The Water Environment Federation (WEF) has formed a partnership with Imagine H2O, a San Francisco-based nonprofit that hosts a global business plan competition and an accelerator program for water startups. Through this initiative, both organizations will encourage entrepreneurs to turn water challenges into business opportunities. WEF will provide strategic support and resources to the Imagine H2O competition and its winners.

“WEF recognizes that collaboration within the entrepreneurial community is an integral part of pursuing innovative approaches to water management, “ said WEF executive director Jeff Eger. “We applaud Imagine H2O’s efforts to cultivate entrepreneurship and support business creation in the sector. We believe that this new partnership will create a bridge that will help us further our collective efforts to solve current and future global water challenges.”

Previous Imagine H2O winners such as Black Gold Biofuels, Fogbusters, Hydrovolts and Water Smart Software have leveraged Imagine H2O’s Accelerator Program to secure financing and attract customers.  As part of the agreement, WEF will look for opportunities to encourage technical and business professionals to act as mentors for Imagine H2O’s winning companies and help publicize the competition and winners in its publications and marketing efforts.

Winners of Imagine H2O’s Wastewater Prize will also be featured at WEFTEC 2012 in New Orleans.