For eight years, AquaAction and Ovivo have shared an ambitious mission: building a water-secure future by transforming promising ideas into scalable, real-world solutions.
Today, we are proud to announce the renewal of this important
partnership, opening a new chapter that will empower the next generation of water innovators and strengthen the way we sustain our most
precious resource.
Turning Vision into Measurable Impact
The partnership between AquaAction and Ovivo has delivered tangible results. With Ovivo's support, we have launched more than 120 water technology companies that are redefining how water is treated, reused, protected, and valued.
The impact was showcased on stage at the launch of AquaAction’s Water Impact Reports during WEFTEC, one of the largest water tech conferences in the world. That report showed that, from the first 14 AquaAction companies surveyed, their innovations have collectively saved nearly 100 billion litres of water, enough to supply approximately 900,000 North American homes. Beyond efficiency gains, this impact represents protected ecosystems, stronger communities, and tangible progress toward water security.
Pierre-Marc Sarrazin (Ovivo) and Soula Chronopoulos (AquaAction) at WEFTEC, 2025.
A Partnership Built on Shared Purpose
This renewed partnership is grounded in deeply aligned values: a belief in technology’s transformative power, the urgency around freshwater protection, and the importance of supporting innovators early.
Pierre-Marc Sarrazin (Ovivo) at AquaHacking, 2018.
As a global leader in water treatment solutions, Ovivo comes to the table with unmatched technical expertise and credibility that are a big boost to the startups. Ovivo’s team has done so much to provide hands-on mentorship, serving as program judges and experts ready to relay real-world experience to refine the startups technologies and business models. AquaAction’s role is often to simply bridge that gap between invention and implementation, and to connect startups with the networks and opportunities needed for them to scale at a global level. Together, we are creating an ecosystem where innovations can move from concept to commercial impact.
From Garages to Global Solutions
Over the years, Ovivo has seen entrepreneurs grow from early-stage ideas, sometimes born in garages, into million-dollar companies employing dozens and tackling critical water challenges. This evolution reflects Ovivo’s own entrepreneurial roots and underscores why this partnership matters: innovation thrives when experience meets ambition.
Looking Ahead
Renewing this partnership is a momentum-builder for AquaAction. With Ovivo’s support, AquaAction is well placed to accelerate the scaling of water technology startups through expanded markets in Canada, U.S. and globally. Together, we form a nexus of sustainable water innovation leadership on a global level.
As Marc Barbeau, President and CEO of Ovivo, has said:
“Renewing our partnership with AquaAction underscores the shared commitment to protecting freshwater that has defined our collaboration for the past eight years. Together, we are dedicated to empowering emerging innovators and entrepreneurs to turn groundbreaking ideas into sustainable solutions that safeguard this vital resource.”
And as AquaAction President Soula Chronopoulos affirms:
"Ovivo has been a foundational partner since AquaAction’s earliest days. Their confidence in our mission, and their practical, hands-on support, has helped turn promising ideas into real-world solutions with measurable impact. This renewed partnership is both a moment to recognize what we’ve accomplished together and a commitment to accelerate what comes next- for innovators, for communities, and for the future of freshwater. "
Today, AquaAction and Ovivo come together with results measured in billions of litres of water saved, and by a growing community of entrepreneurs building solutions the world urgently needs.
We are excited, energized, and ready for what comes next.
About Ovivo
Ovivo is a global provider of equipment, technology, and systems for purifying water and treating some of the most challenging wastewater in the industry. Ovivo is a powerful global brand with renowned trademarks, possessing more than 150 years of expertise and references in water treatment, supported by its proprietary products, advanced technologies, and extensive system integration knowhow. Ovivo delivers conventional to highly technological water treatment solutions for the industrial and municipal markets, and leverages its large installed base of equipment to offer parts and services to its customers. Ovivo is dedicated to innovation in an industry that is in constant evolution and offers water treatment solutions that are cost-effective, energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable.
Ovivo operates an integrated global platform and employs close to 700 experts in water treatment. Ovivo is owned by German SKion Water GmbH, a global technology and solutions provider, as well as plant manufacturer, in both municipal and industrial water and wastewater technology. SKion Water is a subsidiary of the German entrepreneur family Klatten’s investment holding company SKion GmbH.
About AquaAction
AquaAction is a charity registered in both the United States and Canada that is building a water-secure future through innovation, education, and collaboration. We support aspiring and experienced entrepreneurs to launch and scale water technology solutions to tackle the increasing economic, environmental and water security challenges we face. AquaAction works across sectors connecting innovators, policymakers, communities, and industries to empower the next generation of water stewards. We are a growing community of changemakers who are building the freshwater economy, one solution at a time.