Micro Water Facility

microwaterfacility

Business Developer, Matchmaker, Financial Engineer

Micro Water Facility supports innovative, small-scale technologies for improving access to clean drinking water and proper sanitation in developing countries. Micro Water Facility is a unique broker between entrepreneurs and financiers, between demand and supply of inventive products, and between parties that want to contribute towards realising the Millennium Development Goals.

Conducting business in developing countries requires a specific approach, an approach characterised by understanding and adapting to local conditions, and the ability to find the right financing arrangements and enter into often unconventional partnership agreements. Micro Water Facility advises businesspeople and project organisations on the appropriate strategy to be followed and acts as an intermediary in finding the right partners.

A meticulous result-driven approach

The core activities of Micro Water Facility (MWF) are advising entrepreneurs and project organisations on preparing sound business plans, matching potential partners and developing appropriate financing arrangements.

MWF operates according to a meticulous and transparent method. Each project begins with a specific request, either from an entrepreneur or business that wants to develop their product, prototype or idea, or from a local development organisation that is looking for an appropriate technology to provide the local population with clean drinking water or proper sanitation. MWF then examines the request and takes the following actions:

• Quick Scan: analysis of the application

MWF reviews the application against a number of criteria: is it a small-scale product, can it be applied in developing countries, is it financially attractive, and are there any potential partners? The outcome of this scan determines whether MWF will take on the assignment or not. If the result of the Quick Scan is positive, MWF agrees on the next steps with the applicant.



• Business Development: drawing up a plan
Whatever stage of development a product is in, whether it is in the initial design stage or is ready for market introduction, a good business plan is essential. MWF guides the plan preparation process, provides advice and if necessary calls in additional expertise.




• Matchmaking: bringing partners together
MWF selects suitable partners. Drawing on its extensive network, MWF seeks partners which complement each other and which together increase the chances of success. MWF brings these partners together, facilitates the get-acquainted process and lays the foundation for fruitful collaboration.




• Financing: putting together an appropriate financial package
A business plan tailored to local conditions provides the basis for a positive risk/return analysis and determines the right mix of risk capital, (soft) loans and, if relevant, donor funds. MWF draws up an application for a loan, finds suitable investors and advises the applicant during any subsequent negotiations.



MWF is able to bring together parties from different cultures and backgrounds, parties which would otherwise rarely have the opportunity to meet. With its expertise in the field of appropriate technology and financing, MWF is able to increase the chances of a successful market introduction.


An enterprising not-for-profit organisation

MWF is an initiative of the Ecological Management Foundation and is an independent foundation.