MILWAUKEE, WI, June 22, 2015 -- JPMorgan Chase & Co., a global financial services firm, has officially awarded a $230,000 grant to The Water Council (TWC) to expand the organization's efforts in connecting water technology companies with investment capital through specialized training for angel investors and programming to connect corporation innovation departments with startups.
TWC is now in its 2nd year of funding under JPMorgan Chase's Small Business Forward initiative -- a national, five-year, $30-million grant program meant to boost small business support networks that help growing enterprises in specific industries. The organizations forged their partnership in the fall of 2014 to bring together North America's investment community and water technology entrepreneurs to match capital with water innovation.
The partnership will help enable water technology companies to strengthen and grow their businesses in the heart of the most densely populated water technology cluster in the United States and to advance TWC's vision of being the globally connected epicenter of freshwater research, innovation, education, and business development. Likewise, the grant will introduce the first Water Venture Investment Conference at the Water Environment Federation's Annual Technical Exhibition and Conference (WEFTEC) in Chicago, Ill., on Sept. 26-30.
"The Water Council is honored to continue this unique partnership with JPMorgan Chase and support our next development as a global leader to unite water technology entrepreneurs and investors," said Rich Meeusen, co-chair of TWC and chairman, president and CEO of Badger Meter. "In the first year of the Small Business Forward grant, The Water Council has already developed the first investment conference focused on connecting young water technology companies with potential investors at the largest annual water quality conference in the world, WEFTEC."
"Southeast Wisconsin has found its economic niche in water technology, and The Water Council is at the forefront of bringing that vision to fruition," stated Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker. "Through the contributions of private sector companies such as JPMorgan Chase, combined with investments from Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), The Water Council has proven to be an excellent example of the accomplishments possible through public-private partnerships."
"The Water Council and its programs to develop water technology businesses have become a success story for the City of Milwaukee, and the work on the World Water Hub has been truly impressive," said Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett. "The continued investment of a global company like JPMorgan Chase speaks volumes about how Milwaukee and The Water Council have jointly grown our freshwater economy."
See also:
"Water Council appoints new director of Alliance for Water Stewardship, North America"
"Water Council officially welcomed to OPIC Partners Program"
About The Water Council
The Water Council, the only organization of its kind in the U.S., was established in 2009 by Milwaukee-area businesses, education and government leaders. With more than 150 water technology companies in the Milwaukee area, the region's water industry is a $10.5-billion market and accounts for 4 percent of the world's total water business. The non-profit organization, consisting of more than 170 members, is linking together global water technology companies, innovative water entrepreneurs, acclaimed academic research programs and some of the nation's most intelligent water professionals. The Water Council is capturing the attention of the world and transforming the Milwaukee region into a World Water Hub for freshwater research, economic development and education. For more information, visit www.thewatercouncil.com.
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