Peter Yolles
Managing Partner @ Echo River Capital | MBA, Water Expert, Impact Investor
San Francisco Bay Area
Overview
Work Experience
Managing Partner
2021 - Current
Investing in impactful water-related technologies that improve human health, the environment and climate resilience. Echo River backs founders developing next generation digital solutions, distributed wastewater treatment and reuse, and decarbonization of the water cycle. Echo River Capital is a certified B Corporation and is recognized as an ImpactAssets 50 Impact Fund.
Advisor, Angel Investor
2018 - 2020
Advising founders and entrepreneurs on navigating the water industry. Sharing strategic and operational expertise with emerging companies to achieve ambitious growth going-to-market, scaling, fundraising, and team building. Current clients include innovative companies in data analytics, AI & ML, IIoT, wastewater treatment and reuse, govtech, stormwater, and flood management. I also advised a network of family offices on water investment strategies. Clients have included 2nd Nature Water, Epic Cleantec, Voda.ai and CREO Syndicate.
Board Member
2009 - 2020
Founder and Chief Policy Officer
2014 - 2018
The WaterSmart mission is to change the way the world uses water. Using our advanced technology solutions, 200+ water utilities are able to better communicate with their consumers about the value of water, how their water use compares to others, and how they can save money. Our suite of engagement and analytics tools allow customers to help themselves by accessing detailed information to answer questions and solve common problems. These capabilities translate into significant cost savings for utilities, help protect revenue, and create dramatic improvements in customer satisfaction levels. This all contributes to more resilient water systems that benefit customers, the communities they live in, and the environment. Learn more at WaterSmart.com.
Founder and CEO
2009 - 2014
Built and led all aspects of startup Software-as-a-Service company including sales, marketing, product management, customer success, recruiting and fundraising. > Created concept for WaterSmart with Rob Steiner, winning an inaugural Imagine H2O prize > Developed minimum viable product and product-market fit > Established robust, mission-driven organizational culture including B-Corp certification and conversion to public benefit corporation > Recruited and managed first 20 team members > Sold first 20 utility partnerships in US > Generated initial $1M in annual recurring revenue > Raised $12M from venture institutions and family offices
Principal
2008 - 2011
Advised leaders in corporate, agricultural, governmental and non-governmental organizations on: • Sustainable water strategy • Water footprints • Water efficiency • Water, energy and climate • Water rights and marketing
Project Director
2001 - 2008
Established water efficiency projects, conducted real estate and water transactions, led strategic planning, facilitated regulatory compliance, and managed staff and consultants in engineering, ecology, law, and economics.
The Nature Conservancy is a non-profit conservation organization that works around the world to protect ecologically lands and waters.
Raised $111,779,778.00 from U.S. Department of Agriculture, International Paper, Appalachian Regional Commission, John Deere Foundation, NFWF, NFWF, Salesforce, The Duke Energy Foundation, Australian Ethical Investment and Onpoint Community Credit Union.
Vice President
1999 - 2001
Partnered with California agricultural irrigation districts to conserve, transfer and lease water to municipal water districts. Led negotiations, evaluated water savings, and oversaw regulatory approvals from state agencies to close six transfer agreements.
Associate
1997 - 1999
Analyzed water and infrastructure project finance opportunities in the municipal and corporate markets, and helped launch a new timber investment strategy.
GE Intelligent Platforms is a global provider of software, hardware, services, and embedded computing platforms.
Intern
1995 - 1996
Conducted cost-benefit analyses of major water infrastructure projects, such as dams and pipelines, and their impacts on retail water rates and ecosystem restoration.
Analyst
1992 - 1994
Researched industrial, agricultural and domestic water use. Provided data to support the human right to water. Investigated international water disputes.
Business Development Manager
1991 - 1992
Developed corporate partnerships for Fastline, which launched location based services focused on navigation and traffic information to mobile devices. First telephone on-demand traffic information technology service on West Coast of US. Led to development of TravInfo/511 traveler information services in San Francisco Bay Area.