Water Unite Impact (WUI)

Name

Water Unite Impact (WUI)

Website

https://waterunite.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Impact Investing / Water and Sanitation (WASH) Financing

NAICS

Bottled Water Manufacturing (312112), Sewage Treatment Facilities (22132), Beverage Manufacturing (3121)

SIC

Water Supply (4941), Beverages (2080)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) (BPAGABAC), Bulk Bottled Water Production (Large Format, Home/Office Delivery) (AFAFACAH), Industrial Water Reuse Utilities (ZLD/MLD & Process Water Recycling) (EUANAGAG), Bottled Water (Still, Sparkling, Enhanced) (CRADAHAC)

Keywords

• Water sanitation hygiene
• Impact investing vehicle
• Micro-contribution funding
• Blended finance capital
• Circular economy investment

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Voluntary Micro-Contributions from Product Sales: Water Unite partners with retailers and brands who make voluntary micro-donations of approximately 1 cent per litre on bottled water and other applicable products sold. The donations are collected at point of sale and channelled into Water Unite's global fund for clean water, sanitation, and waste management. The Co-op UK pioneered this model with a micro levy on branded water and selected soft drinks since 2017. Carlsberg Britvic (via Aqua Libra), Harry Brompton's Iced Tea, Elior UK, and Get More Vits have joined this model.
2. Water Unite Impact Investment Vehicle: Water Unite Impact is an investment vehicle managed by Wellers Impact with a planned capitalisation of US$100 million. It deploys blended finance combining cornerstone investor capital (Water Unite, The One Foundation) raised through micro-contributions, with institutional capital, into water and circular economy SMEs. The vehicle generates market-rate risk-adjusted returns for investors while delivering measurable social and environmental impact.
3. Foundational / Administrative Funding: Set-up and administration costs are supported by The Rockefeller Foundation, The Stone Family Foundation, and The Co-operative UK. A portion of the micro-donations collected is allocated annually to cover running costs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Water Unite Impact (WUI) operates a voluntary micro-contribution model in which partner retailers and brands donate approximately 1 cent (or 1p) per litre on bottled water and selected beverages sold, channelling proceeds to clean water, sanitation, hygiene, and plastic-recycling projects in developing countries. Alongside this, the Water Unite Impact investment vehicle (managed in partnership with Wellers Impact) deploys catalytic blended finance into water, sanitation, and circular economy SMEs across the Global South under a five-pillar Water+ Thesis, using a first-loss capital structure to attract institutional investment.

Product overview

Water Unite Impact (WUI) operates as a dual-purpose organization combining a micro-contribution model with an impact investment vehicle. The core micro-contribution model enables partner brands (Co-op, Carlsberg Britvic, Elior, Harry Brompton's, Get More Vits) to donate ~1 cent per litre of beverages sold, with funds supporting WASH projects. The Water Unite Impact investment vehicle, developed in partnership with Wellers Impact (FCA-regulated), deploys this catalytic capital into water, sanitation, and circular economy SMEs globally through a blended finance structure aligned with the Water+ Investment Thesis's five pillars.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Water Unite Impact: The impact investment vehicle developed in partnership between nonprofit Water Unite and Wellers Impact, investing in private sector water SMEs globally to transform lives and communities whilst generating risk-adjusted, market-rate returns for investors.

Products and services

• Water Unite Micro-Contribution Programme Voluntary micro-contribution mechanism under which partner brands and retailers (Co-op, Carlsberg Britvic via Aqua Libra, Elior UK, Harry Brompton's Iced Tea, Get More Vits) donate approximately 1 cent (or 1p) per litre of bottled water and selected beverages sold, with funds directed to clean water, sanitation, hygiene, and recycling projects in developing countries.
• Water Unite Impact Investment Vehicle An FCA-aligned impact investment fund, managed in partnership with Wellers Impact, that deploys catalytic capital (planned capitalisation of US$100 million) into water, sanitation, hygiene, and circular economy SMEs in emerging markets using a blended finance / first-loss structure.
• Accor Sustainability Innovation Program (water focus) A multi-year, structured programme co-designed with global hospitality group Accor to embed water-stewardship and circular-economy initiatives across selected hotels in Accor's portfolio, leveraging Water Unite's expertise and the Water+ framework.

Quantifiable outcome

• Water Unite aims to raise US$100-200 million in the first 2 years, potentially billions over 10-15 years, targeting an end to water poverty and significant reduction in plastic pollution by 2030.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AccorcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2026Water Unite and Accor, a world-leading hospitality group, announced a global five-year Sustainability Innovation Program partnership. Water Unite will work with Accor to design and deliver the program's initial focus on water across selected hotels within Accor's portfolio. The programme follows a structured four-phase approach and was announced ahead of the UN Water Conference in 2026.
• Harry Brompton's Iced TeacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 24 March 2026British ice tea brand Harry Brompton's joined Water Unite as a partner in 2026, donating 1p per litre of beverages sold in Co-op stores. Harry Brompton's teas are sourced from Kenya, aligning with Water Unite's mission in the communities it serves. Donations support enterprises such as Mr. Green Africa, addressing plastic pollution and its impact on water access.
• Get More VitsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 11 January 2024Get More Vits, the UK's number one selling Vitamin drink, joined Water Unite's voluntary micro-contribution initiative in January 2024. Get More Vits donates for each bottle sold in Co-op stores, with proceeds funding water programmes across Africa and Asia.
• Elior UKcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 10 October 2019Elior UK joined Water Unite in 2019 to combat plastics pollution. Elior committed to the micro-contribution model alongside Co-op, supporting clean water and sanitation projects alongside plastic waste reduction. Elior represents the foodservice and contract catering sector within Water Unite's partner network.
• The Co-operative UK (Co-op)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCo-op UK was the pioneer partner, signing a Partnership Compact in April 2017 — the first company to join Water Unite. Co-op applies a micro levy of 1 penny per litre on all branded water and selected soft drinks sold across its ~2,600 UK stores. Co-op has partnered with Water Unite since 2017. Since 2020, alongside Carlsberg Britvic, over £660,000 has been raised. Co-op has committed to water security at home and overseas, providing funding via a micro levy to tackle water poverty and plastic pollution in the Global South.
• Carlsberg BritviccoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCarlsberg Britvic, a leading beverage supplier, has partnered with Water Unite for five years advancing water security in underserved communities. Through its Aqua Libra brand, Carlsberg Britvic donates 1p per litre of canned drinks sold in Co-op stores (including infused variants and still/sparkling water). Over £660,000 has been raised together since 2020.
• Wellers ImpactcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWater Unite Impact is an investment vehicle developed in partnership between Water Unite and Wellers Impact, an FCA-regulated impact investment manager headquartered in London with an office in Nairobi, Kenya. Wellers Impact provides the infrastructure of back-office support (legal, finance, investment management) and manages the Water Unite Impact fund, enabling the 10x amplification of partner contributions through blended finance.
• JibucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJibu is a Water Unite Impact investee operating a decentralised water franchise network delivering clean drinking water across East Africa (Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Burundi, DR Congo). Water Unite Impact invested USD 500,000 in Jibu. In 2024, Jibu distributed over 170 million litres of safe drinking water to over 631,000 people. Jibu operates 160 water production and distribution franchises with ~8,500 retail points.
• Mr. Green Africa (MGA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMr. Green Africa is a Water Unite Impact investee and Kenyan plastics recycling pioneer. MGA integrates and strengthens a localised circular economy by collecting plastic waste from urban environments and waterways, formalising the supply chain while creating jobs. Water Unite Impact joined a funding round alongside DOB Equity and Global Innovation Fund. In 2024, MGA processed over 4,600 tonnes of plastic waste and supported over 2,000 wastepreneurs.
• SanivationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSanivation is the first investee of Water Unite Impact (announced March 2021). The Kenyan sanitation developer designs, builds, and operates faecal sludge treatment plants that transform waste into biomass fuels. Over 70% of human waste is not treated in Africa; Sanivation turns this into a profit generator, creating local employment and preventing environmental pollution.
• GREE EnergycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGREE Energy is a Water Unite Impact investee that decarbonises food processors in developing countries by transforming their wastewater into biogas. Water Unite Impact made a pre-Series A investment to support GREE Energy's mission. In Indonesia alone, 1,350 primary food processors generate more water pollution than a population of 185 million. GREE Energy has committed to reducing 12 million tons of CO2eq per year by 2030.
• SeabexcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeabex is a Water Unite Impact investee — an agri-tech startup pioneering AI and sensorless technology for precision irrigation. Water Unite Impact led Seabex's seed funding round in June 2024 with participation from Mercy Corps Ventures, Digital Africa, and strategic business angels. Seabex manages over 50,000 hectares in Tunisia and France, reducing water consumption by 30% and increasing crop yields by 20% on average.
• FloceanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWater Unite Impact invested in Flocean, a Norwegian subsea desalination company pioneering sustainable freshwater production. The investment forms part of Flocean's extended $22.5 million (NOK 235 million) Series A round, which also includes Xylem Inc. (NYSE: XYL), Burnt Island Ventures, Freebird Capital, Katapult Ocean, and Nysnø Climate Investments.
• Pack2Zero (formerly E6PR)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPack2Zero is a Water Unite Impact investee — a pioneer in high-performance sustainable packaging. Water Unite Impact co-led a $5.7 million funding round in April 2025 alongside Anteris Capital and Rumbo Ventures. Pack2Zero develops zero-waste, high-standard packaging solutions to replace single-use plastics.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Water.org: International WASH nonprofit co-founded by Gary White and Matt Damon that uses market-based financing (WaterCredit) to deliver water and sanitation access. Comparable mission and emerging-market focus, and the most direct functional peer to Water Unite's market-based, impact-investing approach to WASH.
• charity: water: US-based nonprofit funding clean water access in developing countries through donor-funded project financing. Comparable WASH focus and emerging-markets portfolio, with a different funding model (donor-driven grants vs. Water Unite's product micro-contributions and blended finance).
• WaterAid: Global nonprofit focused exclusively on water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) access in low-income countries. Closely comparable to Water Unite's WASH mission and SDG 6 orientation, though WaterAid relies primarily on traditional fundraising rather than a micro-contribution/blended-finance model.
• Novastar Ventures: East Africa-focused venture capital firm backing early-stage businesses serving low-income consumers, with explicit WASH and clean-energy exposure. Closely comparable to Water Unite Impact on geography, stage, and impact-investing mandate.
• WaterEquity: Impact investment manager exclusively focused on water and sanitation access in emerging markets. Highly comparable to Water Unite Impact on mandate, blended-finance architecture, and emerging-market WASH SMEs.

Broad incumbents

• Acumen: Pioneer impact investor deploying patient capital into early-stage companies serving low-income customers, with water/sanitation and agriculture exposure. Directly comparable to Water Unite Impact's blended-finance investment vehicle and 'missing middle' thesis, though Acumen operates across multiple sectors and geographies.
• Closed Loop Partners: Investment firm building the circular economy through funds focused on recycling, reuse, and sustainable packaging. Comparable on the plastics-circularity pillar of Water Unite's Water+ Thesis (e.g., Pack2Zero, Mr. Green Africa), though broader in scope.
• The One Foundation: Irish-impact foundation funding clean water and sanitation programmes globally; cornerstone investor in Water Unite Impact. Comparable mission and WASH focus, though structured as a grant-making foundation rather than an investment vehicle.

Emerging players

• Imagine H2O: Global water-focused innovation accelerator supporting entrepreneurs solving water challenges. Comparable focus on water-specific impact investing and emerging-market SMEs, including portfolio overlap areas such as desalination and irrigation.

Others

• Wellers Impact: FCA-regulated impact investment manager that designs, manages, and operates Water Unite Impact. Highly relevant as the operational co-architect and a service provider comparable to other specialist emerging-market impact fund managers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/waterunite
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/waterunite

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments3 records

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

Frequently asked questions about Water Unite Impact (WUI)