Connect with us to get feedback from one of the top 10 Africa focused early stage investors on your current business model for urban water issues on Friday August 19th. Most promising solutions will be screened after for support of the VIA Water program.
Friday, August 19th, investor Vincent Kouwenhoven (director eVentures & eVentures Africa Fund) and Saskia Reus-Makkink (director Africa Funded) are hosting a Free Feedback Friday. Connect with our Skype address (FreeFeedbackFriday) to reserve your slot. Mention: Get ready for funding.
Africa’s rapid urbanization will result in new water management challenges for cities. Over the next 20 years, the urban population of Sub- Saharan Africa will double (UN-Habitat, 2011). This growth will bring opportunities to capitalize on the potential for economic expansion and challenges to avoid the many social problems, such as expanding slums, associated with unplanned urban growth. Effective water management will be critical in preparing cities to face this emerging challenges.
The gap between water demand and water supply is growing. Water demand is increasing at a higher rate than population growth — as income levels of urban dwellers rise and the demands for better services increase—whereas water availability is shrinking due to competing demands from agriculture, mining, and industry and from deteriorating water quality and climate change. Cities also face more flood hazards due to a complex web of land use, solid waste management, drainage, and wastewater management issues. The structure of urban growth in Africa and uncertainties of climate further add to the complexity of the challenges.
African cities must sprint in order to stand still to meet the demands of rapid urban population growth. Solving future urban water challenges is essential for growth and poverty reduction. Cities are the drivers of future economic growth through both the manufacturing and service sectors.
Feedback sessions are open for entrepreneurs with innovative business models focussing on urban water issues. Limited slots available. Selection based on most promising concepts (traction entrepreneur, sound business model) for business modelsaddressing:
- Equitable and efficient water use in (peri) urban agriculture
- Sustainable access to drinking water
- Sustainable access to sanitation
- More reliable water harvesting and storage
- Sustainable use of ground water resources
- Improved quality of water resources and distributed water
- Good quality data gathering, management and sharing
- Viable financial arrangements
- Improved urban planning
- Preventing and coping with floods, droughts and coastal erosion.
Friday, August 19th, investor Vincent Kouwenhoven (director eVentures & eVentures Africa Fund) and Saskia Reus-Makkink (director Africa Funded) are hosting a Free Feedback Friday session. Connect with our Skype address (FreeFeedbackFriday) to reserve your slot. Mention: Get ready for funding. Read more about Free Feedback Fridays.