Wow, what a year! With more than 50 publications, 15 live interviews, and even a book publication, we have reached more than 5 million people! Yep, that's' right; 5 million people. Missed something? We have selected our top 5 stories.

We were hoping to make the local press, but we didn't dare to dream that Amsterdam's canal water purification would be such a big (international) success! 

With this campaign, we wanted to create awareness of the plastic waste problem. For the occasion, we installed the Aquablu one in a portable case on a boat. The water was pumped directly out of the canal and purified, mineralized, and bottled on-site. The cost of the bottle? 39 euros. A limited-edition which sold out within 24 hours. This didn't go unnoticed; before we knew, we were live in the broadcast of Veronica, NPO Radio 5, and we were interviewed by newspapers like the Parool and the Telegraaf. But also magazines such as the AD, the Ondernemer, Elle, Metro Lifestyle and FONK magazine wrote about it. The profit from the campaign?  We donated it to the Plastic Whale Foundation. Read more about the canal water campaign here.

2. 25 under 25 finals - most promising young entrepreneurs
In May, our founders Marc van Zuylen and Marnix Stokvis were selected for Sprout's annual list of most promising young entrepreneurs of the Netherlands. A selection of 25 top entrepreneurs, in which we could join the 3 finalists—an exciting race ending in an online pitch competition during the finals.

3. Nominated for Coolest Dutch Brand 
In September, FONK magazine announced that Aquablu is among the 12 coolest brands in the Netherlands. Coolest Dutch Brands is an annual election in which originally Dutch brands are central. It is an honor to be nominated after brands like VanMoof, De Vegetarische Slager, and MUD Jeans. The finalists will be announced early this year; stay tuned!

4. Our story in LiEF; successful entrepreneurship for a better world 
We could hardly believe it when we were asked to tell our story in the book LiEF; successful entrepreneurship for a better world. Less than a year ago, we browsed admiringly through the first book, "LEF; unravelling the secret of market disruptors," not knowing that we would be part of the sequel. Great to be featured together with successful and inspiring entrepreneurs behind brands like Tony Chocolonely and Livekindly. Buy the book here.

5. YES! Delft Accelerator
We started 2020 with a real kickstart: the YES!Delft accelerator program. This accelerator program is in the top 5 of the best business incubators in the world. We had the opportunity to spar with top entrepreneurs and in a short time, we've transformed Aquablu from a start-up to scale-up.