PureTerra Ventures is a specialized venture capital firm headquartered in Amsterdam that is dedicated exclusively to the water technology sector. Founded in 2017, the firm addresses the global water crisis by investing in disruptive startups that offer commercial solutions to water scarcity, pollution, and inefficient usage. PureTerra distinguishes itself by blending deep technical expertise with a vast international network, including significant strategic channels in the Chinese water market. They act as a bridge between innovative WaterTech research and global industrial application, focusing on technologies that have a measurable environmental and social impact while delivering market rate financial returns.
In January 2026, PureTerra Ventures announced the launch of its second vehicle, WaterTech Fund II, with a target size of 150 million euros. This follows the success of their 73 million euro Fund I.
The new fund launched with a 10 million euro cornerstone investment from Invest NL, the Dutch national financing and development institution. Fund II aims to scale the proven strategy of its predecessor by backing approximately 30 startups that are ready for commercial expansion.
The fund focuses on mobilizing capital from a mix of public, private, and institutional investors to strengthen the Dutch water innovation ecosystem and drive international impact, particularly in regions where water availability is becoming a limiting factor for industrial scaling.
Leadership
The firm was founded by a team of experienced entrepreneurs and investors including Job van Schelven, Gijsbert De Bruin, Alexander Crowell, and Nic Pannekeet. Job van Schelven, a Partner at the firm, is a prominent voice in the sector, frequently advocating for the strategic importance of water in industrial growth. The leadership team combines decades of experience in the water industry with expertise in venture capital and international business development, particularly within European and Asian markets.
Investment Strategy
PureTerra Ventures primarily targets early stage startups, typically at the Series A and Series B phases, that are ready for commercial scale up. Their strategy is highly active and hands on, leveraging their "Water Impact Framework" to monitor and enhance the environmental performance of their portfolio.
They provide more than just capital, offering portfolio companies access to a global network of distributors, utilities, and blue chip corporate partners. By focusing on "Water 2.0" technologies—those that are digitized and decentralized—they aim to help founders navigate complex regulatory environments and enter high growth markets like China.
Notable Investments
The firm has backed a range of specialized water technology companies including:
Notable Exits
As a relatively young specialized firm that recently launched its second fund in 2026, PureTerra is currently focused on the value appreciation and commercial scaling of its Fund I portfolio; as such, there are no major public exits reported at this time.
Other
PureTerra is a mission driven investor where carried interest is specifically tied to the achievement of impact targets. This means they are deeply committed to the technical and environmental success of the product, not just the financial exit. Their unique connection to the Chinese market provides a significant competitive advantage for European and North American startups looking to enter one of the world’s largest and most demanding water technology arenas.
Netherlands
