Pure Water International secures £200,000 investment from the Catalyst Fund
The investment will support the rollout of Pure Water International’s low-energy water treatment systems across Scotland and beyond.
Pure Water International, a Highland-based environmental engineering company, has secured a £200,000 investment from the Catalyst Fund to expand its innovative wastewater treatment solutions and help businesses reduce their environmental impact.
The investment will support the rollout of the company’s low-energy water treatment systems across Scotland and beyond, helping organisations manage wastewater more sustainably, reduce waste, and improve water efficiency.
Founded in 2019 by engineer David Maclennan, Pure Water International was established to address growing environmental challenges around water use and wastewater management. With additional scientific expertise from Stephanie Terreni Brown, the team seeks to solve global challenges in access to clean water, recognising both the humanitarian and commercial applications of their technology and developing practical solutions that combine environmental impact with commercial sustainability.
Many industries, including distilleries, manufacturing businesses, and healthcare providers, face increasing pressure to manage wastewater in ways that are environmentally responsible, cost-effective, and compliant with regulations. Existing treatment systems can be expensive, energy-intensive or unsuitable for smaller organisations.
Pure Water International’s modular treatment systems provide a flexible alternative, enabling on-site wastewater treatment while reducing waste volumes and energy use. Treated water can regularly be reused, supporting a more circular approach to water management and reducing pressure on local water resources.
The company has already successfully piloted its technology with distilleries and healthcare providers in Scotland and overseas. These projects have demonstrated the technology’s potential to support environmental improvements across multiple sectors, from reducing water waste to improving water quality. In an NHS setting, their system demonstrated up to 80% water reuse, measurable energy savings compared to the existing solution and verified removal of microplastics and pharmaceutical residues.
The new investment will allow the business to scale its operations, expand its customer base, and increase the environmental impact of its work.
The investment follows support from The Ventures Lab, a specialist venture growth pathway founded by the Challenges Group. Through the Ventures Catalyst partnership between The Ventures Lab and the Catalyst Fund, Pure Water International received tailored business support alongside flexible investment to support its next stage of growth.
The Catalyst Fund provides revenue-based finance, linking repayments to business performance rather than fixed monthly payments. This approach gives ventures greater flexibility to invest in growth while increasing their impact.
David Maclennan, Founder and Managing Director of Pure Water International, said:
This investment gives us a huge boost and allows us to take our business to the next level, both financially and through the additional business support provided by the Ventures Lab Team. Working with the team has been a great experience, and reaching this stage is a testament to their guidance and support. Knowing that we will continue to have their support in the future provides an extra level of confidence and security.
Emily Macdonald, Head of Investment Programmes at Firstport, said:
Pure Water International combines strong commercial potential with a clear commitment to environmental impact. The team has developed an innovative solution to a growing challenge faced by industries across Scotland and beyond.
We are pleased to provide the flexible investment needed to support the company’s growth and look forward to seeing its positive environmental impact increase as the business scales.
Katie Pattinson, Venture Support Manager at The Ventures Lab, said:
It’s been a pleasure to work with the founders, David and Stephanie, as they translate their passion and expertise for clean water into fit-for-purpose, innovative solutions that make a difference, whether in Caribbean agriculture or the Scottish whisky industry. With support from the Ventures Lab, the commercial and financial foundations are in place to scale sustainably. We look forward to continuing to support their journey in Scotland and abroad as they innovate to bring full circularity into the wastewater management process.
Pure Water International’s long-term ambition is to accelerate the transition towards more sustainable, low-impact water management practices, helping organisations reduce pollution while contributing to healthier ecosystems and communities. To find out more, visit the Pure Water International website.
Follow this link to learn more about the Ventures Catalyst programme, or listen to our podcast episode with Angie Lee, Director of Ventures Services at the Ventures Lab.