The Future of Health Doesn’t Start with More Technology. It Starts with Clean Water.
Every day, healthcare depends on water. It sterilizes instruments, hydrates patients, keeps spaces sanitary, and sustains life far beyond hospital walls. Yet the systems that deliver clean, reliable water are under strain. From the lead crisis in Flint, Michigan, to the growing threat of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and “forever chemicals,” to climate-driven droughts and floods, the health of our communities ultimately depends on access to a safe, clean water supply.
These are not just infrastructure issues. They are public health emergencies waiting to unfold.
That’s why Catalyst by Wellstar is proud to announce a new partnership with Burnt Island Ventures (BIV), a venture fund dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs who are building the future of water.
Unlocking Innovation in Water
For decades, water has been overlooked in global innovation. Despite being at the center of human and environmental health, less than one percent of venture capital for climate technologies has flowed into water solutions. Burnt Island Ventures was founded to change that.
Their mission is simple: fund the best water entrepreneurs in the world.
BIV partners with early-stage companies that are tackling the hardest water challenges, from filtering out harmful contaminants, to building smarter utility infrastructure, to helping communities adapt to climate pressures like droughts and floods. These solutions are not just technical upgrades. They are lifelines for communities that depend on safe, resilient water systems.
Some examples of the work emerging from their portfolio include:
Through this hands-on approach, BIV has become a trusted partner to founders across the globe, and a leading voice for innovation in one of the world’s most critical industries.
Voices of Partnership
“As a healthcare investor, we view clean and sustainable water access as fundamental to public health. Water quality directly impacts disease prevention, chronic illness management, and overall community well-being. By investing in innovative water technologies, we’re not only addressing one of the most pressing global health challenges, but also extending the mission of healthcare beyond hospitals and clinics into the environments where people live, work, and thrive. For us, this is more than an infrastructure play. It’s a preventative healthcare investment at scale.” — Hank Capps, MD, Executive VP, Chief Information and Digital Officer at Wellstar Health System, and Founder and President at Catalyst by Wellstar
“At Burnt Island Ventures, we know that water is the foundation of both healthy people and healthy economies. Partnering with Catalyst by Wellstar allows us to bring healthcare perspectives into the innovation ecosystem, connecting visionary founders with the insights and networks needed to make water safer and more resilient for everyone. We could not ask for a stronger partner in healthcare.” — Tom Ferguson, Managing Partner, Burnt Island Ventures
A Shared Commitment to Health and Sustainability
Catalyst by Wellstar invests in ideas that improve human health, directly or indirectly. Water may not always be thought of as healthcare innovation, but its role in preventing disease, supporting resilience, and enabling care delivery makes it central to the future we want to build.
Together with Burnt Island Ventures, we are championing solutions that:
This is more than an investment in infrastructure. It is an investment in people, in prevention, and in healthier communities everywhere.
