Wahter, an innovative startup in the packaged drinking water and advertising sectors, has successfully raised Rs 5 crore in pre-seed funding at a valuation of Rs 52 crore. This significant milestone, announced on June 18, 2024, marks a pivotal step in Wahter’s mission to provide affordable bottled water while leveraging advertising revenues to subsidize costs.
The newly secured funds will enable Wahter to expand its distribution network significantly. The company plans to increase the number of its carts, strollers, and kiosks in high-traffic areas, thereby broadening its reach and providing advertisers with a more extensive demographic to target. This strategic expansion is designed to enhance both the visibility of the brands it partners with and the availability of its low-cost bottled water. In addition to expanding its network, Wahter will use the funds to optimize its production processes and invest in advanced technology. These improvements aim to streamline operations, improve logistics, and ensure the highest quality of bottled water. Furthermore, Wahter plans to strengthen its team by increasing its headcount, enabling more efficient execution of its ambitious expansion plans.
Founded in December 2023, Wahter operates with a unique business model that integrates brand advertisements onto water bottle labels. This innovative approach allows the company to offer bottled water at highly subsidized prices—just Rs 1 or Rs 2 per bottle—by generating revenue from advertisers. Amitt Nenwani, co-founder of Wahter, highlighted the effectiveness of this model, noting that the campaigns conducted for their brands have yielded surprisingly positive results. This model not only makes clean drinking water more accessible but also transforms each water bottle into a moving billboard. By billing marketers between Rs 10 and Rs 20 per bottle, based on the selected demographic, Wahter can target students, marginalized communities, and children, providing water at an 80 percent disbursement rate.
Wahter has already deployed over 100 carts, strollers, and kiosks in high-footfall areas such as metro stations, malls, and public places. It has partnered with well-known brands like boAt, Vijay Sales, and ACE Capitals to further its reach and impact. Looking ahead, Wahter aims to continue investing in technology and team expansion to maintain and improve its service quality. The company’s commitment to affordability and transparency is evident in its efforts to redefine the packaged drinking water and advertising landscape.