Watershed

Overview

Watershed Technology, Inc., typically known as Watershed, is an enterprise sustainability platform headquartered in San Francisco. Founded in 2019 by Christian Anderson, Taylor Francis, and Avi Itskovich, the company helps organizations measure, report, and reduce their carbon emissions. Recently, Watershed has raised significant funding, including a Series C round in early 2024, gathering $100 million, thus reaching a valuation of $1.8 billion. This injection of capital aims to support its mission to accelerate the climate economy by helping companies transition to a zero-carbon world.

Recent Developments

October 2024: Watershed has teamed up with prominent industry leaders to prepare for upcoming climate regulations, emphasizing compliance with global standards like the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).
May 2024: The company was ranked among LinkedIn's Top Startups for its innovations in climate technology, reinforcing its position as a leader in sustainability solutions.
March 2024: Watershed successfully closed a $100 million Series C funding round led by Greenoaks, increasing its market valuation to $1.8 billion. Key investors include Kleiner Perkins, Sequoia Capital, and others.
February 2024: Watershed announced scaling efforts with new hires and expanding its footprint in European markets to enhance its solution offerings and meet increased demand for carbon accounting services.
2023: It was selected in the CNBC Disruptor 50 list and successfully partnered with major corporations like Airbnb and Walmart to implement sustainable practices.

Attribute	Information
Founding Date	2019
Headquarters	San Francisco, CA
Founders	Christian Anderson, Taylor Francis, Avi Itskovich
Revenue	N/A
Profits	N/A
Key Investors	Greenoaks, Kleiner Perkins, Sequoia Capital
Industry	Climate Data and Analytics
Number of Employees	300 as of the last reported count

Early History

Watershed was conceived by its founders, who previously worked at the financial services company Stripe. They aimed to address the climate crisis by helping businesses become more sustainable. The platform launched in 2019, quickly gaining traction with early adopters like Square and Airbnb. By 2020, Watershed had begun raising significant funds, cementing its capability to deliver carbon footprint solutions. The company leveraged the demand for corporate responsibility in environmental impacts, facilitating its client companies in meeting regulatory and sustainability goals.

Company Profile and Achievements

Watershed operates on a subscription-based model, providing a comprehensive digital dashboard for tracking, reporting, and reducing carbon emissions. Significant achievements include:

2021: Launched the Watershed Marketplace, offering clients access to carbon credits and renewable energy projects.
2022: Acquired VitalMetrics to enhance its data capabilities for more accurate carbon accounting.
2023: Collaborated on the world's largest corporate Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA) projects.
2024: The company gained recognition as one of the TIME100 Most Influential Companies for its innovative approach and extensive impact in the climate-tech sector.

Current Operations and Market Position

Watershed is currently a leader in the climate data and analytics industry, helping companies navigate compliance with emissions disclosure regulations. The platform is known for its ease of use, offering real-time measurement and reporting features. Watershed's strategic partnerships extend its market position by fostering an ecosystem of climate-conscious companies and simplifying the integration of sustainable practices.

Watershed Definition Science

In the scientific community, a watershed refers to a geographic area that channels rainfall and snowmelt to creeks, streams, and rivers, eventually leading to outflow points like reservoirs, bays, or oceans. This concept aids in understanding how surface water drainage is organized and the impact of land and water management practices.

Watershed in Geography

Geographically, watersheds explain the land area that drains into a specific water system. Understanding watersheds is crucial for effective water resources management, influencing decisions related to agriculture, urban planning, and environmental conservation. It involves the socio-economic and political considerations in managing the natural flow of water within these defined geographical limits.

Watershed Examples

Examples of significant watersheds include the Mississippi River Basin in the United States, the largest drainage basin in North America, and the Amazon Basin in South America. These watersheds cover immense land areas, impacting numerous ecosystems and human activities.

Conclusion

Watershed Technology, Inc. stands as a pivotal player in sustainability technology, offering platforms that address the critical need for businesses to manage and reduce their carbon emissions. The company's trajectory indicates significant contributions toward decarbonization goals, fueled by robust capital support and ongoing partnerships. Understanding watershed concepts is foundational across various domains—geography, climate science, and business—highlighting the relevance of integrated water resource management in developing sustainable systems.