I have a special connection with the ocean. I believe that together with sunshine, it’s the key to overcoming water scarcity for any coastline. As an entrepreneur, engineer and clean-tech specialist, it’s what inspires me. As a surfer, it’s also my source of joy and something we must protect.Because already 2 out of 3 people are facing water scarcity, I co-founded the sustainable water technology company Elemental Water Makers in 2012. We enable clean water using only seawater and sunshine in over 25 countries with over 50 projects commissioned. We realize clean and affordable water using solar desalination technology for communities, resorts, private properties, crisis relief/response, industries, etc. on islands and coastal regions. We received several awards, such as the 1st prize of the Global Water Award in Dubai in 2017.Our desalination solutions are a game-changer compared to existing solutions:- electricity consumption is 70% lower due to energy recovery technology- off-grid solar-powered operation is possible to avoid the use of fossil fuels- the use of chemicals is totally avoided by smart design of the water treatment - the saltier water has a lower salt concentration which minimizes environmental impact- operation is made easy by automation, high-quality component and remote monitoringTogether this provides a sustainable desalination solution and ensures the lowest cost of ownership. Our proven solutions can generate water between 1-4 USD per 1000 litres, using only the sea and sun for scalable capacities between 5000 and 150000 litres/day. This breakthrough enables an independent water supply for any coastal location worldwide and stimulates several SDGs. To ensure rural communities in developing countries are not left behind, I also co-founded the Elemental Water Foundation. We are a certified non-profit organization with the goal to enable safe & affordable freshwater by realizing projects for rural communities in developing countries. In the past years, we have realized several community projects in Madagascar & Yemen that provide clean water for thousands of people that are normally overlooked by development aid or impact investing. These projects ensure a long-term impact using a sustainable water kiosk business model and by working with the local community and a local NGO. It's my goal to help 1 million people get access to clean water using sustainable resources, we're now at over 100,000 people. Please join me in solving freshwater scarcity, using only the sea and sun!