Dutch startup HULO.ai raises €2.3 million to combat global water loss using AI-powered leak detection, helping utilities conserve billions of liters annually and build more resilient water infrastructure worldwide.
Dutch WaterTech company HULO has raised €2.3 million in seed funding to accelerate its mission of reducing global water loss through artificial intelligence.
The round was led by VP Capital and LUMO Labs, with participation from Vanagon, Rabobank, the Frisian Development Fund (FOM), and the Netherlands Enabling Water Technology Fund (NEW-ttt).
HULO is a Netherlands-based WaterTech company that uses artificial intelligence and data analytics to detect, localize, and prioritize leaks in water infrastructure.
Its hardware-agnostic SaaS platform integrates seamlessly into existing systems, enabling cost-effective, scalable, and sustainable water management.
HULO’s software platform enables water utilities to detect, localize, and prioritize leaks using pressure and flow data from existing infrastructure.
The company’s technology combines AI with physics-based modeling to understand each network’s unique behavior, providing precise and actionable insights without requiring new hardware installations or complex network segmentation.
“The future of water infrastructure depends on digital innovation that integrates seamlessly with the operational realities of today’s systems,” said Robbert Lodewijks, Co-Founder and CEO of HULO. “Our goal is to provide utilities with tools that are both powerful and practical—allowing them to take immediate action without the need for costly overhauls.”
HULO’s approach eliminates reliance on expensive sensors and manual inspections. Instead, the platform continuously learns from real-time operational data, shifting water management from reactive repairs to proactive prevention.
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The new investment will allow HULO to expand its footprint across Europe and Latin America, while strengthening its internal capabilities in artificial intelligence, data analytics, cybersecurity, and customer support.
“Water scarcity is one of the world’s most urgent environmental challenges, with nearly 30 percent of treated water lost globally through aging infrastructure,” said Erica van Eeghen, Senior Manager Ventures at VP Capital. “HULO’s AI-powered approach offers a scalable and cost-effective solution that aligns with our mission to invest in innovations delivering measurable environmental impact.”
According to Dagmar van Ravenswaay Claasen, Senior Partner at LUMO Labs, HULO’s technology could save the equivalent of more than 4 million Olympic-sized swimming pools of water every year by 2030, a testament to the company’s growing global impact.
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Water loss not only threatens supply but also drives higher energy consumption and carbon emissions. Each liter of lost water represents wasted treatment, transport, and operational costs.
By leveraging existing data, HULO empowers utilities to monitor, predict, and prevent leaks before they escalate, creating a new standard for sustainable water management.
Key Environmental and Social Impacts:
💧 Enables proactive water conservation without hardware investments
🌍 Reduces carbon emissions linked to water treatment and pumping
⚙️ Strengthens resilience in critical water infrastructure
🔒 Improves transparency, security, and efficiency in utility operations
“At HULO, we see every drop of water as an opportunity to create lasting impact,” added Frank van der Hulst, Co-Founder and CTO. “Our work is focused on helping utilities build smarter, more resilient systems that safeguard this essential resource.”
HULO’s funding partners represent some of Europe’s most forward-thinking impact investors.
Vanagon, a Munich-based DeepTech venture fund, underscored the importance of intelligent monitoring in critical infrastructure:
“With 30% of drinking water in the EU lost to leakages, AI-powered oversight is no longer optional—it’s essential,” said Axel Roitzsch, Co-Founder and General Partner at Vanagon. “HULO exemplifies how advanced technology can be applied to protect public utilities and enhance resilience.”
FOM and NEW-ttt, both with deep roots in the Dutch water innovation ecosystem, emphasized the company’s potential to set a global standard for sustainable water technology.
“HULO is a prime example of Dutch innovation with worldwide relevance,” said Sybo Zijlstra, Investment Manager at FOM. “We are confident in their ability to deliver meaningful environmental and economic benefits.”
Developed within Wetsus, the Netherlands’ leading institute for sustainable water technology, HULO combines Dutch expertise in water management with cutting-edge artificial intelligence.
The company’s expansion reflects a growing international consensus that smart data and AI are critical tools for tackling global water insecurity.
As cities and utilities around the world confront the dual pressures of population growth and climate change, HULO’s technology offers a path toward efficiency, resilience, and sustainability, ensuring that every drop counts.
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