Collaboration is critical to solve the world’s water challenges
Xylem’s Partnerships Accelerator program supports entrepreneurs as they advance and scale their businesses.
Xylem Innovation Labs (XIL) partners with innovative companies and startups who are creating the technologies and solutions that are needed to support our customers and communities to create a water-secure world.
Each year, Xylem launches its annual Partnerships Accelerator tailored for startups and small companies seeking to scale their technologically ready and commercially proven products and services. The Xylem Partnerships Accelerator is designed to provide a founder-friendly pathway to evaluate the formation of a commercial partnership with Xylem. This program grants participants access to Xylem’s vast network of resources, provides an opportunity to demonstrate synergy, demonstrates customer value, and defines opportunities for partnership via a carefully defined proof-of-value project.
Benefits of the Xylem Partnerships Accelerator
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Exposure
Connecting your company to Xylem, customers, and industry partners such as Burnt Island Ventures, The Westly Group, Imagine H2O, BlueTech Research, and more
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Validation
Xylem-supported commercial demonstration and proof-of-value project
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Partnership
Gain insights into navigating the industry, understanding Xylem, and developing your go-to-market strategy with corporate support—while accessing an expedited pathway to a commercial partnership with Xylem
How it works
The one-year program is split into two parts.
Part 1 includes a 12-week “Corporate Crash Course”, guiding Founder’s through the in’s-and-outs of business development and workingwith a corporation. Part 1 culimnates in an in-person Symposium that includes Xylem leadership and industry partners. During this time,companies will define and scope their proof-of-value activities with Xylem’s commercial teams.
Part 2 is focused on exploring and defining the value of a partnership with Xylem. This may take the form of a commercial demonstration,proving out capabilities, and exploration of example use cases. Alongside this, we will run a select few exciting monthly seminars fromindustry experts. Part 2 culminates with Xylem and the participating companies deciding on whether to formulate a partnership.
What challenges do we want to solve?
While we are interested in any leading technology or solution that can solve water challenges, our specific focus areas include:
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Advanced Treatment
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AI & Digital Workforce Management
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Asset Management & Services
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Advanced Sensing
Frequently Asked Questions
Xylem’s Partnerships Accelerator evaluates a potential commercial arrangement with emerging technology providers and Xylem. With the Partnership Accelerator we have created the first founder-friendly program to engage with a Water Major, intended to arrive at a definitive Go/No-Go decision and partnership pathway within a 12-month period. Through the Accelerator program, you will learn about how to navigate and work with a global company like Xylem, gain access to our sales, marketing, product, and engineering teams, attend virtual and in-person seminars and events, and deliver a collaborative proof-of-value project.
Xylem Partnerships Accelerator is by invitation-only. We are scouting for companies that:
- Align with one or more of Xylem’s listed priorities
- Have a technology readiness level (TRL) of 7 or above.
- Have validated their technology/service through pilots and at least one paying customer (not grant funded)
- Have a proven go-to-market strategy and are willing and want to explore collaborating with Xylem to scale
Xylem Innovation Labs will accept applications in October for the following year's program. Each cohort will be selected and announced in December of the year prior with the year-long program officially beginning mid-January.
Should a mutually-beneficial relationship and opportunity be demonstrated over the course of the Xylem Partnerships Accelerator, both parties will discuss the best way to move forward, including but not limited to a commercial agreement where Xylem and the technology provider go to market together.
Let’s build what’s next for water – together
By partnering with Xylem Innovation Labs, we can accelerate breakthrough solutions through global collaboration.