, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, Senegal, Bangladesh, and Nepal, in collaboration with implementation partners World Vision, Amref Health Africa, and WaterAid.

The core product portfolio consists of tap-water coolers and dispensers (filtered, chilled, sparkling), reusable Tritan and aluminium bottles under the 'Bottle Made Blue' line, hospitality glassware (standard and custom-logo), CO2 cylinders, bottle caps, dishwasher racks, and pre-packaged water products, sold through the shop.madeblue.org e-commerce site. Underlying technology is primarily physical — solar-powered boreholes, water filtration systems, and real-time meter reading infrastructure for tracking liters donated — with no disclosed AI/ML, API, or software platform components. Auxiliary services include custom communication materials, impact reports, certificates, and ESG reporting toolkits for ambassadors.

The go-to-market combines community-led ambassador acquisition, direct enterprise sales to hotels, restaurants, and offices, and event-driven engagement through project-site visits (e.g., Freetown, Sierra Leone trips with Hoogwegt and Vreugdenhil). Distribution is supported by a multilingual website (Dutch, English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese), active social channels (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn), monthly newsletters, and an ambassador content hub with impact animations and Canva templates. Co-founder Frank van der Tang leads a small 1-10 person team, reflecting a deliberately lean operating model that channels the majority of donations directly to WASH (water, sanitation, hygiene) project implementation.

Name

Madeblue

Legal name

Made Blue Foundation

Website

https://madeblue.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Made Blue Foundation is a Dutch non-profit (founded 2014) operating an ambassador-based model where 500+ corporate partners donate to clean water projects in developing countries through the 'One Liter for One Liter' programme, supplemented by sales of water coolers, reusable bottles, and hospitality glassware.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Clean Water Access and Charitable Services

NAICS

Bottled Water Manufacturing (312112), Plastics Bottle Manufacturing (326160), Glass Container Manufacturing (327213)

SIC

Water Supply (4941), Beverages (2080)

akta.pro primary industry

Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) Solutions (BPAGALAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

WASH (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene) Organizations (HLAJAKAI), Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) (BPAGABAC)

Keywords

• Clean drinking water access
• Corporate water donation programs
• Water filtration dispensers
• Water charity foundation
• Water offset ESG services

Headquarters

HQ city

Leusden

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Water Donation Program: Companies pay 35 cents per 1000 liters of water they use or save through the One Liter for One Liter program. For liters above 25 million, the rate is 23 cents. Hotels pay 5 cents per 100 liters. Restaurants donate 25 cents per 0.7L bottle served. 23 cents goes directly to water projects; remainder funds communication support.
2. Ambassador Membership Fees: Monthly ambassador contribution fee that covers access to communication materials, certificates, impact reports, and proactive communication support. Minimum commitment of 2,500,000 liters per year for business ambassadors (approximately 1000 euros).
3. Product Sales: Sale of water-related products including reusable water bottles (Bottle Made Blue), water coolers, glassware, CO2 cylinders, caps, and dishwasher racks through the Made Blue webshop.
4. Direct Donations: Individual donations accepted, with 35 cents providing 1000 liters of clean drinking water. Fiscaal aftrekbaar (tax-deductible) as ANBI stichting.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Made Blue Foundation is a Dutch charitable organization that provides clean drinking water in developing countries by partnering with 500+ corporate ambassadors (companies, hotels, restaurants, offices) who mirror their water consumption or savings through the 'One Liter for One Liter' program. The foundation also sells water coolers, reusable bottles, glassware, and accessories through its webshop, with proceeds funding WASH water projects in Africa and Asia via partners like World Vision, Amref, and WaterAid.

Product overview

Made Blue Foundation operates primarily as a charitable organization providing clean drinking water solutions rather than a traditional technology company. The product portfolio centers on water dispensers and coolers connected to tap water with filtration, chilling, and optional carbonation capabilities, serving as sustainable alternatives to packaged/spring water. The core offering includes reusable bottles (Bottle Made Blue in Tritan and Aluminium), glassware for hospitality, and accessories (CO2 cylinders, bottle caps, tags, and dishwasher racks). The organization differentiates through its 'One Liter for One Liter' programme where purchased water generates equivalent clean drinking water access in developing countries, implemented through over 500 ambassador companies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Water Coolers / Dispensers (Waterkoelers) Tap water coolers and dispensers that filter, chill, and optionally carbonate tap water, providing sustainable alternatives to packaged/spring water for hotels, restaurants, and offices.
• Bottle Made Blue (Tritan Bottle) Reusable, durable water bottle made of BPA-free Tritan plastic, providing 500 liters of clean drinking water for Made Blue's water projects. Made in the Netherlands and dishwasher safe, available with custom printing options.
• Aluminium Bottle Aluminium water bottle offered through the Made Blue shop as a sustainable reusable alternative to single-use plastic bottles.
• Standard Glassware (Standaard Glaswerk) Standard glassware for restaurants serving Made Blue filtered tap water.
• Custom Glassware with Logo (Glaswerk met logo) Custom printed glassware featuring restaurant or company logos for Made Blue water service.
• Carbon Dioxide Cylinders (Koolzuur cilinders) CO2 cylinders for carbonating water in Made Blue dispensers.
• Caps (Doppen) Caps for glass bottles used in the hospitality sector.
• Bottle Tags / Hangers (Flessenhangers) Tags and hangers for water bottles, including QR codes linking to Made Blue water projects.
• Dishwasher Racks (Vaatwaskorven) Dishwasher racks in various sizes (40x40cm, 50x50cm, 60x40cm) for restaurant glassware washing.
• One Liter for One Liter Programme A program where companies mirror their water consumption or water savings into equal liters of clean drinking water in developing countries at 35 cents per 1000 liters (with reduced rates above 25 million liters).
• Pre-packaged Water (Voorverpakt water) Pre-packaged water products available through ambassadors and restaurants.

Quantifiable outcome

• 24,741,950,458 liters of clean drinking water realized globally
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Vreugdenhil Dairy FoodscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Milk powder producer donating liters of water equal to what is extracted from milk in the Netherlands. 175 million liters donated annually. Also supplies milk powder for Sierra Leone school nutrition program.
• Hoogwegt GroupcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024International dairy trading company supporting Made Blue water projects. Co-funding Sierra Leone school water and nutrition project alongside Vreugdenhil and World Vision.
• World VisioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerImplementing partner for water projects in Sierra Leone and other locations. World Vision provides on-site coordination, construction, training and supervision for water infrastructure projects including boreholes, latrines, and water kiosks. They have decades of experience in WASH projects across Africa and Asia.
• Amref Health AfricacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading African health organization implementing water projects in Ethiopia. Collaborated on WASH at schools program providing clean drinking water, safe sanitation, and hygiene education at 20 schools.
• One Hundred RestroomscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWellness hub operator building innovative public toilets across Europe. Supports Made Blue with donations for every water tap installed, adding 2.5 million liters annually. Directly co-funding Sierra Leone health center project alongside We Are Water Foundation.
• CastalieminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFrench ambassador co-funding Ethiopia WASH at schools project. Contributed to fundraising for school water and sanitation facilities.
• WaterAidminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational NGO mentioned as experienced organization for water project implementation in developing countries.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Waterlogic: Commercial provider of filtered, purified, and chilled water dispensers for offices and hospitality. Comparable to Made Blue's water cooler business and its tap-water alternative to bottled water positioning.
• Castalie: French provider of microfiltered sparkling and still water systems for hospitality, replacing bottled water service. Listed as a Made Blue ambassador and directly comparable as a hospitality water-cooler player with sustainability positioning.
• Quooker: Dutch manufacturer of boiling-water and chilled/sparkling water taps that displace bottled water consumption. Listed as a Made Blue ambassador and directly comparable in offering tap-water-based alternatives to packaged water.

Broad incumbents

• World Vision: Large international humanitarian organization with extensive WASH programs. Listed as a Made Blue implementation partner; comparable in delivering water infrastructure projects in developing countries, though broader in scope.
• Amref Health Africa: Leading African health organization implementing WASH-in-schools programs. Core Made Blue implementation partner for Ethiopia and comparable as a regional WASH delivery organization with deep local presence.
• WaterAid: Large international NGO focused on water, sanitation and hygiene across Africa and Asia. A direct WASH peer and listed Made Blue partner; significantly larger in scale and geographic reach than Made Blue.

Direct peers

• charity: water: US-based non-profit focused exclusively on providing clean, safe drinking water to people in developing countries. Directly comparable to Made Blue in mission (WASH access), funding model (donor-funded), and donor experience design.
• Pump Aid: UK-based charity focused on sustainable clean water access in sub-Saharan Africa through pump-based solutions. Direct WASH mission peer with similar geographic focus (Malawi) and small-team operating model.
• Water.org: Global non-profit focused on water access and sanitation through market-driven financing solutions. Comparable in WASH mission and emphasis on sustainable, scalable funding mechanisms rather than traditional aid.
• We Are Water Foundation: Foundation of Roca Group that funds water and sanitation projects globally and is itself a Made Blue partner. Operates a similar WASH-grantmaking model and is directly comparable as a corporate-affiliated water foundation.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xfacebook.com/watermadeblue
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@MadeBlueFoundation
• Facebookfacebook.com/watermadeblue
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/made-blue
• Instagraminstagram.com/watermadeblue

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Madeblue