About the water venture studio
Impact X Capital Partners is pleased to be joining forces with Microsoft and Spring Innovation to help the UK’s
water industry innovate solutions to some of its greatest opportunities. We are launching a Venture Studio to
bring an innovative cohort of diverse and diverse founders to the water sector.
“Spring is excited to be representing the UK and Ireland water sector in this exciting collaboration with
Microsoft Venture and Impact X. We hope that the Impact X-Venture Studio in partnership with Microsoft
illustrates
the water companies’ commitment to engaging and supporting start-up innovators and will drive increased
representation of start-up innovations into the sector.”
Rebalancing investment for diverse groups
Research shows that in recent years more than 90% of the total amount of venture capital raised went to white
entrepreneurs, while only 0.24% went to black entrepreneurs and only 0.02% of investment going to black female founders.
“There are many great startup ideas out there and plenty of great founders,” says Eric Collins, CEO of Impact X. “But
often we see that the biggest challenge facing founders is getting those initial enterprise trials and contracts that
really change the game when it comes to fundraising and long-term success.”
Tailored mentoring and expert guidance
Microsoft are looking for their first entrepreneurs and start-ups to kickstart these industry challenges, providing
support including $150,000 in free Azure credits, expert guidance from technical advisors and Azure specialists,
free working space in Shoreditch, and tailored mentoring.
Jimmy Cockerton, UK Innovation and Startups Lead at Microsoft explains: “It’s been a real privilege leading
Microsoft, Impact X and Spring Innovation to help drive innovation in the water industry, and diversity in the
start-up community.”
“Through the Impact X-Venture Studio in partnership with Microsoft, I’m excited to see how we can rapidly
innovate with our enterprise customers whilst accelerating start-up growth through revenue creation. This is an
amazing opportunity bringing corporates and start-ups together to deliver greater impact for people and planet.”
