The water resources engineering industry in Europe focuses on managing and conserving water resources effectively. Companies involved range from innovative startups to established engineering firms, providing solutions for wastewater treatment, water quality monitoring, and infrastructure development. This sector is experiencing rapid growth, driven by increasing climate concerns, urbanization, and regulatory demands for sustainable practices. Emerging technologies, such as smart water management systems and advanced water purification techniques, are shaping the industry's future. As Europe commits to green initiatives and climate resilience, water resources engineering becomes vital for sustainable development and effective water resource management.


In 2024, the investment scene for water resources engineering in Europe featured a mix of venture capital, corporate, and private equity firms. Investors hail from key cities in Sweden, the UK, Ireland, and France, establishing a robust presence across the sector. Spanning from industry giants with over 10,000 employees to agile startup partners, these organizations are unified in their commitment to funding innovative solutions. With a total of more than 400 deals completed, 2024 revealed a surge of activity from investors like Bpifrance and EQT Group, highlighting the critical role of financing in fostering water-related advancements.


Top 16 Water Resources Engineering Investors in Europe


1. RSK Group

  • Website: rskgroup.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Helsby, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 1989
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: rsk-group

RSK Group is an environmental consultancy and engineering services company based in the UK, founded in 1989. With over 10,000 employees, RSK provides a wide range of services including environmental assessments, engineering solutions, and sustainability consulting across various sectors such as energy, healthcare, and construction. In recent years, RSK has made significant strides in the water resources engineering sector through strategic acquisitions. Notably, in January 2021, RSK acquired Black & Veatch's Water Europe and Water Asia businesses, which bolstered their workforce and is expected to add approximately £160 million to their annual turnover. This acquisition enhances RSK's capabilities in water management and demonstrates their commitment to the water resources engineering field. Other relevant acquisitions include Nicholas O’Dwyer and Copeland Wedge Associates, which further diversify their engineering services and expertise in water-related projects.


2. Accenture

  • Website: accenture.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
  • Founded year: 2001
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 51
  • LinkedIn: accenture

Accenture is a global consulting firm based in Dublin, Ireland, specializing in information technology and management consulting services. Founded in 2001, the company has grown to employ over 10,000 professionals and operates across various industries, providing solutions that help businesses innovate and improve efficiency. In 2024, Accenture announced its acquisition of IQT Consulting, an Italian provider of engineering managed services for large infrastructure projects, which enhances its capabilities in building net-zero infrastructure. This acquisition aligns with their interest in sustainable infrastructure, potentially including water resources engineering. Additionally, Accenture's acquisition of Boslan Group and Comtech Group Inc. further demonstrates their commitment to expanding their engineering and consulting services, which may intersect with water resources projects. Their recent investment in KETOS, a company focused on water quality monitoring and management, also highlights their engagement in the water sector, making them a relevant player in the broader context of water resources engineering.


3. European Innovation Council (EIC)


The European Innovation Council (EIC) is a public entity based in Brussels, Belgium, established to foster innovation and entrepreneurship across Europe. Founded in 1958, the EIC offers various funding programs, including the EIC Accelerator and EIC Pathfinder, aimed at helping startups and SMEs develop and scale their technologies. In the context of water resources engineering, the EIC has been involved in several significant transactions, such as providing grants to iFLUX, vorteX-io, and IOS, which focus on innovative solutions for water management. Notably, Pydro, a company that raised over $17 million in a venture round and additional funding through grants, exemplifies the EIC's commitment to supporting advancements in water resources engineering. Through its business acceleration services and networking opportunities, the EIC plays a crucial role in promoting innovation in various sectors, including water management.


4. Bpifrance French Tech Accélération


Bpifrance French Tech Accélération is a venture capital investor based in Paris, Île-De-France, France, founded in 2015. As a public entity and financial institution, Bpifrance supports entrepreneurs and businesses in France and internationally through a variety of services, including direct funding, export credit insurance, and private equity investments. The institution aims to foster entrepreneurship and innovation by providing coaching and partnerships to help businesses navigate growth and international expansion. Notably, Bpifrance has participated in several transactions relevant to the water resources engineering sector, including a pre-Seed funding round for Kumulus Water, a Tunisian startup focused on water services, where it contributed to a total of $969k raised to improve the startup's product and deliver its first pre-ordered machines. This involvement highlights Bpifrance's engagement in the water resources industry, alongside its broader investment strategy.


5. Bgf

  • Website: bgf.co.uk
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 2011
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 53
  • LinkedIn: bgfinvestments

BGF Investment Management Limited is a venture capital firm based in London, England, that was founded in 2011. The firm focuses on providing growth funding and value creation support to small and mid-sized businesses in the UK and Ireland, addressing the funding gap in the market through minority investments and extensive support services. BGF has been involved in several transactions relevant to the water resources engineering sector, including a significant £6.25 million investment in Skewb, a company that offers consultancy and digital transformation services to the energy and water sector. Additionally, BGF invested in Flowline Limited, a drainage contractor, which highlights their commitment to supporting businesses that contribute to water management and engineering. Their investment in RSK Group, an environmental and engineering services company, further demonstrates their engagement in sectors that intersect with water resources management.


6. Katapult

  • Website: katapult.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Oslo, Oslo, Norway
  • Founded year: 2017
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 8
  • LinkedIn: katapult-accelerator

Katapult is an impact investment firm based in Oslo, Norway, founded in 2017. They specialize in supporting tech startups that tackle global challenges through investment, accelerator programs, and mentorship. Katapult has been involved in several notable transactions, particularly in the climate-tech and ocean-tech sectors. Among their investments, Desolenator stands out as a startup focused on innovative water purification and desalination solutions, which aligns closely with water resources engineering. Additionally, their investment in GKinetic Energy, which explores energy generation from water sources, further emphasizes their commitment to addressing water-related challenges. In 2024, Katapult participated in a Series A funding round for Flocean, a company likely involved in water-related technology, showcasing their ongoing engagement in this critical area.


7. Almi

  • Website: almi.se
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Founded year: 1994
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Number of deals in 2024: 7
  • LinkedIn: almi-ab

Almi AB is a financial services company based in Stockholm, Sweden, that provides loans, risk capital, and business development support to small and medium-sized enterprises. Founded in 1994, Almi aims to enhance the growth and competitiveness of these businesses through tailored financial solutions and guidance. Among its notable transactions, Almi has invested in Aqua Robur Technologies, which raised SEK 7.2M to launch technology for measuring water quality and leakage, and Stockholm Water Technology, which secured funding for market entry and product development. These investments highlight Almi's commitment to supporting innovations in the water resources engineering sector, alongside its broader investment strategy.


8. EQT Group

  • Website: eqtgroup.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Founded year: 1994
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 30
  • LinkedIn: eqt-partners

EQT Group is a prominent investment firm based in Stockholm, Sweden, specializing in private equity, infrastructure, real estate, growth equity, and venture capital. Founded in 1994, EQT serves institutional investors by managing diverse investment portfolios across various sectors and geographies. Among their notable transactions, EQT acquired Saur SAS, a key player in the water and wastewater services sector, for approximately $1.7 billion in December 2018. Additionally, they acquired Innovyze, a water infrastructure analytics firm, for $270 million in March 2017. These investments reflect EQT's strategic focus on enhancing water resources engineering capabilities and their commitment to the water sector.


9. SLR Consulting

  • Website: slrconsulting.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Aylesbury, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 1994
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 6
  • LinkedIn: slr-consulting

SLR Consulting is a UK-based corporate investor founded in 1994, specializing in sustainability solutions and environmental consulting. With a workforce of 1001-5000 employees, SLR provides a range of services including ESG strategy and project delivery across various sectors. In recent years, SLR has made several strategic acquisitions to enhance its expertise and market presence. Notably, they acquired Palmer Environmental Consulting, a firm focused on resources and development, which could include water resources management. Additionally, their acquisition of Wardell Armstrong and SGA (Gestión Ambiental S.A.) further expands their capabilities in environmental consulting, particularly in sectors that intersect with water resources. These transactions highlight SLR's commitment to addressing complex sustainability challenges, including those related to water resources engineering.


10. Egis

  • Website: egis-group.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Saint Quentin, Île-De-France, France
  • Founded year: 1949
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: egis

Egis is a consulting and engineering firm founded in 1949, based in Saint Quentin, Île-De-France, France. With a workforce of over 10,000 employees, Egis specializes in infrastructure and environmental projects, providing services such as design, project management, and sustainability consulting to both public and private sector clients. Recently, Egis has made significant strides in the water resources engineering sector through strategic acquisitions. Notably, they acquired Engeny Water Management, an Australian consulting firm, to bolster their capabilities in the local energy and water management sectors. Additionally, their acquisition of Casagec Ingénierie, which specializes in coastal management, further enhances their expertise in maritime engineering and climate change adaptation, both of which are critical in water resources management. These transactions reflect Egis's commitment to developing sustainable solutions in urban development and environmental management, making them a relevant player in the water resources engineering field.


11. European Investment Bank (EIB)


The European Investment Bank (EIB) is a public entity based in Luxembourg, founded in 1958, that provides a range of financial services including loans, equity investments, guarantees, and advisory services aimed at supporting sustainable projects across various sectors. In 2024, EIB was involved in several notable transactions, particularly in the water resources sector. For instance, it facilitated a debt financing round for The Water Group, raising approximately $369.8 million, which underscores its commitment to enhancing water infrastructure. Additionally, EIB supported Azienda Comprensoriale Acquedottistica with a debt financing of around $30.9 million, further highlighting its role in promoting water resource management. These transactions reflect EIB's strategic focus on sustainable development and its active participation in financing projects that are crucial for water resources engineering.


12. Agoranov

  • Website: agoranov.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Paris, Île-De-France, France
  • Founded year: 2000
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 42
  • LinkedIn: agoranov

Agoranov is a startup incubator based in Paris, Île-De-France, France, founded in 2000. They specialize in supporting technology and science startups through personalized assistance, fully equipped facilities, and acceleration programs. With a focus on early-stage startups, Agoranov has been involved in various innovative sectors. Notably, they have participated in funding rounds for companies like Fluidion, which is engaged in water quality monitoring, and Leakmited, which focuses on leak detection technologies. These transactions highlight Agoranov's involvement in the water resources engineering context, showcasing their support for startups that address critical water-related challenges.


13. Sgs

  • Website: sgs.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 1878
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5
  • LinkedIn: sgs

SGS S.A. is a leading testing, inspection, and certification company founded in 1878, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. With a workforce of over 10,000 employees, SGS operates globally, providing independent services to ensure product quality and compliance across various industries. The company has made significant strides in enhancing its environmental services, as evidenced by its acquisition of Ecotecnos, a Chilean company specializing in sea monitoring and oceanography, which aligns with water resources engineering. Furthermore, SGS's acquisition of EKO-PROJEKT LTD, an environmental company in Poland, enhances its capabilities in environmental monitoring and testing, further supporting its relevance in the water resources sector. These strategic acquisitions demonstrate SGS's commitment to expanding its offerings in industries related to environmental and water resource management.


14. Tikehau Capital


Tikehau Capital is an investment management firm based in Paris, Île-De-France, France, specializing in alternative asset management. Founded in 2004, the firm offers a diverse range of services including private debt, private equity, real assets, and capital markets strategies. Their clientele includes institutional and private investors, as well as SMEs seeking tailored financing solutions to support growth and sustainability initiatives. Notably, Tikehau Capital has been involved in several transactions that reflect their commitment to sustainability and infrastructure. For instance, their recent acquisition of a majority stake in CEBAT S.p.A. highlights their strategic focus on utility infrastructure, which is relevant to water resources engineering. Additionally, their involvement in debt financing for companies like Evac and Grupo Terratest suggests a willingness to support businesses that may operate within the water management sector, further aligning with their sustainability goals.


15. InnoEnergy

  • Website: innoenergy.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Eindhoven, North Brabant, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2010
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Number of deals in 2024: 52
  • LinkedIn: innoenergy

EIT InnoEnergy is a not-for-profit organization founded in 2010, based in Eindhoven, North Brabant, Netherlands, dedicated to accelerating sustainable energy innovations. It serves as a marketplace for energy solutions, offering training programs and support for innovators and corporates in the energy sector. InnoEnergy collaborates with various stakeholders to tackle challenges related to energy transition and sustainability. Among its notable transactions, InnoEnergy has invested in Stockholm Water Technology, which focuses on innovative water solutions, and RVE.SOL, a Portuguese minigrid firm that aims to provide renewable energy and clean water to underserved populations in East Africa. These investments highlight InnoEnergy's engagement in projects that intersect with water resources engineering, particularly in promoting sustainable access to clean water.


16. Erm

  • Website: erm.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 1971
  • Headcount: 5001-10000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: erm

ERM (Environmental Resources Management) is a leading global consulting firm founded in 1971, specializing in sustainability and environmental services. With a workforce of 5,001 to 10,000 employees, ERM provides a wide range of consulting services to businesses and organizations, helping them navigate sustainability challenges and achieve their environmental goals. In recent years, ERM has made several strategic acquisitions to enhance its capabilities in various sectors. Notably, in February 2023, ERM acquired Coho, a global advisory firm specializing in climate change, renewable energy, and water resiliency, which directly aligns with water resources engineering. This acquisition reflects ERM's commitment to addressing water-related challenges and enhancing their service offerings in this critical area. Additionally, their acquisition of the Environmental Division of NewFields Companies aims to bolster their technical and strategic offerings in environmental services, further supporting their role in sustainable water management.



Water Resources Engineering Insights: Key Investors in Europe


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
RSK GroupHelsby, England, United Kingdom (UK)10001+19893
AccentureDublin, Dublin, Ireland10001+200151
European Innovation Council (EIC)Brussels, Brussels, Belgium201-500195857
Bpifrance French Tech AccélérationParis, Île-De-France, France1-102015198
BgfLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)51-200201153
KatapultOslo, Oslo, Norway11-5020178
AlmiStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden201-50019947
EQT GroupStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden1001-5000199430
SLR ConsultingAylesbury, England, United Kingdom (UK)1001-500019946
EgisSaint Quentin, Île-De-France, France10001+19493
European Investment Bank (EIB)Luxembourg1001-5000195899
AgoranovParis, Île-De-France, France11-50200042
SgsGeneva, Geneva, Switzerland10001+18785
Tikehau CapitalParis, Île-De-France, France501-100020046
InnoEnergyEindhoven, North Brabant, Netherlands201-500201052
ErmLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)5001-1000019711


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