Entrepreneurs in Focus: Tapping into Unused Resources with Ecotime’s Innovative Water Solutions

In an age where sustainability is more crucial than ever before, Ecotime stands as a beacon of innovation and determination. Founded by Eddy Dureuil and Timothé Roy-Bouchard in 2014 and born out of a necessity to address water management issues, Ecotime's journey is not just about water recycling—it’s a testament to resilience, perseverance, and the relentless pursuit of a better future.

The impact of Ecotime's solutions is indisputable. Ecotime offers two distinct products. Their flagship product, Oasis, designed by Ecotime, recycles rainwater for commercial buildings and apartment blocks. On the other hand, Hydraloop, a system created by an independent company, specializes in recycling grey water for domestic use. Ecotime distributes Hydraloop in Quebec and the Caribbean. Despite an initial lack of interest from the public due to a lack of understanding of water issues in Quebec, the two co-founders shared a common vision and determination that led them to embark on their own adventure.

A pivotal point was their study with the City of Montreal, which enabled them to adjust their municipal approach to proposing studies for the implementation of their systems. Their innovative solutions earned them the Quebec product certification for Oasis and enabled them to forge strong relationships with private entities and municipalities in charge of water management.

COVID-19 was also a crucial moment for Ecotime . The confinement radically increased water consumption habits and awareness of water management issues. This period saw increased recognition of Ecotime’s work, paving the way for more projects and collaborations.

Ecotime took part in the AquaHacking Challenge with the aim of transforming the way we use water in Quebec. Having won second place in this competition, participation in the AquaHacking Challenge enabled Ecotime to raise its profile and prove the value of its solutions. Ecotime has also continued its journey with AquaAction by participating in the AquaEntrepreneur program, solidifying its position as a key player in sustainable water management.

“AquaAction has really supported us at very different stages with a variety of programs. The advantage is really to have a long-term follow-up that enables us to support companies that are not all at the same stage of development. AquaHacking is designed to detect new solutions emerging on the market, while AquaEntrepreneur aims to accelerate the development of these solutions.” - Eddy Dureuil

The journey of Ecotime hasn't been devoid of challenges. One of the most notable instances of perseverance was their project in Martinique, which took nearly eight years to complete. Despite an initial failure with a defective machine from a previous company, the team’s resilience and transparency with his client saw the project through to successful installation and opened new opportunities in the region.

Ecotime wishes to resonate the importance of water management with the following key message:

“Ecotime is a company that seeks to fight the status quo by innovating in water management. It's crucial that we don't treat water as an unlimited resource.”

Ecotime is a shining example of what innovation and determination can achieve. AquaAction's support has enabled them to establish new opportunities and a variety of connections and gain a more global understanding of their market. For Eddy, Timothée and their team, the future looks bright, with new opportunities on the horizon and a clear mission: to protect water, our most precious resource.

Visit their website here: https://ecotime.ca/home/