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2024

The Water Fund

A blended capital platform connecting systemic underinvestment in the world's most essential and overlooked resource — water

Date: 15/08/25

www.waterfund.com

Welcome

Message

Christoph Schwager, Chairman, The Water Foundation

Christoph Schwager

Chairman, The Water Foundation

Thank you for joining us today as we explore innovative approaches to global water security challenges.

We emphasize scalable solutions that build resilience, restore ecosystems, and expand water access globally.

www.waterfund.com

Introduction

2025

Framing the

Challenge

Water technology innovation requires unprecedented coordination across sectors, geographies, and stakeholder groups.

  • 2.2 billion people lack safely managed drinking water
  • 4.2 billion people lack safely managed sanitation
  • $114 billion annual investment gap in water infrastructure
  • 80% of wastewater flows back to ecosystem untreated

The Blind Spot of

Humankind

Hidden in Plain Sight

  • Water is a critical system hiding in plain sight.
  • Despite its foundational role, water is undervalued, undercapitalized, and unprotected.

The Investment Gap

  • Traditional funding models fail to address systemic water challenges
  • Fragmented approaches miss critical interconnections

www.waterfund.com

Our Team

Portrait of Christoph Schwager

Christoph Schwager

Managing Partner, Co-Founder, Co-Chair

Strategic leader with deep expertise in operational, financial, and technological domains.

Portrait of Verena A. Sturm

Verena A. Sturm

Managing Partner, Co-Founder, Co-Chair

Guiding the platform's capital formation, strategic partnerships, and policy engagement.

Portrait of Christophe C. Meeus

Christophe C. Meeus

Trustee

Managing Director, CFO, General Counsel, and Board Member with international executive experience.

Portrait of Felix Famira

Felix Famira

Co-Founder & Director of Operations

Expert in operations and strategic development for water-related initiatives.

Our Mission

Our mission is built on three key pillars

We exist to solve humanity's most overlooked crisis at a global turning point.

Our mission is to mobilize blended capital, science, and local leadership to restore global water resilience.

We aim to close the water capital gap by building vehicles, alliances, and trust systems for lasting change.

www.waterfund.com

Catalyze Innovation

Build Resilience

The Problem

Water is underfunded and fragmented

Multiple interconnected challenges prevent effective water security solutions

Scale Mismatch

Local solutions struggle to address global challenges

Capital Gaps

Insufficient funding for critical water infrastructure

Technology Barriers

Innovation adoption hindered by market failures

Governance Fragmentation

Disconnected policies undermine coordinated action

Key Figures

Water stress is escalating globally, with critical implications for human security and economic stability.

4bn

People in Water Stress

Experience severe water scarcity at least one month per year

40%

Supply Deficit

Gap between water demand and sustainable supply by 2030

90%

Water-Related Disasters

Of all natural disasters are water-related

Geopolitical Trend

Conflict Zones

Water stress is intensifying tensions across fragile regions and borders.

Regional Flashpoints

Disputes over water are growing in South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

Resource Competition

Nations are contesting dwindling supplies, risking broader geopolitical instability.

Threat to Peace

Water scarcity now endangers not just communities, but peace between nations.

Our Systemic Solution

Not a fund...

We're building a systemic correction mechanism, not just a fund....

Mechanism

Structure

A multi-layered structure realigning capital with the water system

Innovation

Deploy solutions with proven impact readiness

Approach

Policy Alignment

Ensure governance supports long-term capital flow.

Finance Stack

Activate capital layers from grants to private equity

Thank You

Questions & Discussion

The Water Fund
Systemic Solutions for Water Security
Contact:
info@thewaterfund.org
Learn More:
www.thewaterfund.org