Openversum

Openversum

Openversum

Empowering local entrepreneurs with clean water tech to build climate-resilient, low-carbon businesses in underserved communities.

Zürich, Switzerland

CHE

For-profit, including B-Corp or similar models

In rural communities around the world, access to clean drinking water is becoming more difficult due to the impacts of climate change. By 2050, an estimated 30% more people will lack access to safe, affordable drinking water due to climate change’s effects on water sources. As extreme weather events such as floods, droughts, and unpredictable rainfall become more frequent, traditional water infrastructure becomes less reliable, especially in remote areas. Currently, millions of people are still forced to boil water, a method that contributes to significant deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions, further exacerbating climate challenges. In many regions, families rely on plastic bottled water, creating a cycle of waste and pollution. This wasteful practice not only affects local ecosystems but also amplifies the climate crisis. Over 300 million tons of plastic are produced every year, with a large portion coming from bottled water. In Uganda, for example, 83% of households reported at least one case of diarrheal illness in the last month, with many families unable to treat their water properly. The inability to afford safe drinking water leads to illness, lost school days, and decreased productivity. Our solution addresses these issues by offering a sustainable, low-carbon water filtration system that empowers communities.

Openversum is a decentralized water solution that turns safe water access into a local opportunity. Our model is based on microfranchising: we train and equip entrepreneurs—mostly women—to assemble, sell, and maintain household water filters. They earn an income, become trusted service providers in their communities, and help close the gap between climate solutions and the people most affected. The filters are Swiss-designed, gravity-based, and refillable. They remove 99.99999% of bacteria, 99% of heavy metals, with the potential to leverage membranes produced with fewer materials and a much lower carbon footprint than traditional options. With a flow rate of up to 10 liters per hour, the filters are fast, durable, and look good—something families are proud to keep in their homes! Openversum is a system. Through our digital platform, our entrepreneurs access training, customer data, inventory management, and GPS-based tracking. This allows us to support them while collecting real-time data for partners, and to showcase our entrepreneurs the real impact they have on their community. We care about the three Ps: people, through jobs and better health; planet, through low-emission design; and profit, by building a model that grows with the entrepreneurs who run it.

Openversum serves rural families, particularly women and youth, in areas highly vulnerable to climate change, water scarcity, and migration. These communities are underserved, with unreliable access to safe water, and will face even greater challenges as climate change exacerbates water shortages and drives displacement. In rural Colombia, 62% of families already switch water sources due to poor quality and inconsistency. 81% of households have water contaminated with fecal bacteria. Many do not treat it due to the high costs of boiling or bottled water, leaving women, who are responsible for water collection, to shoulder the burden. As climate change worsens, these communities will be among the most affected by water scarcity and migration. Women and youth, often unemployed or working in informal jobs, have great potential but lack access to opportunities for growth and stability. Openversum empowers women and youth by providing sustainable access to clean water through locally run businesses. This model helps communities build climate resilience by addressing water scarcity, creating local economic opportunities, and reducing reliance on overburdened health systems.