Kumulus Water, a Franco-Tunisian climate tech startup turning air into drinking water, has raised $3.5 million in seed funding to accelerate its mission of providing sustainable, decentralized water access to underserved regions. The round was led by Bpifrance (via France 2030 SGPI and the Île-de-France Region), with participation from PlusVC, Khalys Venture, Flat6Labs, Spadel, and several family offices and founders from across Europe and North Africa.
Founded in 2021 by Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid, Kumulus Water has developed atmospheric water generators (AWGs) that extract moisture from the air and convert it into clean, drinkable water. Designed for off-grid use, the compact systems require no infrastructure, making them ideal for remote communities, schools, hotels, and refugee camps in regions where water scarcity and unreliable utilities are a persistent challenge.
“Our solution provides a truly local and sustainable alternative to bottled water,” said Clément Yvorra, Global Business Development Manager at Spadel. “Kumulus’ ability to generate water onsite without the need for packaging or transportation is what convinced us.”
Each unit, resembling a sleek vending machine, cools filtered air until it condenses into droplets, which are then purified through multi-stage filtration. A single unit can produce between 20 and 30 liters of potable water daily and can run on standard electricity or solar power. Importantly, the machines are fully autonomous and internet-connected, allowing remote monitoring, output tracking, and performance adjustments through a mobile or web app based on local climate conditions.
The new funds will support the rollout of the startup’s next-generation model—Kumulus Boks—a high-capacity line of AWGs tailored for industrial-scale or community-level deployment. With this evolution, Kumulus aims to serve a broader range of use cases, including humanitarian relief efforts, disaster zones, and commercial clients in water-stressed markets.
The company has already deployed units in various geographies including Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. Now, with fresh capital in hand, Kumulus plans to deepen its footprint in France, Spain, and Tunisia while preparing to launch in Saudi Arabia—a country where sustainable water innovation is in high demand.
Kumulus’ approach aligns with global efforts to develop climate-resilient infrastructure, especially in regions grappling with desertification, population growth, and worsening water stress. Its modular, plug-and-play technology offers a compelling alternative to expensive, centralized systems—addressing both sustainability and access with a single innovation.
By blending smart design, renewable energy compatibility, and real-time data insights, Kumulus Water is emerging as a pioneer in decentralized water production. The startup’s scalable tech not only brings drinking water closer to where it’s needed most, but also redefines what’s possible in water sustainability.
