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§ Venture Capital · San Francisco, CA, USA
A specialist early-stage venture capital fund investing in water entrepreneurs globally, focused on solving water problems.
Key people at Burnt Island Ventures.
Burnt Island Ventures was founded in 2020 by Thomas Ferguson (Founder & Managing Partner).
Burnt Island Ventures is a New York-based early-stage venture capital firm that specializes in funding and supporting entrepreneurs within the global water sector. The firm addresses funding gaps in the $1.4 trillion water industry by deploying initial checks ranging from $200,000 to $2 million, with typical investments falling between $350,000 and $750,000 per company. Its investment strategy encompasses a broad interpretation of water technology, targeting startups across cleantech, waste-to-resource, agriculture, and supply chain verticals, with an anticipated 80 percent of its portfolio located in the United States. The firm has secured capital from notable limited partners, including an anchor investment from water technology provider Xylem for its second fund, while its leadership team brings prior experience from organizations such as Imagine H2O and DuPont. Burnt Island Ventures was founded in 2020 by Tom Ferguson.
Key people at Burnt Island Ventures.
Burnt Island Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm singularly focused on water innovation, with a mission to accelerate the development and deployment of transformative water technologies. The firm’s investment philosophy centers on backing the world’s most promising water entrepreneurs, providing not just capital but deep sector expertise, strategic guidance, and access to an unparalleled network in the global water industry. Burnt Island Ventures invests across the water sector—spanning water management, access, security, and climate resilience—supporting startups that address critical challenges like water scarcity, pollution, and infrastructure modernization. Their presence fills a major gap in the venture ecosystem, where water innovation has historically been underfunded and overlooked, even as climate change intensifies water-related risks.
Founded in 2021 by Tom Ferguson, Burnt Island Ventures emerged from Ferguson’s decade-long leadership of ImagineH2O, the world’s leading accelerator for water entrepreneurs. His experience building and scaling ImagineH2O gave him a unique vantage point on the sector’s needs and opportunities, revealing a clear funding gap for early-stage water tech startups. Partnering with seasoned water technology experts like Christine E. Boyle, PhD, and Steve Kloos, PhD, Burnt Island Ventures was established to be the go-to fund for water entrepreneurs. The firm has since launched multiple funds—including an Opportunity Fund targeting growth-stage companies—demonstrating its commitment to supporting water innovation at every stage of development.
Burnt Island Ventures is riding the wave of climate urgency, where water is increasingly recognized as the frontline of climate change impacts. As droughts, floods, and water insecurity become more frequent, the need for innovative water technologies has never been greater. The firm is uniquely positioned to catalyze this transformation, leveraging its deep sector knowledge and network to connect startups with the resources and partners they need to scale. By focusing exclusively on water, Burnt Island Ventures is helping to build a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable water future—one that is essential for both environmental and economic stability.
Looking ahead, Burnt Island Ventures is poised to play an even more critical role as water innovation moves from niche to mainstream. The firm’s specialized focus, combined with its growing track record and expanding network, positions it to shape the next generation of water tech leaders. As climate change continues to drive demand for water solutions, Burnt Island Ventures will likely see increased interest from both entrepreneurs and institutional investors. Their influence will extend beyond their portfolio, helping to elevate the entire water tech ecosystem and ensuring that water remains a central pillar of the global climate response.
Burnt Island Ventures isn’t just funding startups—they’re building the future of water, one founder at a time.
Burnt Island Ventures was founded in 2020 by Thomas Ferguson (Founder & Managing Partner).
Burnt Island Ventures has 14 tracked investments across 9 companies. The latest tracked deal is $22.6M Series A Extension in Flocean in November 2025.
