Aquablu, an Amsterdam startup offering smart workplace water dispensers, has raised €7 million in seed funding. €1.1 million came from Bas Witvoet, Pieter Schoen, and Michel Perridon during a Dutch Dragons podcast episode.
- Founded in 2018 by Marc van Zuylen and Marnix Stokvis, Aquablu develops smart water dispensers designed for use in offices, hotels, and public spaces.
- The company’s core product, the REFILL+ system, offers chilled, sparkling, or still water with optional natural flavorings, electrolytes, and B vitamins. The aim is to replace bottled beverages with a more sustainable and customizable alternative.
- Aquablu integrates hardware with software to deliver a connected hydration solution. The dispensers are sensor-based, track usage data, and can be remotely monitored and updated. The system eliminates single-use plastics by allowing users to refill reusable bottles directly at the point of use.
- In 2025, Aquablu reports achieving profitability and maintaining over 300% annual growth for three consecutive years. The technology platform is also supported by a backend that enables service automation and fleet management at scale.
Details of the deal
- Aquablu raised €7 million in seed funding from strategic private investors, including €1.1 million from Pieter Schoen, Bas Witvoet, and Michel Perridon during a Dutch Dragons podcast episode. The round was led by former Philips CEO Frans van Houten and structured as a “Friends of Aquablu” raise.
“The reason I decided to invest in Aquablu is that I was genuinely impressed by the two young entrepreneurs, Marc and Marnix, who started the company while still in university. I myself co-founded several companies during my student days together with my close friend and business partner Harald, so I know firsthand what an exciting and opportunity-rich time lies ahead for them,” explains Pieter Schoen.
- Aquablu plans to use the €7 million seed funding to expand internationally, invest in research and development, and scale automation across its REFILL+ hydration platform.
- The company aims to reach €100 million in revenue by 2028 while keeping its team lean, with fewer than 100 employees.
“What Nespresso did for coffee, we’re doing for water, but sustainably and exclusively for businesses. We weren’t looking for six-week board meetings or heavy reporting duties. We need partners who believe in speed and execution," claims Marnix Stokvis, co-founder of Aquablu.
