New Investment: Shower Stream saves water, energy and GHGs
An estimated 70 billion gallons of hot water are wasted each year in the United States from hotel showers. This is an overlooked problem caused by behavioral issues of guests leaving showers and use showers to steam their clothes. Shower Stream is solving this problem without requiring hotel guests to change their routine. The technology is simple. Each shower head is universally compatible and is fitted with a thermometer and motion active controls that shuts off flow once hot and unoccupied.
Echo River was drawn to three compelling drivers for this investment: customer value proposition, early traction, and measurable impact potential. Shower Stream offers an incredibly strong value proposition to their customers: hotels receive luxury shower heads for free, pay a monthly fee, and benefit from 100% savings in water and energy. Some of the biggest chains in the industry (Hyatt, Extended Stay America, Hilton, etc.) have signed up. Shower Stream’s real-time data monitoring allows for instant impact tracking, demonstrating proven water savings in pilots. We are projecting a 10-year goal of more than three billion gallons of water saved and 100 million metric tons of CO2 avoided. We are thrilled to add this impact company to our portfolio.
Industry News:
GIIN published their 2023 Review on trends in impact investing. Take-aways include indications that the majority of impact investors will increase their allocations to water, sanitation and hygiene; energy; infrastructure; and food & agriculture. In addition, majorities investors are allocating to climate mitigation, adaptation, or both.
California has achieved amazing strides in supplying under-served communities with new connections to clean, reliable water. California has enshrined the Human Right to Water, and yet until last year, over 1.6 million people in this state lacked clean, running water at home. In just the last two years, California has connected over 900,000 people with new water supplies through the state water board’s SAFER program – a true success story. Well done!
Science Insights: How Climate Change will influence natural systems in California? This article provides guidance for the types of technology solutions that will be needed to protect ecosystems in the future. https://www.pnas.org/doi/epub/10.1073/pnas.2310075121
CREO Syndicate published a new report estimating new investment in climate tech at….
Welcome Jack Schaufler, MBA Associate.
Echo River has been fortunate to have Jack Schaufler serve as an MBA Associate during the Spring and Summer, joining the team from the UC Davis Graduate School of Management. With an extensive background in renewable energy, Jack has been helping us dive deeper to broaden our understanding of the water-energy nexus in search of solutions that can drive decarbonization and de-watering of our energy systems. He is focused on innovation within our energy system and deploying capital strategically to ensure a fast and intelligent transition to a decarbonized economy. For example, Jack led diligence on our recently announced investment in Shower Stream. He will be exploring full-time roles in Venture Capital and other forms of financing innovative technologies upon graduating in June 2025. Reach out to Jack at jschaufler@ucdavis.edu if you are interested in getting to know him and chatting about post-graduate opportunities in venture.
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