Chemical Innovations in Water Industries (CIWI), co-founded by IMD MBA graduate Jasper Schakel and his business partner Erik Kraaijeveld, has been recognized with a prestigious Financial Times Responsible Business Education Award. This distinction comes after winning the 2023 IMD MBA Venture Award, which supports promising entrepreneurs with their innovative business ideas.
“The recognition shows us, and our customers, that we’re not the only ones who see the value we can bring to the world, which is truly encouraging,” said Kraaijeveld. “For us, as hardware developers, it’s especially motivating since this type of work often takes years to fully mature.”
Through treatment agents, CIWI aims to facilitate water treatment. Schakel emphasized that CIWI was developed to be a sustainable technology rather than a disruptive one. Their goal is to reduce the use of traditional chemicals by producing treatment agents with less energy and resources.
In addition to an IMD MBA Venture award, the pilot project in Ghana earned them a $25,000 prize from the RELX Environmental Challenge.
“The competition for the 2023 IMD MBA Venture Award was very tough, with three strong finalists. However, Jasper and CIWI stood out for their eco-friendly technology which transforms water treatment,” shared Jim Pulcrano, IMD Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship and Management. “It’s been a pleasure working with them over the past year, especially witnessing the pragmatic progress they’ve made.”
The MBA Venture Award aims to strengthen the ecosystem of IMD’s startup community by providing entrepreneurs with the financial support and guidance needed to launch and grow innovative business ventures. Since its establishment in 2022, the award has grown significantly, from nine participants in the first year to 25 students last year, representing 25% of the MBA class.
“The IMD Venture Award is a unique opportunity that provides invaluable focus and support to help turn an idea into a business,” said Schakel. “I strongly believe it has the potential to keep empowering MBA students by equipping them with the drive, tools, and resources needed to build successful companies while applying IMD’s lessons in the real world.”
CIWI’s success and the continued evolution of the MBA Venture Award highlight the impact of IMD’s alumni in advancing responsible and sustainable business practices. It also underscores IMD’s role in contributing to a more prosperous, sustainable, and inclusive world.
The annual FT Responsible Business Education Award competition celebrates the best business school student start-ups that tackle global challenges with innovative sustainable solutions showcasing a new generation of entrepreneurs committed to sustainability.
Find out more about IMD’s MBA program.
