Xatoms, a cleantech startup using AI and quantum chemistry to develop solar-activated water purification solutions, has announced the successful closure of a $3 million pre-seed round, which consists of $2 million in VC funding and $1 million in non-dilutive funding.

Xatoms discovers new materials for water purification using AI and quantum chemistry. Its material purifies water in just 30 minutes using sunlight or LED light. It can remove biological pathogens, chemical pollutants, heavy metals, and other persistent contaminants without the need for UV infrastructure. The solution is designed for use in industrial sites, Indigenous communities, remote regions, and emerging markets where traditional water systems are often unavailable or too expensive.

This round was led by Quantacet, one of Canada’s first and leading quantum and deep science ventures, supporting Xatoms’ use of AI and quantum chemistry to accelerate material discovery.

Xatoms is also proud to be supported by Genesis Ventures, one of Europe’s five most active VCs and a global supporter of breakthrough technologies; Thrive Lab from the Business Development Bank of Canada, which champions impact-driven and female-led ventures; and key ecosystem players such as the Ontario Centre of Innovation, League of Innovators, Capital Angel Network, BoxOne Ventures, and prominent angel investors including Joe Gagliese (co-founder of Viral Nation), Evan Kubes, and Alex Challans (co-founders of Quantum Insider).

Xatoms was founded by award-winning entrepreneurs Diana Virgovicova, Kerem Topal Ismail Oglou and Shirley Zhong, whom they met through the Cansbridge Fellowship program. The company began with grant support from Alexis Ohanian, founder of Reddit, through the 776 Climate Fellowship.

Xatoms has received global recognition, including Forbes 30 Under 30 North America 2025, Enactus Entrepreneur of the Year, TiE50 Award, SXSW Innovative World Tech, StartupFest winner, and was recently selected by Google for Startups’ AI for Nature Accelerator to build the next generation of climate technology.

“We started Xatoms with one mission: to use our innovative technology to make clean water universally accessible,” said Diana Virgovicova, Co-Founder and CEO of Xatoms. “This funding will allow us to scale our pilot programs, grow our technical and manufacturing teams, and partner with more communities and industrial stakeholders ready for sustainable change.”

This mission is especially urgent in the face of ongoing water crises affecting Indigenous communities across Canada. In Grassy Narrows, over 9,000 kg of mercury was dumped into the river in the 1960s (McGill, 2014), and nearly 90% of residents still suffer the health effects today (CBC News, 2024), with some exposed to mercury levels more than three times above safe limits, and nearby communities experiencing exposures up to 7 times above safe limits (The Toronto Star, 2017). Across Canada, more than 35 Indigenous communities still live under long-term boil water advisories (CTV News, 2024), facing the daily reality of unsafe drinking water and suffering from a wide range of debilitating health issues.

With global support and a growing pipeline of pilot opportunities, Xatoms is entering a pivotal growth phase, advancing partnerships with industry, government, and communities to reimagine water treatment. The company is actively open to conversations with seed and series A investors. Xatoms is also seeking new corporate partnerships in water-intensive industries and additional pilot collaborators in industrial facilities and Indigenous communities.

Press Contact:
Diana Virgovicova
CEO & Co-Founder, Xatoms
Diana@xatoms.com
www.xatoms.com