Dutch hydration startup Aquablu closes €7 million round live on podcast to expand their smart water dispenser

Aquablu, the Amsterdam-based firm reconsidering office hydration with clever, tech-enabled dispensers, has actually elevated EUR7 million in Seed financing to sustain worldwide growth, drive R&D, and range automation throughout their hydration system.

Frans van Houten, previous chief executive officer of Philips, led this round, that included a standout minute: an online, on-air dedication of EUR750k throughout the Dutch Dragons podcast, which later on enhanced to EUR1.1 million after the episode broadcast.

“ What Nespresso provided for coffee, we’re providing for water,” stated Marnix Stokvis, Founder of Aquablu. “ However sustainably and specifically for companies“

Established In 2018 by Marnix Stokvis and Marc van Zuylen, Aquablu is changing hydration with clever, lasting, and health-focused options.

Aquablu’s front runner system, REFILL+, supplies cooled, gleaming, or still useful water instilled with all-natural tastes, electrolytes, and B vitamins. Created for workplaces, resorts, and public areas, it apparently changes bottled beverages with a much healthier, extra interesting experience, all while getting rid of single-use plastic.

” What excited me most is just how much Aquablu currently has actually found out,” included Frans van Houten “ They have actually developed a solid structure, clever circulation, an excellent item, and a clear go-to-market technique. It’s uncommon to see a group that incorporates objective with implementation so well. They’re not simply speaking about making healthy and balanced hydration very easy at the workplace, they’re doing it, at range.“

The Dutch Dragons podcast, where forthcoming and widely known business owners share their business trip, took a various spin this time around. Real to Dragon design, the business owners– Bachelor’s degrees Witvoet, Pieter Schoen, and Michel Perridon– ended up being so ecstatic concerning Aquablu’s tale and energy that they determined to spend EUR1.1 million right away.

“ The factor I determined to buy Aquablu is that I was truly excited by the 2 young business owners, Marc and Marnix, that began the firm while still in college. I myself Co-founded numerous business throughout my pupil days along with my buddy and service companion Harald, so I understand firsthand what an interesting and opportunity-rich time exists in advance for them,” stated Schoen “ I’m truly eagerly anticipating developing something terrific with the individuals at Aquablu and sustaining them any place I can. As I typically claim, it’s the business owner that makes the distinction– an excellent business owner can also offer water! Which, naturally, fits flawlessly with the Aquablu tale“

Instead of increasing with standard equity capital, Aquablu structured the round as a Buddies of Aquablu raising, a curated team of drivers and capitalists that share the firm’s way of thinking.

“ We weren’t trying to find month-to-month board conferences or hefty coverage obligations,” Stokvis included. “ We require companions that rely on rate and implementation“

Aquablu has actually supposedly attained over 300% year-over-year development for 3 successive years, sustained by rising need throughout both company and friendliness markets. In 2025, the firm got to a significant landmark– attaining earnings for the very first time given that its beginning, with April noting the transforming factor.

“ We go to the start of an essential change,” claims Founder van Zuylen “ Firms are reimagining hydration– not as a price, yet as component of their brand name and sustainability technique“

The financing will certainly be made use of to sustain worldwide growth, drive R&D, and range automation throughout Aquablu’s hydration system. The firm intends to accomplish EUR100 million in earnings with a lean group of less than 100 workers by 2028.

The message Dutch hydration startup Aquablu closes €7 million round live on podcast to expand their smart water dispenser showed up initially on EU-Startups.