Kumulus-1 Amphore

We are addressing the escalating challenge of access to safe drinking water, particularly in regions like the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), as well as southern Europe. This problem is global and not limited to this region, affecting approximately 771 million individuals worldwide, according to UNICEF and WHO. In the MENA region alone, the situation is dire, with water quality in the national piping systems deteriorating rapidly. Even in countries like Tunisia, considered middle-income, over 200,000 families lack access to a safe water source.

One significant contributing factor to this problem is the exacerbation of water scarcity during dry summer months. This issue has become increasingly prevalent in countries like Spain and Italy as well, where water shortages have become common over the past few years. According to the European Environment Agency, Spain experienced severe drought conditions in recent years, with significant impacts on water resources and agriculture. Similarly, Italy has faced challenges with water scarcity, particularly in southern regions like Sicily and Sardinia.

Factors contributing to the problem include inadequate infrastructure for water distribution, pollution of existing water sources, and dwindling natural resevoirsto population growth and climate change. These challenges highlight the urgent need for innovative solutions to provide autonomous access to safe drinking water.

Our solution, Kumulus, offers just that, aiming to tackle the issue by harnessing the power of nature and combining it with innovation. Our systems replicate the dew phenomena to extract water from humidity in the air. When coupled with solar panels, the system, already independent of traditional water infrastructure, becomes fully autonomous. This approach  also mitigates the environmental impact associated with conventional drinking water methods such as desalination and bottled water. 

The Kumulus machine is an atmospheric water generator. It's a machine that extracts humidity from the air and turns it into fresh drinking water.
Our machine is able to produce around 30 liters of water per day through the condensation process: air goes into the machine, it is cooled down, which causes water droplets to be created. Those droplets are collected and go through a proprietary process of filtration and mineralization, then get stocked in a tank that allows them to be accessible directly through the tap in the machine. The Kumulus is designed to be intelligent and accessible: with a simple press of a button, users can fill their glass or bottle.
In addition, it can be remotely controlled and monitored through a web or mobile app and can be fully autonomous when coupled with solar panels, becoming the perfect solution for drinking water in rural and remote areas.

Our machines are also interconnected, sending data to the server to optimize water production and energy consumption based on the weather information collected onsite and in similar conditions, and alerting the user when needed.
To maintain the highest quality of water, the filters and mineralizers need to be changed periodically, where the machine will alert the user and Kumulus of such requirements. Maintenance and operations are handled by the Kumulus team or agents nearby to ensure that the users and clients retain minimal concern and enjoy carefree access to drinking water.
When replacing bottled water, each machine allows its users to avoid up to 500kgs of plastic, and 2 tons of CO2 emissions per year, in addition to hefty logistics of transportation and storage.
This video showcases one of the pilot projects that Kumulus worked on, serving water to over 100 students in a rural school in tunisia

Kumulus is dedicated to offering a more sustainable solution to drinking water and bridging the gap for water access. We're tackling this challenge with a multifaceted approach. Firstly, through collaborations with NGOs and CSR initiatives, we're deploying our machines to communities lacking access to clean water, such as schools and villages. We streamline the funding process and ensure efficient project execution to maximize our impact.

Additionally, we're partnering with hospitality businesses, offices, and factories, enabling them to offer eco-friendly water to guests and employees. This not only promotes environmental sustainability but also delivers substantial long-term cost savings on water expenses.
By targeting various segments of the population and addressing both ecological and economic concerns, we are making strides toward ensuring access to clean drinking water for all, while minimizing enviromental consequences. 

The Kumulus team is not only diverse in its background and expertise but also deeply connected to the communities we serve. Many of us hail from the MENA region, where unreliable water infrastructure and frequent shortages are everyday realities. Drawing from our firsthand experiences, we've embedded community feedback into every aspect of our solution. From the initial design stages to ongoing functionality updates, our approach has been guided by the insights and needs of our community members.

We believe in practicing what we preach, which is why our main office exclusively serves water produced by our own machines. Prior to launching, we conducted extensive taste tests internally, ensuring that our product met the highest standards of quality and freshness. Additionally, we embrace a philosophy of minimalism, advocating for a more sustainable future by encouraging responsible consumption.

Our commitment to community engagement extends beyond the development phase. We maintain regular communication with our clients and users, soliciting feedback and suggestions to continually improve our processes and technology. For example, based on user input, we developed a water cooling system to enhance the freshness of the water produced by our machines, enhancing the overall user experience. By prioritizing community input and involvement, we ensure that our solution remains relevant, accessible, and effective for those who need it most.

Kumulus has successfully developed, certified and deployed its first product. We have signed over 55 machines since the official start of the sales process (June 2023 ) and delivered most of them to our 20+ clients between France, Spain, and Tunisia. With each machine serving the daily water needs of between 15 and 20 people per day, we are serving upwards of 1000 beneficiary every day. 

On the research side, Kumulus continues to adapt its technology to be more resilient and future proof, as well as improving accessibility for the users. We have deployed 3 patents so far with more on the way to protect the technological innovation within, which concern quality of life features.

We aim to enhance our research and development efforts to continuously improve our technology and develop new product. We recognize the importance of accessing specialized expertise in different fields and building a strong network of support that can show us the way. Of the most important fields we seek, we can mention renewable energies, thermodynamics research, and advanced water technologies. Solve can play a crucial role in connecting us with renowned experts, including PhDs and researchers, who can provide valuable insights and guidance in these areas. Additionally, Solve's network can facilitate partnerships with academic institutions and research centers to collaborate on our R&D projects, helping us continuously drive innovation in the field of water generators. 
On a second level, Kumulus will soon be raising its seed funding round to develop a new product line and access new markets. The capital oriented support that the Solve network can provide would be valuable in reaching our fundraising goals in this upcoming round.