Latest News
Partnering to Bring Distribution Scale to Water Innovation
CRH Ventures is pleased to welcome Ferguson Waterworks as an industry partner in the CRH Ventures Water Infrastructure Accelerator, bringing market expertise, customer insight, and deployment experience to help accelerate the adoption of innovative water technologies.
Successful innovation requires more than breakthrough technology. It requires a clear path to market, access to customers, and an understanding of how solutions are deployed in the field.
As North America's largest value-added distributor of water infrastructure solutions, Ferguson connects more than 37,000 suppliers, 1 million products, and 1 million customers through a network of 1,700 locations supported by 35,000 associates. This unique position gives Ferguson firsthand insight into how products and technologies come together to solve real-world challenges for contractors, engineers, and utilities.
Beyond distribution, Ferguson is actively supporting innovation through Ferguson Ventures, its corporate venture capital arm. One example is VODA.ai, a shared portfolio company of Ferguson Ventures and CRH Ventures, which uses artificial intelligence to help utilities predict pipe failures and prioritize infrastructure investments. Through its Waterworks business, Ferguson has helped bring innovative technologies closer to customers and real-world deployment.
Accelerating innovation through collaboration
As a partner in the CRH Ventures Water Infrastructure Accelerator, Ferguson will help participating startups better understand industry challenges, customer needs, and pathways to commercial adoption.
"Water systems are under growing pressure, and many of the best answers are coming from founders. Ferguson sees water infrastructure from a vantage point few others have, across the many products, projects, and relationships that keep these systems running. That market view, combined with an active venture practice, is exactly what emerging water technologies need to find their first real-world footing. We are delighted to welcome Ferguson to the program."
Murari Perumalsamy, Head of CRH Ventures
"We sit between the manufacturers, contractors and utilities doing water infrastructure work, so we see early where new technology can take hold and make a meaningful impact. Through the Accelerator, we can help founders meet the market where it already buys and get proven solutions into the ground faster. We are excited to participate alongside other distinguished industry partners to continue to drive innovation and a positive future protecting our most precious resource."
Kerry Hoffman, Director of Utility Technology Solutions, Ferguson
Together, CRH Ventures and Ferguson share a commitment to accelerating practical, scalable solutions that improve the resilience, efficiency, and sustainability of water infrastructure.