Cofunded by the European Union

In January 2026, the European Partnership Water4All organised a series of three online train-the-trainer masterclasses focused on sharing best practices for startup support in the water sector. 
 

The masterclasses were organised by Water Alliance and were specifically designed for startup support organisations working with water-related entrepreneurs.

The sessions brought together a diverse international audience and were delivered online and recorded, ensuring wide accessibility and long-term use of the materials.

Key highlights of the masterclasses

The main objective of the masterclasses was to enable startup support organisations to learn from proven approaches and apply these insights in their own incubation and acceleration programmes. Each masterclass focused on a key phase in supporting water startups and showcased a concrete best practice:

Masterclass 1 – Problem–Solution Fit

Best practice presented: WaterCampus Business Challenge

  • This session addressed the different stages of the development of a startup and how startup support organisations can help the entrepreneurs undertake the best steps to bring their organisations to the next level. Focusing on the right real market problems, engage early users and validate solutions through close interaction with end-users and problem owners.

Masterclass 2 – Market–Solution Fit
 

Best practice presented: Global Water Awards, with startup Salinity Solutions

  • The session focused on supporting startups in market positioning, international visibility and market entry, using awards and sector platforms as instruments for growth. Together we made an overview of all the different water awards that are available for the companies globally.

Masterclass 3 – Investor Readiness

Best practice presented: TechTours, with startup Desolenator

  • This masterclass explored how startup support organisations can prepare water startups for investment, including pitching, investor engagement and scaling strategies.

Participants and international reach

The masterclasses attracted 124 registered participants from Europe, Africa and Asia (see the map), reflecting the global relevance of water entrepreneurship. Participants represented a broad mix of organisations, including startup support organisations, startups and scale-ups, universities and research institutes, water utilities, public authorities, non-governmental organisations and investors.

This diversity enabled rich discussions and peer learning across different regional and institutional contexts. Active participation rates ranged from 26% to 34% across the three sessions, underlining strong engagement from the international startup support community.

What to remember

The Water4All masterclasses demonstrated the value of structured best-practice exchange for strengthening startup support in the water sector. By combining practical methodologies with real-life examples from established programmes, the sessions supported capacity building among organisations that play a key role in bringing water innovations to the market.

Organisations with strong examples of startup support in the water sector are invited to contact the Water4All partners to explore the possibility of organising a comparable webinar and sharing their best practice with the wider community.

 All masterclass recordings and materials are available: link here

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The Water4All Partnership - Water Security for the Planet - is a funding programme for scientific research in freshwater. It aims to tackle water challenges to face climate change, help to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and boost the EU’s competitiveness and growth.

It is co-funded by the European Union within the frame of the Horizon Europe programme (a key funding programme for research and innovation). The Partnership duration is for seven years from 2022.

The Water4All objective is to enable water security at a large scale and in the long term. Its goal is also to tackle water issues in a holistic frame. 

All forms of life on earth need water. All human activities operate with this resource. Water is part of our everyday life. It is also integrated within urban and countryside landscapes. It is one of the most valuable elements we share with plants and animals.

These simple facts must be kept in mind to understand the Water4All ambition.

This resource is weakened in many places due to climate changes, and human habits. We know that we can improve the way we use water. Everyone has a role to play and especially the scientific research community.

Scientific research is the heart of the Partnership as It is a powerful tool to improve knowledge on preserving, restoring, and managing this essential resource. 

International cooperation is also needed as water has no borders on Earth and runs from one country to another.

Water4All brings together a broad and cohesive group of 90 partners from 33 countries in the European Union and beyond. This consortium gathers partners from the whole water Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) chain.