Connect the Drops

What Connect the Drops does

Connect the Drops is a privately held investment company headquartered in Gouda, The Netherlands (KvK 94091641), that specializes in deploying capital, strategic guidance, and ecosystem access into startups and scale-ups operating across the water sector. The company's stated mandate is to "connect people, networks, and technologies" in order to accelerate and scale meaningful water solutions, with explicit focus areas covering agricultural water, potable water, wastewater, and water management. The firm does not develop proprietary water technology; instead, it acts as a thematic water-sector investor and value-add partner, sourcing deals through an online application process and providing portfolio companies with industry connections, pilot and scale opportunities, and operational support beyond capital.

The company's active portfolio comprises four identified companies: FieldFactors, whose BlueBloqs nature-based system captures, treats, stores, and reuses rainwater to reduce potable water use and recharge aquifers; Pydro, which produces the self-powered PT1 wireless flow meter for real-time leak detection and pressure optimization in utility networks; Solaq, whose modular air-to-water technology generates 2,000 to 5,000 liters of distilled water per day in hot, dry climates lacking conventional water infrastructure; and Wavepiston, a Denmark-headquartered company (with a subsidiary in the Canary Islands) developing wave energy technology for renewable power production and desalination. Beyond direct portfolio holdings, Connect the Drops operates a broader ecosystem that includes at least one named mutual partner, Acacia Water.

Operationally, Connect the Drops is a small, founder-led firm with three identified team members: Jan Otto Ooms (Founder and CEO), Jacco Bosland (CFO), and Brenda van Kluijve (Controller). Revenue is generated through investment returns on equity stakes rather than fee-based asset management, and no public pricing, AUM, or fund-vehicle details are disclosed. Deal sourcing is conducted via a Google Forms-based online application reviewed internally, with no disclosed marketing channels beyond the company website. The firm is registered in the Netherlands and serves primarily European markets, with portfolio reach extending into Denmark and the Canary Islands.

Name

Connect the Drops

Legal name

Connect the Drops

Website

https://connectthedrops.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Connect the Drops is a Netherlands-based private investment company that deploys capital, strategic guidance, and ecosystem connections into water-sector startups and scale-ups across agricultural, potable, wastewater, and water management sub-sectors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Water Sector Venture Capital

NAICS

Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (221310)

SIC

Water Supply (4941)

akta.pro primary industry

Raw Water Conveyance & Transmission (Aqueducts, Mains, Pumping Stations) (EUANAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Digital Self-Service & Customer Portals (web/mobile, e-bill, notifications, consumption dashboards) (EUANAIAI)

Keywords

• Water sector investment
• Water technology venture capital
• Water innovation funding
• Water startup accelerator
• Impact investment platform

Headquarters

HQ city

Gouda

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Investment returns: As an investment company, Connect the Drops generates returns through equity investments in water technology startups and scale-ups. They provide capital along with strategic guidance, practical support, and access to their ecosystem to help innovations grow from early-stage to proven impact.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Connect the Drops is an investment company that provides capital, strategic guidance, and ecosystem access to water technology startups and scale-ups. The company focuses on connecting entrepreneurs with resources, networks, and expertise to scale water solutions across agricultural water, potable water, wastewater, and water management. Companies apply through an online intake form, after which the team reviews applications and follows up with promising candidates before providing investment plus strategic support and pilot/scale opportunities.

Product overview

Connect the Drops is an investment company focused on the water sector that operates a unified investment and partnership platform. The company connects water technology innovators with capital, strategic guidance, and ecosystem access. Their portfolio includes four portfolio companies: FieldFactors (rainwater harvesting via BlueBloqs), Pydro (self-powered water flow monitoring devices), Solaq (air-to-water generation systems), and Wavepiston (wave energy for desalination). The company focuses on water innovation across agricultural water, potable water, wastewater, and water management sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Connect the Drops Investment Platform Investment and partnership platform that provides capital, strategic guidance, and ecosystem access to water technology startups and scale-ups. Companies apply through an online intake form, the team reviews applications, and selected candidates receive investment along with strategic support, industry connections, and pilot/scale opportunities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Accelerated growth from pilot to city-scale impact for portfolio companies

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• FieldFactorscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFieldFactors is in Connect the Drops' portfolio/network. Their BlueBloqs technology is a smart, nature-based system that captures, treats, stores, and reuses rainwater to reduce potable use, prevent flooding, and recharge aquifers. Connect the Drops describes themselves as more than an investor - a mission-aligned partner helping FieldFactors move faster from pilot to city-scale impact.
• PydrocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPydro enhances water network efficiency with self-powered, wireless flow meters (PT1 device) that monitor flow, pressure, and temperature in real time. Their technology uses hydro energy to operate without external power and transmits data via mobile network.
• SolaqcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSolaq creates sustainable water from air using modular technology that delivers fixed, constant, zero-waste output even in hot, dry climates. Containerised systems produce 2000 and 5000 liters per day, providing pure distilled water where there is no water source or infrastructure.
• WavepistoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWavepiston, based in Denmark with a subsidiary in the Canary Islands, is on a mission to make wave energy integral to the renewable energy transition. They focus on power production and desalination solutions for global water security.
• Acacia WaterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcacia Water is part of the Connect the Drops ecosystem. CEO Arjen de Vries stated that the ideas and knowledge within the Connect the Drops ecosystem can make a difference in availability of fresh water, and together they join forces to pursue shared ambitions for a water-secure world.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• XPV Water Partners: Water-focused growth equity firm backing established water-technology companies globally. Direct peer in pure-play water investing, though operating at later-stage and larger fund size than Connect the Drops.
• PureTerra Ventures: Water-focused venture fund investing in early- and growth-stage water-technology companies. Closely comparable to Connect the Drops as a dedicated water VC with early-stage orientation and similar thesis.
• Burnt Island Ventures: Early-stage venture fund focused exclusively on water-technology startups. Highly comparable to Connect the Drops in fund size, stage focus, and water-only investment thesis.
• WaterEquity: Impact investment firm exclusively focused on water and sanitation in emerging markets. Directly comparable to Connect the Drops as a mission-driven water investment platform deploying capital with strategic support to water enterprises.
• Imagine H2O: Water innovation accelerator and investor connecting startups with utilities, corporates, and capital. Directly comparable ecosystem-building model serving early-stage water ventures.

Broad incumbents

• Brookfield Asset Management: Large alternative asset manager with a renewable and water infrastructure platform. Provides context for the scale of incumbent capital targeting water, contrasting with Connect the Drops' venture-stage approach.
• KKR Global Infrastructure: Major alternative asset manager with a global infrastructure platform that includes water and utilities. Represents the scale of incumbent capital flowing into water opportunities, contrasting with Connect the Drops' early-stage focus.

Emerging players

• 2150: European venture fund investing in sustainable urban technologies, including water and built-environment solutions. Adjacent peer with thematic overlap but a broader urban-tech mandate.
• Aqua-Spark: Netherlands-based impact investor focused on sustainable aquaculture and water. Same-country water-impact investor with portfolio approach, partially overlapping with Connect the Drops' agricultural water thesis.
• WaterStart: Water-technology accelerator connecting startups with utilities and corporate partners. Comparable ecosystem-building model serving water-tech commercialization.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/connect-the-drops

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments2 records

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

Frequently asked questions about Connect the Drops