AquiFlow

AquiFlow is addressing the critical problem of urban water management challenges in Tanzania and globally. In Tanzania, over 60% of the urban population lives in informal settlements, where stormwater runoff and inadequate drainage lead to frequent flooding and groundwater depletion.

Nationally, 90% of Tanzania's urban population lacks access to adequate sanitation, and the country faces severe groundwater depletion, with aquifer levels dropping by up to 3 meters per year in some areas. These issues are exacerbated by the prevalence of impervious concrete surfaces, which prevent rainwater from naturally infiltrating the ground.

Globally, urban areas cover only 3% of the Earth's land surface, yet they are responsible for 60-80% of energy consumption and 75% of carbon emissions. The proliferation of non-porous urban surfaces disrupts natural water cycles, leading to challenges like urban flooding, water pollution, and groundwater scarcity that affect billions of people worldwide.

AquiFlow's permeable concrete solutions directly address these problems by capturing, filtering, and naturally infiltrating stormwater where it falls. This not only alleviates urban flooding and reduces the burden on aging water infrastructure, but also replenishes groundwater reserves, promoting long-term water security and resilience in rapidly urbanizing areas like Tanzania. By using reclaimed industrial materials in its concrete production, AquiFlow also helps reduce the carbon footprint of urban development, contributing to a more sustainable and livable built environment.

AquiFlow's innovative solution is a patented and patent-pending permeable concrete technology designed to revolutionize urban water management and address the growing challenges of urban flooding and climate change. Our permeable concrete replaces traditional impervious paved surfaces like streets, sidewalks, and parking lots, transforming them into stormwater-capturing systems.

When rainwater falls on these porous concrete surfaces, it seamlessly permeates through the material, undergoing filtration to remove pollutants, before naturally infiltrating into the ground and recharging local groundwater aquifers. This process mimics the natural water cycle, restoring the balance that is disrupted by traditional non-porous urban infrastructure, while also reducing the risk of urban flooding during extreme weather events.

The key innovation behind AquiFlow's technology is the unique composition and engineering of the permeable concrete mixture. By incorporating reclaimed industrial materials, the concrete production process significantly reduces the carbon footprint compared to traditional concrete manufacturing. Additionally, the patented design of the concrete surface ensures optimal permeability and filtration capabilities, maximizing the capture and infiltration of stormwater.

AquiFlow operates as a design-build contractor, overseeing the entire project lifecycle from engineering and design to construction and quality control. This asset-light business model allows the company to efficiently implement its sustainable solutions across a wide range of urban infrastructure projects, from residential developments to commercial complexes and municipal initiatives, helping communities become more resilient to the impacts of climate change.

By combining cutting-edge technology, a forward-thinking business approach, and a commitment to environmental sustainability, AquiFlow is poised to revolutionize the way cities manage their water resources and infrastructure, mitigating the risks of urban flooding and adapting to the changing climate.

AquiFlow's solutions primarily serve urban populations in Tanzania and other rapidly growing cities, particularly those living in informal settlements who are disproportionately affected by urban water management challenges.

In Tanzania, over 11 million people, or 60% of the urban population, live in informal settlements, where inadequate drainage infrastructure and the prevalence of non-porous surfaces lead to frequent flooding that disrupts daily life, damages homes and property, and poses serious health risks. These communities also often lack access to reliable groundwater sources, forcing residents to rely on expensive and potentially unsafe water supplies.

AquiFlow's permeable concrete technology directly addresses the needs of these underserved urban populations by:

1. Mitigating urban flooding: The porous concrete surfaces capture and infiltrate stormwater on-site, reducing the risk of flooding that affects an estimated 5 million people in Tanzania's informal settlements each year.

2. Replenishing groundwater: The natural infiltration of filtered stormwater recharges local aquifers, helping to restore groundwater reserves and improve access to clean, affordable water for the 9 million urban residents in Tanzania who currently lack access to adequate sanitation.

3. Promoting livability and resilience: By reducing the impacts of urban water challenges, AquiFlow's solutions contribute to the creation of more livable, resilient, and sustainable communities, improving the overall quality of life for millions of urban residents in Tanzania and other rapidly urbanizing regions worldwide.

By targeting these underserved populations and addressing their critical water management needs, AquiFlow's innovative solutions have the potential to significantly improve the lives of millions of people in Tanzania and other rapidly growing cities globally.

AquiFlow's team is uniquely positioned to deliver its innovative permeable concrete solutions to the underserved urban communities in Tanzania that we aim to serve.

Our CEO and co-founder, Idda Shirima, is a civil engineer who was raised in an informal settlement in Dar es Salaam. Idda's personal experience with the challenges of urban water management in these communities has informed the design and implementation of AquiFlow's solutions, ensuring they are tailored to the specific needs and contexts of our target population.

Joining Idda on the AquiFlow team are:

- Abdallah Msofe, our Head of Engineering, who has a decade of experience designing and implementing sustainable infrastructure projects in Tanzanian cities.

- Rehema Namamba, our Community Engagement Manager, who has deep roots in the informal settlements of Mwanza and has built strong relationships with local leaders and residents.

- Juma Mchome, our Chief Operating Officer, who previously worked for a leading Tanzanian construction firm, bringing invaluable expertise in large-scale project delivery.

- Zainab Mwakibete, our Chief Financial Officer, who has a background in microfinance and understands the financial needs and constraints of low-income urban communities.

Throughout the development and implementation of our solutions, we have actively engaged with community representatives, local authorities, and grassroots organizations to ensure their voices and priorities are central to our work. This collaborative approach has allowed us to design permeable concrete systems that not only address the technical challenges of urban water management, but also align with the social, economic, and cultural contexts of the communities we serve.

By leveraging the diverse experiences and deep connections of our Tanzanian-led team, AquiFlow is well-positioned to deliver sustainable, community-driven solutions that transform the lives of millions of urban residents in Tanzania and beyond.

AquiFlow is currently at the Pilot stage. We have completed the research, design, and initial testing of our permeable concrete technology, and have now launched our first pilot project in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

In the Dar es Salaam pilot, we have installed our permeable concrete on a 1-kilometer stretch of urban street in an informal settlement that experiences frequent flooding. Over the past 6 months, we have been closely monitoring the performance of the system, gathering data on stormwater infiltration rates, groundwater recharge, and the overall impact on the community.

The initial results from the pilot have been very promising. We have observed a significant reduction in street flooding during heavy rainfall events, with the permeable concrete capturing and filtering over 80% of the stormwater. This has directly benefited over 2,000 residents in the surrounding informal settlement, who no longer have to deal with the disruptions and health hazards caused by urban flooding.

Additionally, our monitoring data has shown a measurable increase in local groundwater levels, indicating that the infiltration process is successfully recharging the aquifer. This is a critical outcome, as it demonstrates the potential for our solution to improve long-term water security for the community.

Based on the learnings from this initial pilot, we are now refining our design and business model to prepare for broader implementation across Dar es Salaam and other Tanzanian cities. We are also in the process of securing additional funding to scale up our operations and reach more underserved urban communities.

While we are still in the early stages of our journey, the successful launch of the Dar es Salaam pilot has validated the technical viability and community impact of AquiFlow's innovative permeable concrete solution. We are confident that with continued refinement and expansion, our technology can play a transformative role in addressing the urgent urban water management challenges faced by cities in Tanzania and across the developing world.

We are applying to Solve because we believe the program can provide critical support to help AquiFlow overcome key barriers to scaling our permeable concrete solutions in Tanzania and other developing markets.

While our pilot project in Dar es Salaam has demonstrated the technical viability and community impact of our technology, we still face significant hurdles in terms of securing the necessary funding, market access, and partnerships to drive wider adoption.

Firstly, as a pioneering technology in the Tanzanian context, we require additional investment capital to refine our business model, optimize our production processes, and expand our field installations. The Solve program's access to a global network of funders and investors could be instrumental in helping us identify and secure the financial resources needed to scale our operations.

Secondly, we recognize the importance of building strategic partnerships to navigate the complex cultural and regulatory landscape of the Tanzanian construction industry. Solve's extensive connections with local organizations, government agencies, and industry leaders could provide invaluable guidance and facilitate the necessary collaborations for us to successfully deploy our solutions at scale.

Finally, the technical expertise and peer-to-peer learning opportunities offered by the Solve program could help us address critical engineering and operational challenges as we work to optimize the performance and cost-effectiveness of our permeable concrete systems. Engaging with a diverse community of innovators and subject matter experts would be tremendously valuable in strengthening our technical capabilities.

By leveraging the unique resources and support of the Solve program, AquiFlow believes we can overcome these barriers and accelerate the adoption of our sustainable urban water management solutions, ultimately improving the lives of millions of people in Tanzania and beyond.

AquiFlow's permeable concrete solution is innovative in several key ways:

Firstly, it represents a radical departure from traditional urban infrastructure design, which has long relied on impervious surfaces that disrupt natural water cycles and exacerbate challenges like flooding and groundwater depletion. By replacing these non-porous materials with our engineered permeable concrete, we are able to capture, filter, and naturally infiltrate stormwater, restoring the balance of the urban water system.

This innovative approach not only alleviates immediate problems like urban flooding, but also addresses long-term sustainability concerns by replenishing local groundwater reserves. By mimicking natural hydrological processes, AquiFlow's solution has the potential to catalyze a paradigm shift in the way cities approach water management, moving away from costly and environmentally damaging gray infrastructure toward more nature-based, resilient solutions.

Moreover, AquiFlow's patented concrete composition, which utilizes reclaimed industrial materials, represents a significant advancement in sustainable construction practices. By reducing the carbon footprint of concrete production, our technology challenges the status quo and paves the way for a more environmentally responsible approach to urban development.

Importantly, AquiFlow's innovative solution is not limited to a single application; it can be deployed across a wide range of urban infrastructure projects, from residential developments to municipal roads and public spaces. This versatility allows the technology to have a transformative impact on the broader landscape of sustainable cities and communities.

By combining cutting-edge engineering, a commitment to environmental sustainability, and a scalable business model, AquiFlow is poised to catalyze a fundamental shift in how the world approaches the critical challenge of urban water management, with far-reaching implications for the communities we serve.

AquiFlow's theory of change for addressing urban water management challenges and building climate resilience is grounded in the fundamental principle of mimicking nature's own water cycle.

Our permeable concrete technology replaces traditional impervious surfaces, such as streets and sidewalks, with a porous material that allows rainwater to seamlessly permeate through and infiltrate into the ground. This process of on-site stormwater capture and groundwater recharge directly addresses two of the key problems faced by rapidly growing cities in Tanzania, where over 11 million people, or 60% of the urban population, live in informal settlements:

1. Urban flooding: By reducing the accumulation of stormwater on the surface, our permeable concrete solutions have the potential to mitigate the risk of flooding that affects an estimated 5 million people in Tanzania's informal settlements each year, reducing disruptions to daily life, property damage, and health hazards.

2. Groundwater depletion: The natural infiltration of filtered rainwater replenishes local aquifers, helping to restore groundwater reserves and improve access to clean, affordable water for the 9 million urban residents in Tanzania who currently lack adequate sanitation.

We have evidence from our pilot project in Dar es Salaam that our permeable concrete can capture and infiltrate over 80% of stormwater, significantly reducing the occurrence of urban flooding in the target community. Additionally, our monitoring data has shown a measurable increase in groundwater levels, indicating the solution's ability to contribute to long-term water security.

By addressing these two critical water management challenges, AquiFlow's innovative technology has the potential to transform the lives of millions of urban residents in Tanzania and other developing countries, improving their resilience to the impacts of climate change and creating more livable, sustainable communities.

AquiFlow's primary impact goals are to:

1. Mitigate urban flooding and associated health/safety risks for 5 million people living in informal settlements in Tanzania by 2027.
2. Increase groundwater availability and access to clean, affordable water for 9 million urban residents in Tanzania by 2027.
3. Contribute to the creation of more livable, resilient, and sustainable communities, improving the overall quality of life for millions of urban residents in Tanzania and other rapidly urbanizing regions.

To measure progress towards these goals, we are tracking the following key indicators:

Flood Mitigation:
- Number of households/individuals directly benefiting from reduced urban flooding
- Percentage reduction in street/neighborhood inundation during heavy rainfall events

Groundwater Replenishment:
- Increase in local groundwater levels (measured in meters)
- Number of households/individuals with improved access to clean, affordable water

Community Resilience:
- Reduction in health incidents related to water-borne diseases
- Decrease in economic losses due to flood-related disruptions
- Improvement in community satisfaction and perceived quality of life

We have established baseline data through our initial pilot project in Dar es Salaam and are now scaling up data collection and monitoring efforts as we expand our installations across Tanzania.

In addition to our internal tracking, we are also engaging with independent research partners to conduct periodic impact assessments and gather qualitative feedback from the communities we serve. This will allow us to continuously refine our approach and ensure we are creating meaningful, lasting change.

By rigorously measuring our progress against these impact goals, AquiFlow remains accountable to the communities we serve and committed to maximizing our positive social and environmental contributions.

At the core of AquiFlow's innovative solution is our proprietary permeable concrete technology. This engineered material is designed to replace traditional impervious concrete and asphalt surfaces, allowing rainwater to seamlessly permeate through and infiltrate the ground.

The key innovation lies in our patented concrete composition, which incorporates a carefully selected blend of recycled industrial materials, such as crushed glass, ceramic waste, and reclaimed aggregate. These reclaimed materials not only reduce the carbon footprint of concrete production, but also impart unique properties that enhance the porosity and structural integrity of the final product.

Our R&D team has extensively tested and optimized the concrete mix design to achieve the optimal balance between permeability, compressive strength, and durability. The resulting permeable concrete is capable of capturing and infiltrating over 80% of stormwater, far exceeding the performance of conventional porous pavement systems.

Crucially, the technology is also designed to be cost-effective and scalable, with a production process that can be easily replicated and adapted to local construction materials and practices. This ensures that our solutions remain accessible and implementable within the resource-constrained contexts of rapidly urbanizing regions like Tanzania.

Beyond the core concrete technology, AquiFlow also integrates complementary digital and data-driven tools to enhance the monitoring and management of our urban water infrastructure systems. This includes remote sensors, cloud-based analytics, and digital twins that provide real-time insights into stormwater flows, groundwater levels, and system performance.

By combining cutting-edge materials science, sustainable construction practices, and advanced data analytics, AquiFlow's holistic technology platform aims to transform the way cities manage their water resources, paving the way for more climate-resilient and livable urban communities.

AquiFlow's solution team consists of 14 members in total, with the following breakdown:

4 full-time staff:
- 1 CEO
- 1 COO
- 1 Lead Engineer
- 1 Community Liaison

6 part-time staff:
- 2 Civil Engineers
- 2 Business Development Managers
- 1 Marketing Coordinator
- 1 Data Analyst

4 contractors:
- 2 materials science experts
- 1 GIS specialist
- 1 construction project manager

This diverse team brings together expertise in engineering, materials science, data analytics, business development, and community engagement to ensure the successful design, implementation, and scaling of AquiFlow's innovative permeable concrete solution across Tanzania and beyond.

AquiFlow has been working on developing and refining our permeable concrete solution for 13 months. The core team, including the CEO, COO, and Lead Engineer, has been dedicated to the project since its inception, building on their prior experience in sustainable infrastructure and urban water management. Over the past year, we have completed research and prototyping, secured funding for our pilot in Dar es Salaam, and successfully launched the first installation. The learnings from this pilot have been instrumental in optimizing our solution and preparing for broader implementation across Tanzania as we scale our impact in driving innovation.

At AquiFlow, we are deeply committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive team that reflects the communities we serve. This is not only a moral imperative, but also a strategic priority that we believe is essential for driving innovation and maximizing our positive impact.

Our leadership team is intentionally composed of individuals from varied backgrounds, with diverse perspectives, skills, and lived experiences. Our CEO is a woman, our COO is from a minority ethnic group, and our Lead Engineer is a young professional who grew up in an informal settlement in Dar es Salaam. This diversity at the top sets the tone for the entire organization and helps to foster an open, collaborative, and inclusive work culture.

Beyond our leadership, we have also implemented specific policies and practices to actively reduce barriers to opportunity and ensure all team members feel welcomed and empowered. This includes:

- Implementing blind resume screening to mitigate unconscious bias in hiring
- Providing equitable access to training, mentorship, and professional development opportunities
- Establishing flexible work arrangements and family-friendly benefits to accommodate diverse needs
- Fostering an environment of open dialogue, where all voices are heard and respected
- Partnering with local community organizations to recruit from underrepresented groups

Moving forward, we are committed to continuously evaluating and improving our diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. This includes setting measurable goals for increasing the representation of women, racial/ethnic minorities, and other marginalized groups across our team, as well as regularly assessing our progress and adjusting our strategies accordingly.

By embracing diversity and inclusion as core values, AquiFlow believes we can unlock the full creative potential of our team and drive more impactful, sustainable solutions for the communities we serve.

AquiFlow's business model is centered on providing affordable, sustainable infrastructure solutions that address the pressing challenges of urban water management in Tanzania and other developing regions.

Our primary customers are local government agencies, municipal authorities, and real estate developers responsible for urban infrastructure. We offer them our proprietary permeable concrete technology as a cost-effective, environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional impervious surfaces.

The key value we provide is two-fold: 

1) Flood Mitigation - our permeable concrete can capture and infiltrate up to 80% of stormwater, reducing flood risks and associated damages.

2) Groundwater Recharge - by allowing rainwater percolation, our solutions help replenish local aquifers, enhancing long-term water security.

To ensure affordability, we have priced our permeable concrete at a 15-20% premium over conventional concrete, with an average cost of $80 per cubic meter. During our pilot in Dar es Salaam, we generated $23,000 in revenue, demonstrating the viability of this pricing model.

Beyond product sales, AquiFlow aims to generate additional income streams through installation, maintenance, and monitoring services, as well as potential carbon credits and performance-based contracts with municipalities.

By aligning our business model with the critical needs of urban communities, AquiFlow is positioned to scale our impact and transform the landscape of sustainable water infrastructure in Tanzania and beyond.

AquiFlow's plan for achieving long-term financial sustainability is a multi-pronged approach that leverages a combination of revenue streams:

1. Product Sales: The core of our business model is the sale of our proprietary permeable concrete technology to local government agencies, municipal authorities, and real estate developers in Tanzania and other target markets. During our successful pilot project in Dar es Salaam, we generated $23,000 in revenue from the installation of our permeable concrete solutions, demonstrating the viability of this revenue stream.

2. Service Contracts: In addition to product sales, AquiFlow is pursuing service contracts with municipal governments and infrastructure developers to provide installation, maintenance, and monitoring services for our permeable concrete systems. This recurring revenue model will help stabilize our cash flow and ensure the long-term sustainability of our installations.

3: Grant Funding: To support our initial R&D, pilot testing, and expansion efforts, we are in final discussions to secure $180,000 in grant funding from reputable organizations like the Tanzania Climate Innovation Center and the UN Sustainable Development Goals Partnership Facility. These grants have been instrumental in de-risking our solution and positioning us for scale.

4. Impact Investment: Looking ahead, AquiFlow is actively pursuing impact investment capital to fuel our growth strategy. We have had promising discussions with several impact-focused venture capital firms and development finance institutions that have expressed strong interest in our solution and its potential for scalable, sustainable impact.

By diversifying our revenue streams and securing a mix of product sales, service contracts, grants, and impact investment, AquiFlow is confident in our ability to achieve long-term financial sustainability. The success of our pilot project and the ongoing support from prestigious funders provide a solid foundation for our scaling plans.