Before you apply
Make sure that you have carefully read the below sections on target audience, implementation mode, selection criteria as well as cost & commitment.
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for Innovative Water-Centric Businesses that have developed a scalable business model with the potential to reach hundreds of thousands or even millions of beneficiaries. Here’s what you need:
- Sustainable and innovative solutions that target water-saving, efficiency, supply, treatment, quality, or reuse aspects across domestic, industrial, or agricultural sectors .
- Businesses must have been operational and active for at least the past 1-2 years.
- Customer segment in rural, peri-urban and/or urban areas.
- Recurring sales from an initial customer base
- Legal registration is a plus but not mandatory. Businesses should be open to legalizing their operations during the program.
- High potential to scale operations, impact and profits
- Potential to become investment-ready by the end of the program
- Appetite for risk & growth
- Openness for business coaching and expert feedback
Do I fit in?
Check the examples below to assess if you might fit our participant profile:
Water-saving solutions
Enterprises that develop and implement technologies or practices aimed at reducing water usage across domestic, industrial, or agricultural sectors (e.g., low-flow fixtures, efficient irrigation systems, water reuse strategies, etc.).
Water efficiency solutions
Enterprises that enhance water use efficiency by optimizing consumption, reducing wastage, and implementing advanced monitoring systems to track and minimize water usage in various sectors (e.g., automated leak detection, advanced irrigation controls, water recycling systems, etc.).
Water supply solutions
Enterprises that offer infrastructure, products, and services to ensure reliable water supply to communities, industries, and agricultural areas (e.g., well drilling, water distribution networks, water storage systems, etc.).
Water treatment & quality solutions
Enterprises that focus on purifying and enhancing the quality of water for safe use in domestic, industrial, or agricultural contexts (e.g., filtration systems, chemical treatment plants, biological treatment units, etc.).
Water reuse solutions:
Enterprises that design, develop, and implement systems to recycle and reuse water, extending its lifecycle and reducing demand on fresh water sources across different sectors (e.g., greywater recycling systems, industrial water recovery units, treated wastewater for irrigation, etc.).
Selection Criteria
Solution for environment
We will support businesses that offer innovative, sustainable water-centeric solutions tackling water and climate challenges.
Geography
Our programme primarily targets all governorates of Iraq. We encourage flexibility in considering where enterprises are based and where they aspire to operate. Additionally, high-potential enterprises that is based outside Iraq may be included if they have an operational branch in Iraq.
Maturity
We will support businesses with a proven track record, an established customer base, and recurring sales. Our focus is on businesses that have demonstrated growth and stability in their operations.
Market-Based Solutions
We will only work with organizations that use a market-based approach to solving sustainability challenges. Businesses must have a clear revenue model, and we will not engage with donation-driven NGOs.
Team
We will prioritize dedicated team players and organizations that are structured and managed in a smart way. On top of the other listed priorities, preference will be given to teams that include refugees, women, and youth, or are led by these groups, as this diversity brings valuable perspectives to the business.
Social and environmental Impact
We will prioritize businesses that directly or indirectly improve services or support sustainable consumption and production, especially benefitting vulnerable groups including refugees, youth and/or women.
Growth & risk appetite
We are looking for businesses with a hunger to scale, a long-term strategic vision and innovative ideas on how to attain such a vision.
Implementation Mode
Offline
Meet and work with us face-to-face during the programme’s bootcamps in Iraq (Locations TBC)
Online
Work online with us on specific tasks of the acceleration programme and join us on Zoom for key input sessions
Blended
Receive individual coaching, focused training, and networking as well as peer-learning opportunities both off-/ and online
In the field
Develop and implement business transformation projects with our technical and financial support
Cost & Commitment
How much time do I have to commit to the participation in the programme?
Participation in the Cewas Water and Climate Accelerator Programme is a time-intensive endeavour and will require an average of 4 hours of dedication per week, with even more commitment during peak moments of the programme (e.g. acceleration bootcamp, technical assistance, etc.). In addition, participants must be present full-time for certain programme components – such as the face-to-face bootcamp in Iraq, which will last 4 full days in a row. The programme runs from January 2025 to March 2026. However, the journey does not end when the programme concludes. We will continue to offer ongoing support to help you build lasting connections and keep growing beyond the programme’s official end.
What does the participation cost?
Participation in the programme itself is free of cost. This means all direct costs related to participation in the acceleration programme—such as trainings, networking events, and coaching sessions—are covered by us. A minor cost-sharing fee of USD 100 will be collected per enterprise for the face-to-face bootcamp in Iraq.
Who from my team should participate?
Working with us is intense and we need your CEO or an adequate representation (e.g. Co-founder, business development director, etc.) of your management team to participate as single point of contact during the entire duration of the programme, especially for key events (bootcamps, pitching events, etc.).