Activity Description: WaterHealth International (WHI) provides innovative business solutions to one of the world's most desperate health crises, the lack of safe, clean and affordable water for the more than two billion people who have little or no access to it. Their highly successful model incorporates an innovative, cost-effective technology designed for the poor, with a franchise model to streamline marketing and distribution and assure uniform water quality and service.

The purification technology – called UVWaterworks - is a highly effective ultraviolet water disinfection system that eliminates water-borne pathogens. WHI's systems also include a range of modular components designed to address specific problems such as turbidity, silt, tastes, odors and various chemicals, enabling WHI to provide complete water solutions.

WHI has unleashed the potential of this technology though developing a franchise model that makes distribution and marketing easy for local entrepreneurs. This model is community-based and offers a sustainable way to deliver clean water to the BOP. On average, franchisees get a full return on their investment within 12-18 months, making this a very attractive model for local entrepreneurs, and even non-profit institutions interested in revenue generation.

WHI has attracted major investments from both philanthropic and venture capital funds including Acumen Fund, Dow Venture Capital, ICICI Bank, Plebys International LLC, and SAIL Venture Partners, L.P.. They are in the process of scaling their model and expanding into new countries and markets.