Água Camelo

What Água Camelo does

Água Camelo is a Brazilian social-environmental impact startup, founded in 2016 and headquartered in Rio de Janeiro, that designs, deploys, and operates portable and community-scale water filtration systems for populations without access to treated water infrastructure. The company targets three primary beneficiary segments — indigenous communities in the Amazon (Yanomami, Sateré Mawé, Huni Kuin, Yawanawá), favela residents in Rio de Janeiro and Belo Horizonte, and communities in Brazil's semi-arid Northeast — and claims active operational presence across 22 Brazilian states with 52,500+ lives impacted. End beneficiaries do not pay for the service; projects are designed and executed by Água Camelo's 23-person team and funded entirely by third-party corporate, NGO, and government partners, making the operating model B2B2C in structure.

The product portfolio centers on the Kit Camelo portable household filtration kit (99.9% removal of bacteria, protozoa, and suspended particles, electricity-free operation), the Central Camelo community-scale system (1,000–20,000 liters per hour, additionally filtering viruses), the Totem de Água com Wi-Fi (community water distribution point bundled with free connectivity, first installed in Complexo do Alemão), and Pontos de Distribuição de Água. Service delivery is governed by a codified 5-step methodology — Preliminary Study, Education (WASH workshops), Implementation, Monitoring, and Results Delivery — that bundles technology provision with community training and ongoing data collection, positioning the offering as an integrated solution rather than a hardware sale. Trademarks are registered for Kit Camelo and Central Camelo product brands.

Revenue mechanics are fee-for-service project delivery rather than product resale; pricing is not publicly disclosed. The customer base spans major corporates (Ambev/Água AMA, Coca-Cola, Nestlé, Amazon, Diageo, Opella, Conasa, MRN, Biosaneamento, ALLOS, Flamengo, Vibra Open Air, Osklen + Instituto E, Grupo Aço Cearense, ABN Amro), international NGOs (UNICEF, WWF, USAID, Plan International, Humanitas 360, Instituto Phi, Instituto Alok), and government agencies (FUNAI, DSEI). The go-to-market combines enterprise field sales to ESG and CSR budget holders, community-led growth through trusted partner organizations (CUFA, Gerando Falcões, Coletivo Papo Reto, FAS, Associação Paiter Suruí, Saúde e Alegria), and event-driven visibility through participation in the UN Water Conference 2023 and World Water Forum 2024. Emergency humanitarian deployments (Yanomami crisis 2023, Rio Grande do Sul floods 2024) constitute a third, increasingly important revenue stream.

Name

Água Camelo

Legal name

Água Camelo

Website

https://aguacamelo.com.br

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Água Camelo is a Rio de Janeiro-based social impact startup that deploys proprietary water filtration systems and a 5-step implementation methodology to deliver clean drinking water access to indigenous, favela, and semi-arid communities across 22 Brazilian states, funded by corporate ESG and NGO partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social-Impact Water Access Services

NAICS

Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (221310), Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (22131), Administration of Air and Water Resource and Solid Waste Management Programs (924110)

SIC

Water Supply (4941), Sanitary Services (4950)

akta.pro primary industry

Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) (BPAGABAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Water Supply & Wastewater Utilities Administration (BPAIACAG), Water Resources Administration (Watersheds, Rivers, Groundwater) (BPAIAMAE), Nature & Biodiversity Reporting (TNFD, natural capital) (EUAHAJAM)

Keywords

• Portable water filtration
• Social impact water access
• Emergency humanitarian response
• Clean water infrastructure
• Corporate impact projects

Headquarters

HQ city

Rio de Janeiro

HQ country

Brazil

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Corporate Impact Projects: Companies and organizations fund Água Camelo to implement water access projects in communities aligned with their ESG, sustainability, or social impact goals. Projects are custom-designed per client specifications and funded entirely by the client. Services include technology provision, installation, training, and monitoring.
2. NGO and Government Project Funding: International organizations, foundations, and government agencies provide funding for water access projects in vulnerable communities. Água Camelo serves as the implementing partner, delivering filtration technology and project management.
3. Emergency Response Services: Rapid deployment of water filtration solutions during humanitarian crises, such as the Yanomami crisis and Rio Grande do Sul flooding. Funded by government emergency response funds or humanitarian organizations.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Água Camelo is a Brazilian social-environmental impact startup that designs, supplies, and implements portable and community-scale water filtration technology (Kit Camelo, Central Camelo, and Totem Camelo) for vulnerable populations lacking access to treated water. The company delivers projects through a proprietary 5-step methodology (preliminary study, WASH education, installation, monitoring, impact assessment) funded entirely by corporate and institutional clients (Ambev, Coca-Cola, Nestlé, UNICEF, USAID, WWF) on behalf of indigenous, favela, and semi-arid communities across 22 Brazilian states. It also provides rapid emergency water access response during humanitarian crises such as the Yanomami crisis and the 2024 Rio Grande do Sul floods.

Product overview

Água Camelo is a social impact startup that provides water access solutions through a portfolio of proprietary filtration products and service methodologies. The core offerings consist of the Kit Camelo (portable household filtration unit filtering 99.9% of bacteria, protozoa, and suspended particles) and the Central Camelo (high-capacity community systems with 1,000–20,000 L/h flow rates filtering bacteria, protozoa, suspended particles, and viruses), complemented by Totem installations combining water access with connectivity. These products are delivered through a 5-step service methodology encompassing preliminary study, education/WASH training, implementation, monitoring, and impact assessment. The company also offers emergency response services for humanitarian crises and technology supply services for partners. Solutions target vulnerable populations in the Amazon, favelas, and semi-arid regions across 22 Brazilian states.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Kit Camelo Portable water filtration kit for individual households addressing four stages (water capture, transport, storage, and filtration). Filters 99.9% of bacteria, protozoa, and suspended particles; simple to use and requires no electricity.
• Central Camelo High-capacity community water filtration system for schools, clinics, and communal distribution points. Filters 99.9% of bacteria, protozoa, suspended particles, and viruses; available in flow rates from 1,000 to 20,000 liters per hour.
• Totem de Água com Wi-Fi (Totem Camelo) Community water distribution point combining water filtration with free Wi-Fi connectivity to deliver clean water access and digital inclusion. First deployed in Complexo do Alemão favela, Rio de Janeiro.
• Fornecimento de Tecnologia (Technology Supply Service) Provision of Água Camelo's proprietary filtration technologies (Kit Camelo, Central Camelo) to corporate and institutional clients and partners for implementation in water access projects targeting vulnerable communities.
• Serviço em 5 Etapas (5-Step Implementation Methodology) Structured five-step project methodology: (1) Preliminary Study (local diagnosis and partnership preparation), (2) Education (WASH workshops and technology training), (3) Implementation (installation of filtration technologies at strategic community points), (4) Monitoring (ongoing data collection with local leadership), and (5) Results Delivery (social, environmental, and health impact assessment).
• Atuação Emergencial (Emergency Response Service) Rapid deployment of water filtration solutions during humanitarian crises (Yanomami crisis, Rio Grande do Sul flooding), delivering immediate access to potable water and basic sanitation services supported by emergency-response funding.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99.9% filtration of bacteria and protozoans; Central Camelo additionally filters viruses
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers22 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Instituto AlokflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2024Co-development partner for the 'Água de Beber' project across six Northeast Brazil states in 2024. Instituto Alok, founded by DJ and activist Alok, partnered with Água Camelo to deploy 20 water distribution points during São João festivals, impacting over 30,000 people in 21 cities.
• ALLOS (Boulevard Shopping BH)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2024Co-development partner for the 'Água do Bem' project in Sumaré community, Belo Horizonte. ALLOS leveraged its shopping center infrastructure (installing a freezer for water bottle sales) and customer reach to fundraise over 1,200 bottles sold, financing the Central Camelo installation. Project directly benefited 5,000+ people.
• CUFA (Central Única das Favelas)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCUFA is a key implementation and community partner, providing grassroots network access across Brazilian favelas. Partners on projects including the Sumaré 'Água do Bem' initiative (with CUFA Minas) and Yanomami emergency response. CUFA's community trust and organizational reach complement Água Camelo's technology.
• Coletivo Papo RetocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization partner in Complexo do Alemão, Rio de Janeiro. Partnered on the installation of the first water totem with Wi-Fi in a Brazilian favela, supporting grassroots coordination and community engagement.
• Gerando FalcõescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFavela leadership organization and community partner providing network access and trust relationships in Brazilian peripheral communities. Supports implementation and community adoption of water access technologies.
• FAS (Fundação Amazonas Sustentável)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmazon sustainability foundation providing local expertise, indigenous community relationships, and implementation support for water access projects in Amazonas state.
• FUNAI (Fundação Nacional dos Povos Indígenas)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBrazilian federal indigenous affairs agency providing official authorization, coordination, and support for water access projects in indigenous territories including the Yanomami intervention.
• DSEI (Distrito de Saúde Indígena)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFederal indigenous health district providing healthcare infrastructure, local coordination, and health data for water access projects in indigenous communities. Partner on Sateré Mawé project.
• Pacto Global Rede BrasilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrazilian network of the UN Global Compact, connecting companies committed to sustainable development. Supports Água Camelo's network expansion and corporate partnership development.
• Catalyst 2030minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal association of social entrepreneurs working to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Supports Água Camelo's impact measurement and scaling strategy.
• Gerando FalcõescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFavela leadership organization and community partner providing network access and trust relationships in Brazilian peripheral communities. Supports implementation and community adoption of water access technologies.
• YunusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial business organization founded by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus, supporting social entrepreneurship initiatives with methodology and network access.
• QuintessaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch and consulting organization supporting social innovation and impact measurement projects.
• Entre o Céu e a FavelaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization working at the intersection of favela communities and social services, providing local implementation support.
• Favela HoldingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFavela-focused business ecosystem organization providing network access and community coordination for favela-based projects.
• ASCYminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization supporting social and cultural projects, providing implementation and community engagement support.
• Conexão Povos da FlorestaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization connecting and supporting forest communities, providing indigenous community relationships and cultural expertise for Amazon-based projects.
• Saúde e AlegriaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealth and community organization supporting water access and healthcare projects in Amazon communities.
• Associação Paiter SuruíminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndigenous association of the Paiter Suruí people providing local leadership, cultural guidance, and community coordination for indigenous territory projects.
• BrechaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization supporting social impact initiatives, providing project development and implementation support.
• Ev e Saraiva AdvogadosminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLegal advisory firm providing pro bono or subsidized legal support for organizational, regulatory, and contractual matters.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• WaterAid: Global WASH-focused NGO implementing water access and sanitation projects in vulnerable communities worldwide. Closely comparable to Água Camelo's mission, target population profile, and reliance on institutional and corporate funding.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aguacamelo
• Instagraminstagram.com/agua_camelo
• TikToktiktok.com/@agua_camelo

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

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Água Camelo