NEW TECH FOODS

H2Ok Innovations has secured $12.42 million in Series A funding led by Greycroft, with additional investment from 2048 Ventures and Construct Capital.

Founded in 2021, the Massachusetts-based startup develops patented inline sensors and AI software designed to optimise factory operations, including reducing Clean-in-Place (CIP) and product changeover times. Its technology can be integrated into existing industrial piping systems and processes one million data points per second, providing real-time monitoring and automated control.

The company’s customers include Unilever, AB InBev, The Coca-Cola Company and Danone. AB InBev is expanding H2Ok’s technology across all six of its global regions and breweries.

H2Ok's CTO, David Lu, reported that the company's systems can reduce CIP and changeover times by 15% and cut water, energy and chemical usage by 10-20%. The technology is currently used in sectors including consumer packaged goods and hyperscale data centres.

The funding will support product development and international scaling. As part of the investment, Greycroft partner Jim Moffat, former global CEO of Deloitte Consulting, will join H2Ok’s board.

Annie Lu, CEO of H2Ok Innovations, said: "Post-Covid food and beverage manufacturers are besieged by supply chain constraints, rising costs, evolving safety standards and shifting consumer demands. Our turnkey solution gives manufacturers production time back to address these macro challenges and still drive innovation. We’re excited to bring science-backed proprietary sensors and industry-focused AI that delivers both the sustainability and speed that manufacturers need to thrive in today’s environment.”