About This Case Study
We sat down with John Curry, Director of Finance & Operations at Imagine H2O, to understand how the organisation manages its complex global operations. John leads Imagine H2O's internal operations, overseeing financial management, operations, and human resources.
With an MBA from UC Berkeley Haas School of Business and extensive experience managing operations at mission-driven organisations, John shared how over the last 4 years AcceleratorApp has become central to managing Imagine H2O's multiple programs, handling 600+ applications annually, and coordinating their extensive network of mentors and industry partners.
Introduction
Water scarcity affects billions of people globally, and solving this crisis requires innovative solutions at scale.
Imagine H2O has been at the forefront of water innovation since 2009. They support startups tackling some of the world's most pressing water challenges.
But managing multiple programs across different regions while evaluating hundreds of applications annually requires robust systems and efficient processes. This is where AcceleratorApp became their operational backbone.
What Imagine H2O Does
Imagine H2O operates as a comprehensive water innovation platform. They run multiple programs designed to support water technology startups at different stages, including the Accelerator, Imagine H2O Asia, and the Water Innovation Fund. Their work spans various program types and geographies, creating a global ecosystem for water innovation.
Their accelerator programs bring together water tech startups for intensive support. Startups get mentorship and connections with industry partners.
The organisation also manages grant distribution programs. They provide financial support to early-stage water startups to help them scale their solutions faster. This combination of acceleration, mentorship, and funding creates a comprehensive support system for water innovation entrepreneurs and supports water access, efficiency and conservation around the world.
Why They Chose AcceleratorApp
Before implementing AcceleratorApp, Imagine H2O managed their operations using a combination of tools that created inefficiencies and data silos.
The decision to move to a dedicated accelerator management platform came from need. They needed to centralise their growing operations. They needed to handle increasing application volumes.
Their requirements were specific. They needed to manage multiple programs simultaneously. They needed to process large application volumes. They needed to track startups across different stages. They needed to maintain relationships with their extensive network of mentors, judges, and industry partners.
AcceleratorApp stood out for a key reason. It offered an all-in-one solution that could replace their patchwork of tools. Our platform provided the flexibility to customise processes for different programs. The ability to handle complex workflows while keeping everything centralised made it the right choice for their scaling operations.
How They Use AcceleratorApp
Application Management at Scale
Imagine H2O processes over 600 applications annually. These come across their various programs.
Our platform's application funnel system allows them to create customised forms. Each program gets its own application while maintaining consistent evaluation standards.
The review process involves multiple stakeholders. Internal team members, external judges, and industry experts all work within our platform to evaluate applications.
This centralised approach eliminates email chains. No more scattered spreadsheets. The selection process becomes more efficient and transparent.
Multiple Program Management
Running several programs simultaneously requires careful coordination. It requires clear data separation.
AcceleratorApp enables Imagine H2O to manage everything in one place. Their accelerator, regional programs, and grant application processes all live within one platform. Each program's data stays organised and accessible.
Each program has its own customised workflow. From application to graduation, with specific milestones, deliverables, and evaluation criteria.
Our platform's flexibility allows them to adapt processes. Each program's unique requirements are met while maintaining operational consistency.
Mentor and Judge Coordination
Water innovation requires deep technical expertise. Imagine H2O works with an extensive network of industry experts, investors, and technical specialists.
Our platform helps coordinate this network. It provides clear visibility into startup needs, expert availability, and matching opportunities.
Mentors and judges can access our platform to review startups. They provide feedback and track progress over time. This creates continuity in relationships. Valuable expertise gets captured and shared across the organisation.
Results and Impact
The implementation of AcceleratorApp has delivered measurable improvements:
- Operational Efficiency: Centralising all programs on a single platform has eliminated the need to jump between multiple tools and significantly reduced administrative overhead.
- Data Accessibility: Having all startup information, applications, and progress tracking in one place makes it easier to generate reports, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions about program improvements.
- Scalability: Our platform has enabled Imagine H2O to grow its operations and launch new programs without proportionally increasing administrative burden.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Mentors, judges, and partners have a better experience working with a professional, centralised platform rather than receiving scattered emails and documents.
Looking Forward
Imagine H2O continues to expand their impact in the water sector. AcceleratorApp remains central to their operations.
Our platform's flexibility allows them to experiment with new program formats. They can expand into new regions. They can continuously improve their processes based on data and feedback.
Their success demonstrates something important. The right operational infrastructure can amplify an organisation's impact.
By reducing time spent on administrative tasks, Imagine H2O's team can focus more energy on what matters most. They support entrepreneurs solving the world's water challenges.
This case study highlights Imagine H2O's experience using AcceleratorApp to manage its global water innovation programs and support water technology startups.