GenAqua’s $300,000 pre-seed raise a turning point for healthtech startup's plan for cleaner water

Gold Coast-based healthtech startup GenAqua, which is helping hospitals and care facilities minimise risks from bacteria growing inside internal plumbing, has secured $300,000 in pre-seed funding to advance commercialisation of its point-of-use water disinfection device.

The capital raise was backed by angel investors, industry supporters, and LX Health, a healthtech investment syndicate and accelerator.

GenAqua, which was founded by Scott Goulter in 2023, was among the 2025 cohort of LX Health’s LuminaX Accelerator on the Gold Coast where the company was named Startup of the Year for its technology.

Goulter says the capital raise marks a turning point for the company.

“This funding allows us to move from validation to real world impact,” he says.

“We can now take the next steps toward commercial launch in healthcare while building momentum in new markets. We are grateful for the support and excited for the year ahead.”

While traditional centralised treatment often cannot remove contamination at the point where water is actually used, GenAqua addresses this by disinfecting water directly at the tap with a compact UVC LED device that is remotely monitored to ensure the correct radiation dose.

GenAqua says its technology provides a “simple and reliable point-of-use solution” that improves safety, reduces operational burden and can save hospitals millions in preventable infection costs from avoidable water-related infections.

The capital raise will be used by GenAqua to progress Watermark certification, prepare for manufacturing and support its approved and current in-facility trial with Queensland Health’s Metro North Public Health Unit.

The startup is also exploring opportunities in South-East Asia, where hotels are seeking solutions that protect guests from waterborne illnesses.

“It is great seeing Scott and GenAqua continue to grow so quickly after the LX accelerator,” says LX Health director Dren Xerxa, noting that the technology is tackling a “massive problem in hospitals and beyond”.

“We’re looking forward to watching their next stage of growth and supporting them with investment and ongoing commercialisation support through our scaleup program, Amplify.”

GenAqua, which is headquartered at the at Cohort Innovation Space in Southport, plans to open its next capital raise in June 2026 to support scaling and broader market expansion.