On 3–4 June 2026, Aarhus once again became a meeting point for some of the world’s most promising water technology companies, investors, and industry experts as the fourth edition of Tech Tour Water Tech took place in Denmark. As a proud partner, Clean helped bring together innovators, scaleups, investors, and key stakeholders from across the global water ecosystem.
More than 100 companies applied to participate in Tech Tour Water Tech 2026, with 36 carefully selected startups and scaleups invited to pitch their solutions to nearly 50 international investors and industry experts. The event was organised in collaboration with NIRAS, Kromann Reumert, Aarhus University, Water Valley Denmark, Invest in Denmark, and several other organisations dedicated to advancing innovation in the water sector.
Innovation and investment in focus
Tech Tour Water Tech has established itself as one of Europe’s leading platforms for connecting innovative water technology companies with investors, strategic partners, and industry leaders. The event provides companies with opportunities to accelerate growth, gain market insights, and build valuable international relationships.
Among this year’s selected companies were five Danish scaleups:
- HYKIN ENERGY
- Vāsuqi
- Bio Clean Carbon
- Klarifi
- SmartBrønd
A special congratulations goes to SmartBrønd and CEO Jeppe Mariager-Lam, who were selected among the event’s Top 6 Presenters.
The recipe for success in the water sector
One of the highlights of the event was the keynote presentation by Paul Gardner, Group Development Director at Glanua, followed by a panel discussion featuring leading profiles from across the water sector.
Under the title “The Recipe for Winning B2B Customers in WaterTech”, Gardner shared seven key ingredients for scaling and commercialising water technology solutions. Among the most important takeaways were the need to:
- Shift focus from product to customer
- Narrow the market and identify the right customer segments
- Understand complex purchasing and decision-making processes
- Choose the most effective route to market
- Build strong partnerships with aligned incentives
- Turn early customers into powerful reference cases
As Gardner emphasised: “You are not selling technology – you are selling confidence.” The message resonated throughout the event and highlighted the importance of trust, reliability, and proven results when bringing innovative solutions into the water sector.
Top Presenters of Tech Tour Water Tech 2026
Following one and a half days of presentations, networking, and discussions, six companies were selected as the Top Presenters of Tech Tour Water Tech 2026:
- Atoco
- CellX Biosolutions
- InPipe Energy
- Metal Morph
- Ozo Innovations
- SmartBrønd
The selected companies demonstrated strong innovation and a commitment to solving some of the world’s most pressing water challenges, showcasing the quality and dynamism of the global water technology ecosystem.
A strong international water innovation ecosystem
Tech Tour Water Tech 2026 was made possible through close collaboration between a wide range of Danish and international partners, including Clean, NIRAS, Kromann Reumert, Aarhus University, Water Valley Denmark, the City of Aarhus, Global Water Intelligence, International Cleantech Network, Invest in Denmark, Startup Aarhus, Imagine H2O, and VisitAarhus.
At Clean, we are proud to support initiatives that connect innovative companies, investors, utilities, and industrial stakeholders. By strengthening these relationships, we help accelerate the development and deployment of solutions that address global water challenges and contribute to a more sustainable future.
We thank Tech Tour, the participating companies, investors, experts, speakers, and partners for another successful event. We look forward to following the continued growth of the participating companies and welcoming the water innovation community back in the future.
Tech Tour Water Tech 2026 is co-funded by Virksomhedsudvikling Danmark through the Danish Board of Business Development and the European Union.
