More than a decade ago, a group of engineers under the umbrella of Metrica6 began an innovative journey. The goal was to create an efficient solution for saving hot water in everyday use. In 2015, this technology materialized with NESS, its first commercial proposal. Three years later, the product went on sale under the Spanish brand Presto Ibérica.
However, it was not until 2022 when Waisense emerged as an international brand, offering advanced solutions for water management in a global context increasingly threatened by drought.
In this critical scenario, Waisense’s patented home automation system is a leading Clean-Tech proposal to mitigate climate impact. According to the company’s calculations, its solution can save up to 25 liters of water per use and reduce consumption bills in single-family homes by up to 52%.
The innovation did not go unnoticed and, in 2022, the United Nations selected Waisense as one of the top 25 innovative proposals in the first edition of the SDG2030 Startup Competition.
Keys to Success: Strategy and Partnerships
Currently, Waisense has an annual revenue of half a million euros and more than 20 employees. In its need to expand and explore new products through its technology, the startup has opened an investment round of 1 million euros. The key to its success lies in a solid growth and internationalization strategy, covering both the Business to Consumer (B2C) and Business to Business (B2B) segments.
The B2C segment is useful for validating technology and market needs, making fewer sales but with higher profit margins,” explains Eduardo Dueñas, CEO and founder of Waisense.
However, Dueñas clarifies that the company’s main focus is on the B2B segment. It is this approach that has enabled Waisense to forge agreements with large multinationals, integrating its technology into their catalogs and relying on its manufacturing, industrialization and after-sales service capabilities.
One of the first milestones in these collaborations was Metrica6’s licensing agreement with Presto Ibérica, which enabled the release of the Presto Go and Galindo NESS product in 2018. More recently, Waisense has signed more than 30 international pilot projects, generating more than €4 million in revenue and opening new markets in countries such as France and Portugal.
“The real estate developers and construction companies that make up our B2B segment belong to a traditional sector where clients value experience and recognition in the market,” details Dueñas. As an emerging company, Waisense faces a significant barrier to entry into this environment. This is why the CEO states that strategic collaborations with large groups have been fundamental in overcoming these challenges: “These alliances have allowed us to establish credibility and access resources that would otherwise be inaccessible, facilitating our integration and acceptance in the market.”
Collaboration with the Roca Group: A Success Story
A prime example is the pilot project for Waisense Guard conducted with Roca Group, a world leader in bathroom products. This pilot, completed last May, is now ready to be tested at enterprise level, with Coflex as the next partner. This collaboration has allowed Roca to explore new technological solutions and Waisense to gain valuable experience and credibility.
As stated by Aina Servent, IoT Product Manager at Roca Group: “Pilot projects are crucial tools for technological verification in corporations, allowing small-scale experiments that determine the viability, costs, and potential return of new technologies. Testing innovations from startups through these pilots is key for large corporations like ours, as it provides us with quick access to disruptive technologies without the need to develop them internally, keeping us competitive in an ever-evolving market.
She adds: “Moreover, this type of collaboration fosters long-term strategic alliances, enabling access to new talent and ideas while optimizing costs and improving operational efficiency. In the specific case of Waisense, we have significantly reduced risks by evaluating technologies in a controlled environment, minimizing potential failures before making a larger investment. Without a doubt, pilot projects are essential for efficiently validating technologies and ensuring a clear and measurable potential return.” Waisense, by collaborating with these large companies, has demonstrated its ability to innovate and stand out in a competitive market.
S2 Xpeed: A Strategic Ally
Waisense has been one of the first startups to join the portfolio of S2 Xpeed, an entity committed to strengthening the role of the industry in Europe by finding and supporting innovative startups. With a constantly growing list of more than 2,800 startups, S2 Xpeed is positioned as a key player in the synergy between startups and corporations.
Waisense’s story is a testament to how an innovative vision, combined with a solid growth strategy and strategic partnerships, can lead a startup to become a reference in its industry, providing essential solutions in the fight against climate change.
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