Gradiant, a global leader in advanced water and wastewater solutions based in US, has announced that it had raised a Series E funding round valuing the firm at $2 billion, as demand surges from artificial intelligence infrastructure and semiconductor manufacturing as well as other industrial sectors requiring advanced water solutions.

The financing round was led by Safar Partners and Hostplus Superannuation Fund, with participation from ClearVision Ventures and other global investors, said the Boston-based company in a statement. Financial terms of the investment were not disclosed.

Gradiant said it would use the proceeds to support global expansion, including acquisitions, research and development, operational scaling and preparations for a potential initial public offering.

The water technology company said it was experiencing the largest backlog and strongest pipeline in the company's history, with significant growth across data centres, semiconductor fabs, and power, while the company’s business across food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, mining, and energy remains strong.

As AI infrastructure scales at record speed, water has emerged as one of the critical constraints to its growth, reliability, and sustainability, it stated.

Gradiant’s proprietary technologies, powered by its digital AI platform, enable customers in the world’s essential industries to secure water sourcing, maximise water reuse, minimise wastewater discharge, and reduce energy consumption across some of world’s most water-intensive operations.

Over the last few years, Gradiant has emerged as one of the fastest-growing companies in the history of the water industry, driven by its differentiated technology stack, vertically integrated execution model, and unconventional leadership.

Anurag Bajpayee, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman, said: "AI is re-making the global economy, but behind every chip and every data centre lies massive and growing water demand."

Gradiant sits at the centre of this transformation, stated Bajpayee, adding that, "We solve the world’s most important water challenges and enable essential industries to grow reliably and sustainably."

"This new financing gives us more firepower to expand faster, double down on our R&D, and continue building the defining water company of the AI era," he added.

As companies expand AI infrastructure, water availability and wastewater management have become key operational and sustainability challenges because of the large volumes of water required to cool and run data centers and manufacturing facilities.

Gradiant develops water treatment and wastewater technologies designed to help industrial customers secure water supplies, increase water reuse, reduce wastewater discharge and lower energy consumption. Its customers span sectors including food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, mining and energy, said the top official.

The company's recent growth has been driven by its proprietary technologies, AI-enabled digital platform and vertically integrated operating model, he stated.

David Elia, CEO of Hostplus Superannuation Fund, pointed out that the convergence of AI infrastructure, semiconductor manufacturing growth, industrial sustainability and water scarcity was creating a once-in-a-generation opportunity.

"We are excited to support Gradiant through its next phase of growth, building upon its deep technological leadership, proven execution capability, and strong market momentum," he added.--TradeArabia News Service