At the international tech conference, VDS, Würth Elektronik, a well-known manufacturer of passive components, presented itself as a competent partner for startup companies. The company unveiled its latest collaboration with hydrop systems, a newly established startup focused on smart water solutions. Together, they introduced a cutting-edge reader for water meters that enables precise consumption tracking and early leak detection.
Since 2018, the Valencia Digital Summit (VDS), organized by Startup Valencia, has united leading startups, influential companies, and visionary investors from around the world. The 2025 VDS edition brought together more than 3,000 startups and over 800 investors, each showcasing advancements in deep tech, artificial intelligence, sustainability, smart cities, healthcare, and security technologiesSince 2019, Würth Elektronik has operated a lab for electronic and electromechanical components at the University of Valencia Science Park.
hydropmeter: Save Water, Detect Leaks Early
At VDS 2025, the startup hydrop systems introduced a straightforward, yet impactful, solution: the hydropmeter. This device attaches directly to the existing water meter and transmits the flow data to an Internet server via a wireless connection. The readings can then be accessed via Android and iOS apps or smart home systems.
The hydropmeter installs in under two minutes and supports more responsible water usage while helping prevent costly damage. Research shows that increasing awareness alone can reduce individual water consumption by up to 23%. The hydropmeter also detects leaks at an early stage, helping to avoid water damage; an issue that leads for approximately €4.5 billion in renovation costs annually in Germany alone.
The panel discussion, “Finding the Leak: How innovation and electronics sparked a water revolution,” with Alexander Gerfer, CTO at the Würth Elektronik eiSos Group, and Katrin Kreidel, co-founder of hydrop systems, moderated by Florian Reiter, editor-in-chief of FOCUS online Earth, attracted a great deal of interest. The founder and the CTO both emphasized the central importance of cooperation between industry and startups, especially when it comes to challenges such as the electromagnetic compatibility of IoT solutions.
Proven, Multidimensional Startup Support Concept
Würth Elektronik supports promising startups through a proven, multidimensional approach rooted in its “Electronics for Positive Impact” philosophy. Development support is not only based on commercial success, but also prioritizes the environmental and societal value of each idea.
During the development phase, Würth Elektronik supplied hydrop systems with evaluation boards and LEDs for internal lighting. The hydropmeter’s electromagnetic compatibility was verified through pre-compliance testing in internal laboratories. Through targeted circuit adjustments, the prototype was refined into a marketable product now available in stores. Previously manufactured units were easily upgraded using a special shielding foil from Würth Elektronik.
Würth Elektronik also connected the startup with early adopters its own organization. These users purchased the product and provided valuable feedback based on their personal experience.
“Great ideas sometimes stumble over small details,” emphasizes Alexander Gerfer. “Our collaboration with the start-up hydrop systems is a best-practice example, where we founda few technical hurdles, fixed them, and brought a fully realized product to market.”
Steffi Czerny, Managing Director of DLD Media and main host of the DLD “Tech in Action Dinner” within the conference, explains: “Today, I visited the Harbour in Valencia – a vibrant startup hub unlike any other. The secret sauce? Founders here are explorers, just like the sailors who once set out from this very coast, driven by curiosity and courage. I’m thankful to our dear DLD friend, Alexander Gerfer, for bringing his spirit of innovation here and sharing it with me, Christian Teichmann, and all of us tonight.”
“During my studies, I realized that many environmental problems are only addressed when it is already too late because solutions are too expensive or there is insufficient awareness of the issue,” says Katrin Kreidel. “As we are seeing today in our neighboring countries, water is the next big problem, and we are already developing a proactive solution for the respectful use of this resource. Our main focus is on ensuring that the company can grow sustainably and that the product can be manufactured sustainably. That’s why we rely on Würth Elektronik, a strong partner from our region.”
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