Jaufre Rouanet, Founder and General Manager of Hawa Water, talks to My Startup World about Hawa Water and company’s participation in Gitex Future Stars 2021.
Can you please introduce Hawa Water to our readers?
Hawa Water is a premium bottled drinking water made from harvesting the humidity in the air. This water is locally produced in the UAE and distributed in a returnable glass bottle.
You can now find our bottled water on the market with a limited number of distributors and get a taste from the sky!
Hawa is tapping in the humidity of the atmosphere and as such, does not affect the environment by depleting or impacting the water resources (sea or groundwater). The local production in decentralized factories addresses the logistic challenges we are facing from the COVID-19 pandemic to the transport prices surge. The reusable glass bottle opens a new era where the bottle carbon footprint and waste impact are eliminated thanks to a local rotation of the container replacing large plastic bottle waste and environmental impact.
How did you raise capital to fund this venture?
To date, Hawa Water has been built and financed through the contribution of each of the Company’s founders. In addition, as the Company set-up and investment in technology required an additional layer of capital, we have been supported by Family and Friends financial investment in the equity of the Company and are now co-shareholders.
We are now looking as well at additional fundraising to support the growth of Hawa Water.
What are the major obstacles you faced and how did you overcome them?
Throughout our journey, we face the resistance of the market already occupied by the large international water corporations and distributors which gives limited room for innovation and new products.
We have been however pleased to see supporters to the product creating space of its distribution and promotions.
How do you visualize your business growth in the next 12-18 months?
Thanks to the acceleration phase we are currently entering and the large support of our distributors and accelerators like MBRIF or the Spinneys accelerator, we are proud to extend our reach to UAE consumers. We believe that in the next 12 to 18 months, we will present in most of the Emirates, and you will be able to taste Hawa in your hotels and restaurants as well as premium retail stores. By drinking Hawa, we all take part of a sustainable initiative and alternative to other water production and logistics having an impact on the planet.
What are the key expectations and takeaways from this edition of Gitex Future Stars 2021?
During this edition of Gitex, we trust we will meet investors and partners who believe in a healthier, local and environment-friendly products. In 2021, after 2 years of the pandemic, local communities as well as the business world are ready for a change in lifestyle and have a positive impact on the protection of our planet and of our loved ones.
In line with the UN 17 Sustainable Development Goals, Hawa has a clear alignment with those key topics and initiatives showcased as this year Gitex.
What advise do you have for budding entrepreneurs like yourself?
Be bold! This is mission possible to develop and initiate changes for the world. At a time of great uncertainty, this is when key breakthrough is brought forward and create value for the world!
