Burnt Island Ventures

Burnt Island Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm specializing exclusively in water technology, targeting innovative solutions to address climate-driven challenges in water management, access, and security within the $1.4 trillion industry. Founded in 2020, the firm identifies, funds, and supports exceptional entrepreneurs developing technologies from software to hardware that transform global water systems. It operates Funds I and II, along with an Opportunity Fund for growth-stage investments, filling critical gaps in this underinvested sector where climate change manifests most acutely through water stress, flooding, and scarcity.

Tom Ferguson established Burnt Island Ventures drawing on his extensive experience in water innovation, including authoring the first CDP Water Disclosure Report in 2010 and expanding Imagine H2O's global programs from 2015, which vetted over 500 startups annually and facilitated more than $600 million in fundraising and five exits. The firm's strategy emphasizes deep sector expertise to provide founders with unparalleled networks and hands-on support, as evidenced by endorsements from limited partners like Xylem, which made an anchor investment in Fund II, and WovenEarth Ventures, praising its leadership in water decarbonization. The portfolio spans early innovation to scaling companies, including standout investments like Aquafortus for produced water treatment, ZwitterCo for advanced membranes, SewerAI for AI sewer inspection, AquiSense for UV disinfection, and Flocean and Hope Hydration recognized in Time's Best Inventions of 2025.

Recent highlights feature Daupler as the fastest-growing GovTech company and grants to Cala for manufacturing support, demonstrating tangible progress in water transformation. Burnt Island Ventures boasts a team of water and venture experts: Partners Christine E. Boyle, former CEO of Valor Water Analytics acquired by Xylem, and Steve Kloos, ex-GE Water leader and True North Venture Partners partner; Venture Partners Wayne Byrne with four cleantech exits and Paul Hauffen; alongside operational leaders like Jessica Pascolini from Coatue, Jennie Graham from Oxford and Duke, and Marissa Sterling with Middle East water program experience. This assembly positions the firm as a category leader in water tech venture capital.