In a significant milestone for water-tech innovation in North Africa, Kumulus Water has announced the closing of a $3.5 million seed funding round. The startup, which was co-founded in 2021 by Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid, operates between France and Tunisia and specializes in turning air into clean drinking water. The new funding is set to accelerate the company’s expansion plans and the rollout of its latest product line across multiple markets.
A Vision for Off-Grid Water Access
Kumulus Water is known for its development of Atmospheric Water Generators (AWGs), devices that extract drinking water from air humidity. These machines function independently of existing water and electricity infrastructure, making them ideal for remote, underserved, or climate-vulnerable regions. This unique capability positions the company at the forefront of sustainable and decentralized water solutions in an increasingly water-stressed world.
Strong Backing from Public and Private Investors
The seed round attracted a diverse set of investors from both public and private sectors, underlining confidence in Kumulus Water’s mission. French public investment bank Bpifrance participated through the France 2030 SGPI initiative and the Île-de-France Region, alongside leading regional venture capital firms PlusVC, Khalys Venture, and Flat6Labs. Additional backing came from several family offices and startup founders across Europe and North Africa, with a strategic contribution from Spadel, a major European bottled water company.
Introducing the Kumulus Boks
A major portion of the new funding will be dedicated to scaling up the company’s industrial product offering, notably the launch of the Kumulus Boks. This next-generation line consists of high-capacity, off-grid water generation units designed for deployment in industrial facilities, community spaces, and other large-scale applications. The Kumulus Boks builds on the startup’s earlier success with smaller units, expanding its ability to meet more complex water needs.
Deployment Across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East
To date, Kumulus Water has successfully installed units in diverse settings such as schools, hotels, and remote villages. Its existing footprint spans Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, demonstrating the flexibility and demand for its AWG technology across multiple climates and sectors. The company views this early traction as a springboard for broader market penetration.
Strategic Market Expansion Underway
With the fresh capital, Kumulus aims to strengthen its operations in France, Spain, and Tunisia—its three core markets—while also preparing for entry into Saudi Arabia. The Gulf nation represents a high-potential market due to its acute water scarcity challenges and strong interest in sustainable infrastructure. This regional focus aligns with broader trends in climate-tech investments aimed at the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Sustainable Innovation for a Water-Scarce Future
The startup’s work is gaining attention as water scarcity intensifies globally, driven by climate change, urbanization, and strained infrastructure. By enabling access to clean water without the need for traditional systems, Kumulus Water contributes to greater resilience and autonomy for vulnerable communities. The company’s model supports both humanitarian outcomes and commercial viability, appealing to investors and governments alike.
Kumulus Water’s latest funding round marks a key step in its evolution from an early-stage startup to a scalable, impact-driven enterprise. With its new product line and geographic expansion underway, the company is poised to make a meaningful contribution to addressing one of the world’s most pressing challenges. As it continues to innovate and deploy solutions across continents, Kumulus Water is emerging as a global player in the water-tech sector.