AUARA

AUARA operates as a social enterprise, marketing bottled natural mineral water and other beverages to fund clean water projects in developing nations. The company was founded in Madrid, Spain, in 2014 by Antonio Espinosa de los Monteros and Pablo Urbano. Espinosa de los Monteros, an architect by training, was inspired to create the enterprise after participating in various humanitarian and volunteer projects in countries like Peru, Cambodia, and Ethiopia, where he identified the lack of access to clean water as a fundamental crisis. This firsthand experience directly shaped the company's core mission.

The business model is structured to dedicate 100% of its dividends to social projects that provide access to drinking water. Revenue is generated through the direct sale of its products to consumers and through partnerships with businesses, such as restaurants and corporate clients, who stock their water. As a certified B Corporation and the first Spanish company accredited by Social Enterprise Mark, AUARA is legally bound to its social mission, ensuring that profits are reinvested into building infrastructure like wells, water tanks, and sanitation facilities in communities in need across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. By November 2023, the company had developed 150 infrastructure projects in 23 countries.

AUARA's primary product is natural mineral water, notable for its packaging. The company was a pioneer in Europe by using bottles made from 100% recycled PET (rPET), which are also fully recyclable. This commitment to a circular economy addresses the environmental footprint typically associated with bottled water by not creating new plastic and reducing petroleum consumption. The bottle's square design is a deliberate choice to optimize transportation and storage, allowing more units to be shipped per pallet, which in turn saves on fuel costs. Beyond water, the product line has expanded to include a range of organic and fair-trade juices. In 2022, AUARA was integrated into the Corporación Hijos de Rivera to further its mission.

Keywords: social enterprise, clean water access, sustainable beverage, bottled water, rPET packaging, B Corp, social impact, water scarcity, circular economy, ESG, impact investing, Antonio Espinosa de los Monteros, Pablo Urbano, Corporación Hijos de Rivera, potable water projects, sanitation infrastructure, sustainable packaging, corporate social responsibility, fair trade beverages, impact-driven business, developing countries aid, water infrastructure