Netherlands-based company targets international expansion with innovative software-as-a-service platform for water utilities

Hulo, a Netherlands-based water technology company specializing in AI-driven leak detection systems, has successfully raised €2.3 million in seed funding to accelerate its international growth strategy. The funding round positions the company to address one of the most pressing challenges facing global water infrastructure: the significant loss of treated water through aging network systems.

Investment Details and Strategic Backing

The seed round was led by VP Capital and Lumo Labs, with additional participation from Vanagon, Rabobank, the FOM, and the Netherlands Enabling Water Technology fund (NEW). This diverse investor base reflects the growing recognition of water technology as a critical sector for both environmental sustainability and commercial opportunity.

"Water scarcity is emerging as one of the world's most pressing environmental constraints, with around 30% of treated water lost globally, often through aging water network infrastructure," explained Erica van Eeghen, senior manager ventures at VP Capital. "Hulo's ability to detect leaks early, using advanced AI rather than expensive sensors, is exactly the kind of lean, scalable innovation that fits our investment lens."

Technology Innovation and Market Approach

Hulo's software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform represents a significant advancement in water network management, utilizing pressure and flow data from existing utility systems to detect, localize, and prioritize leaks and other anomalies. The system combines artificial intelligence with physics-based models to analyze network behavior dynamically, offering utilities actionable insights without requiring additional hardware infrastructure or district metered areas (DMAs).

This hardware-agnostic approach differentiates Hulo from traditional leak detection methods that often depend on physical inspections or hydraulic modeling. By drawing directly from real-time operational data and learning from network flow and pressure changes, the platform can integrate seamlessly into existing utility operations.

Industry Context and Market Opportunity

The global water management sector faces increasing pressure from aging infrastructure, climate change, and growing demand. Traditional approaches to leak detection have proven inadequate for addressing the scale of water loss, creating a significant market opportunity for innovative technology solutions.

Hulo's emergence from Wetsus, the European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology in Leeuwarden, demonstrates the strength of the Netherlands' water management ecosystem and its capacity for technological innovation in this critical sector.

Expansion Strategy and Future Development

The funding will enable Hulo to accelerate deployments across Europe, the UK, and Latin America while expanding its capabilities in AI, network analytics, cybersecurity, and customer success. This international expansion strategy reflects the global nature of water infrastructure challenges and the scalability of the company's technology platform.

"The future of water infrastructure requires that digital innovation integrates with the operational reality of today's networks," noted Robbert Lodewijks, co-founder of Hulo. "We're building solutions that are both powerful and practical – enabling water utilities to take action without overhauling their systems."

Industry Impact and Sustainability

The investment in Hulo represents broader industry recognition of the critical role that technology plays in addressing water sustainability challenges. With approximately 30% of treated water lost globally through infrastructure inefficiencies, AI-driven solutions like Hulo's platform offer the potential for significant environmental and economic impact.

The company's focus on practical, implementable solutions that work within existing infrastructure constraints positions it well to capture market share in the growing water technology sector while contributing to global sustainability goals.