Sanitization in Brazil Inspiring Startups Analysis¶
Inspiring Startups¶
The Brazilian sanitization sector, propelled by the New Legal Framework and the pressing need for universalization, is witnessing the emergence of innovative startups that are challenging traditional models and introducing new approaches across the value chain. These nascent companies are often leveraging technology and focusing on specific pain points, offering solutions that complement or potentially disrupt the established players and processes.
Several startups are making notable contributions:
Zero Esgoto is an inspiring example, focusing on decentralized sewage treatment. Their system is highlighted for its innovative approach that transforms sewage into reusable water (Class II) without requiring electricity or generating sludge. This offers a potentially lower-cost and more sustainable solution, particularly relevant for areas not connected to centralized sewage networks. Their business model is based on providing modular, easily installed treatment stations, with over 6,000 units reportedly installed in Brazil.
In the realm of water access, Água Camelo is inspiring change by addressing the needs of vulnerable populations. They provide portable water purification kits that can treat unsafe water sources, offering a decentralized solution for obtaining potable water in regions lacking formal infrastructure. This directly impacts the accessibility of safe water at the point of use.
Florescer Brasil is another startup with a social impact focus, working on projects that improve access to water and sanitation in socially vulnerable areas. Their initiatives include the implementation of individual sanitary units (USI) for on-site sewage treatment, providing essential services where traditional collection and treatment may not be feasible.
Applying biotechnology to water treatment, LiaMarinha is developing ecological and sustainable solutions for improving water quality and treating effluents. Their work on ecological treatment stations offers an alternative approach to conventional chemical-intensive methods, focusing on environmental revitalization.
SDW (Safe Drinking Water for All) is known for developing Aqualuz, a technology that uses solar energy to purify water in cisterns. This simple yet effective solution is particularly impactful in rural areas or communities reliant on rainwater harvesting, providing a sustainable method for ensuring access to safe drinking water.
O2Eco is utilizing a bio-stimulator technology to enhance the natural purification processes in water bodies and effluents. By promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria, they offer a biological approach to degrading organic pollutants, presenting a potentially environmentally friendlier method for water and wastewater treatment.
For improving operational efficiency, SANAPP has developed the Plataforma Bizu, a SaaS (Software as a Service) solution for managing sanitation assets, including water and sewage networks, drainage, and solid waste systems. This digital tool aids in monitoring, performance analysis, maintenance scheduling, and fault identification, enabling sanitation companies to enhance their management and reduce losses. SANAPP was a winner of the BID-FEMSA Award 2024 for their innovative platform.
Addressing the significant challenge of water losses, Ajusta Água provides a georeferencing-based system to automate cadastral updates and help identify inconsistencies that contribute to commercial losses. Their solution assists operators in reducing non-revenue water by improving billing accuracy and detecting potential fraud.
Beyond individual startups, the ecosystem supporting innovation is also growing, with initiatives like the Reckitt Hygiene/Yunus Negócios Sociais Accelerator, Sanepar Startups, Copasa HUB, and Iguá Lab providing platforms for startups to develop and scale their solutions in collaboration with established players. Industry events like IFAT Brasil also feature innovation arenas to showcase emerging technologies and connect startups with the sector.
These startups are inspiring changes by demonstrating that innovative, often decentralized, technology-driven solutions can address critical sanitation challenges, particularly in underserved areas and in improving the efficiency of existing operations. They are introducing new business models focused on specific technologies, service provision, and data management, contributing to the modernization and universalization efforts in the Brazilian sanitation value chain.
Table of Potential Impact of the Startups¶
| Startup | Key Innovation / Solution | Potential Impact on Value Chain Step(s) | Potential New Business Model / Approach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zero Esgoto | Decentralized, natural sewage treatment system. | Sanitary Sewage (Treatment, Collection in unserved areas), Urban Cleaning & Solid Waste Management (sludge management). | Modular system sales, service provision for decentralized treatment. |
| Água Camelo | Portable water purification kits. | Water Supply (Access in underserved areas), Treated Water Distribution (Alternative access). | Product sales (purification kits), service provision (purification services). |
| Florescer Brasil | Implementation of Individual Sanitary Units (USI). | Sanitary Sewage (Collection and Treatment in vulnerable areas). | Project-based implementation, social impact initiatives, potential for community-based service models. |
| LiaMarinha | Biotechnologies for water quality improvement & effluent treatment. | Water Treatment, Sewage Treatment, Raw Water Abstraction/Collection (environmental remediation). | Development and implementation of ecological treatment stations, environmental services. |
| SDW | Aqualuz (Solar water purification for cisterns). | Water Supply (Access in rural/underserved areas), Treated Water Distribution (Decentralized access). | Technology sales (Aqualuz devices), potential for related support and maintenance services. |
| O2Eco | Bio-stimulator for natural water purification. | Water Treatment, Sewage Treatment, Raw Water Abstraction/Collection (environmental quality). | Application of bio-stimulator technology, potentially as a service or product for water bodies and treatment plants. |
| SANAPP | Plataforma Bizu (SaaS for asset management). | Treated Water Distribution, Sewage Collection, Urban Rainwater Drainage & Management, Urban Cleaning & Solid Waste Management (all via asset management). | Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) subscription model for sanitation operators. |
| Ajusta Água | Georeferencing for cadastral update and water loss reduction. | Treated Water Distribution (Loss Reduction), Financial Management & Commercial Ops (Revenue optimization). | Service provision (data analysis, cadastral management support) to sanitation companies. |
| Kronox | Innovative equipment (Elevatória 4.0, Tank TITAN). | Infrastructure & Technology Supply, Treated Water Distribution, Sewage Collection. | Manufacturing and sales of advanced sanitation equipment and materials. |
| Accelerator Programs & Hubs | Support, mentorship, funding, and connection for startups. | Cross-cutting impact across all segments by fostering innovation and new business development. | Facilitation services, investment vehicles (seed funding), networking platforms. |
References¶
ABCON SINDCON. SANEAMENTO BÁSICO: Brasil precisa investir cerca de R$ 551 bi para alcançar metas de universalização. https://abconsindcon.com.br/saneamento-basico-brasil-precisa-investir-cerca-de-r-551-bi-para-alcancar-metas-de-universalizacao/ Aegea Saneamento. Quem Somos. https://aegea.com.br/quem-somos aQuamec. Equipamentos. https://www.aquamec.com.br/equipamentos/ ABREMA. SANEAMENTO DEVERÁ INVESTIR R$ 24 BI AQUÉM DO NECESSÁRIO EM 2024. https://abrema.org.br/saneamento-devera-investir-r-24-bi-aquem-do-necessario-em-2024/ Assembleia Legislativa do Piauí. Brasil: apenas 50% do volume de esgoto é efetivamente tratado. https://www.alepi.pi.leg.br/2023/11/28/brasil-apenas-50-do-volume-de-esgoto-e-efetivamente-tratado/ Brasil 61. Saneamento: apenas 52,2% do esgoto gerado no Brasil é tratado. https://brasil61.com/n/saneamento-apenas-52-2-do-esgoto-gerado-no-brasil-e-tratado-pnews640250 BRK. Startups levam inovação para o setor de saneamento básico. https://www.brkambiental.com.br/noticia/startups-levam-inovacao-para-o-setor-de-saneamento-basico DAS Brasil. Home. https://dasbrasil.com.br/ Eco21. Dia do engenheiro de saneamento: conheça startups nacionais focadas em oferecer o serviço no Brasil. https://www.eco21.eco.br/dia-do-engenheiro-de-saneamento-conheca-startups-nacionais-focadas-em-oferecer-o-servico-no-brasil/ Fibratec. Investimentos no Saneamento: R$ 72,4 Bilhões em novos projetos para 2025. https://www.fibratec.com.br/blog/investimentos-no-saneamento-r-724-bilhoes-em-novos-projetos-para-2025/ Gazeta do Povo. Investidores comemoram crescimento na participação do setor de saneamento. https://www.gazetadopovo.com.br/economia/investidores-comemoram-crescimento-na-participacao-do-setor-de-saneamento/ Greennova Hub. Home. https://greennova.org/ Iguá Saneamento. Nossas operações. https://igua.com.br/nossas-operacoes IFAT Brasil. Arena de Inovação e Start-ups. https://ifatbrasil.com.br/arena-de-inovacao-e-start-ups/ Instituto Trata Brasil. Perdas de Água 2023. https://tratabrasil.org.br/blog/perdas-de-agua-2023-indicadores-mais-recentes-e-analise-historica/ Jornal de Brasília. Mercado de saneamento privado é dominado por 4 empresas; veja quem é dona do quê. https://www.jornaldebrasilia.com.br/economia/mercado-de-saneamento-privado-e-dominado-por-4-empresas-veja-quem-e-dona-do-que/ Kronox. FENASAN: Inovações e Compromisso com o Saneamento Básico no Brasil. https://kronox.com.br/fenasan-inovacoes-e-compromisso-com-o-saneamento-basico-no-brasil/ Nexo Jornal. Brasil perde quase 40% da água tratada, mostra estudo. https://www.nexojornal.com.br/expresso/2023/10/19/Brasil-perde-quase-40-da-%C3%A1gua-tratada-mostra-estudo O2eco. Startup que usa bactérias para despoluir a água atrai atenção da Ambev. https://capitalreset.com/startup-que-usa-bacterias-para-despoluir-a-agua-atrai-atencao-da-ambev/ ONDAS. As empresas privadas atuantes no saneamento: entre a financeirizacao e a concentracao do mercado. https://ondasbrasil.org/as-empresas-privadas-atuantes-no-saneamento-entre-a-financeirizacao-e-a-concentracao-do-mercado/ Poder360. Brasil precisará investir R$ 509 bi para universalizar saneamento. https://www.poder360.com.br/economia/brasil-precisara-investir-r-509-bi-para-universalizar-saneamento/ Portal Gov.br. Marco Legal do Saneamento. https://www.gov.br/mdr/pt-br/assuntos/saneamento/marco-legal-do-saneamento Portal Saneamento Básico. Isle Utilities IFAT Brasil. https://saneamentobasico.com.br/isle-utilities-ifat-brasil-2025/ Quintessa. Dia Mundial da Água | Conheça 06 startups com soluções de acesso, monitoramento e tratamento de água. https://quintessa.org.br/blog/startups-solucoes-acesso-monitoramento-tratamento-agua/ Sanepar Startups. Sanepar Startups. https://startups.sanepar.com.br/ SANAPP. Startup de Florianópolis é vencedora do Prêmio BID-FEMSA 2024. https://sanapp.com.br/noticia/startup-de-florianopolis-e-vencedora-do-premio-bid-femsa-2024 Water Hub Brasil. Tecnologia em Tratamento de Água e Efluentes| BR Water Hub | São Paulo, Brasil. https://www.brwaterhub.com.br/ Zero Esgoto. Startup capixaba que transforma esgoto em água limpa lidera recuperação da Baía de Guanabara e da Bacia do Rio Doce. https://www.asn.inf.br/asn/index.php/2024/12/30/startup-capixaba-que-transforma-esgoto-em-agua-limpa-lidera-recuperacao-da-baia-de-guanabara-e-da-bacia-do-rio-doce/ Zero Esgoto. Startup capixaba revoluciona saneamento básico e lidera recuperação ambiental. https://folhavitoria.es.gov.br/economia/2025/01/startup-capixaba-revoluciona-saneamento-basico-e-lidera-recuperacao-ambiental