Seattle-area climate consulting and analytics startup Earth Finance acquires water-focused firm

Sep 9, 2024 at 9:49 PM
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Pioneering the Future of Sustainable Business: Earth Finance's Transformative Acquisition of Water Foundry

In a strategic move that underscores the growing importance of water management in the fight against climate change, Earth Finance, a Seattle-based startup, has announced the acquisition of Water Foundry, a company specializing in helping clients address water scarcity and quality issues. This acquisition marks a significant step forward in Earth Finance's mission to empower businesses globally to reduce their environmental impact and pave the way for a more sustainable future.

Unlocking the Power of Water and Nature to Drive Climate Action

Addressing the Water Crisis: A Critical Economic Concern

Water scarcity is no longer just an environmental issue; it has become a critical economic concern that impacts global supply chains, transportation, and energy production. Earth Finance's CEO, Garrett Kephart, emphasizes the urgency of this challenge, stating, "Water scarcity is no longer just an environmental issue; it's a critical economic concern that impacts global supply chains, transportation, and energy production." This acquisition underscores Earth Finance's commitment to tackling this pressing issue and providing comprehensive solutions to its clients.

Integrating Water and Nature into Climate Action

Reuven Carlyle, Earth Finance's executive vice president, eloquently captures the essence of this acquisition, saying, "Water and nature are the soul of climate action!" This statement reflects the company's holistic approach to addressing climate change, recognizing the intrinsic connection between water, natural resources, and the overall environmental well-being. By integrating Water Foundry's expertise into its service offerings, Earth Finance aims to empower its clients to address water-related challenges as an integral part of their broader climate action strategies.

Driving Sustainable Transformation Across Industries

The acquisition of Water Foundry comes at a critical time when organizations worldwide are pledging to cut their carbon footprints. More than 500 companies have signed the Climate Pledge, a commitment launched by Amazon, in which signatories vow to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. However, achieving these ambitious goals is no easy feat, particularly for tech companies that are struggling to balance their environmental commitments with the energy-intensive nature of their operations, including the use of water for data center cooling.

Earth Finance's Multifaceted Approach to Climate Action

Earth Finance takes a comprehensive approach to supporting the shift away from fossil fuels towards clean energy. Its services include helping organizations create roadmaps for cutting their carbon emissions, assisting in the design of business models for cutting carbon from products and operations, connecting public funds with private investors to support climate startups, and providing climate-related analytics. The acquisition of Water Foundry further strengthens Earth Finance's ability to address the interconnected challenges of water, energy, and climate change, positioning the company as a leader in the sustainable business transformation.

A Seasoned Team Driving Sustainable Innovation

Earth Finance's co-founders, Garrett Kephart, a climate policy expert, Reuven Carlyle, a former state senator who spearheaded climate policy in Washington, and Bryan Weeks, the former head of the Americas Institutional business for Russell Investments and Earth Finance's board chairman, bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the table. The addition of Will Sarni, the founder of Water Foundry, as the "practice leader, water and nature," further bolsters the company's capabilities in addressing the critical intersection of water, nature, and climate action.

Rapid Growth and Strategic Acquisitions

Earth Finance publicly launched in February 2023 and has already raised a $14 million seed round, demonstrating the strong investor confidence in the company's vision and potential. This acquisition of Water Foundry marks the startup's second acquisition, following last year's purchase of Molecule, a climate advocacy firm. With a growing team of around 40 employees, Earth Finance is poised to continue its rapid expansion and solidify its position as a leading player in the sustainable business transformation landscape.