High-Level Overview
ManholeMetrics is an IoT startup founded in 2021 that builds affordable level sensors and a data analytics platform called Porthole to monitor wastewater, sewer, and stormwater collection systems in real time.[1][2][5] It serves municipalities, utilities, and organizations managing these networks, solving problems like flooding, backups, sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs), combined sewer overflows (CSOs), and inflow/infiltration (I&I) through early detection, alerts, and insights for operational, planning, and compliance needs.[1][2] The company has raised over $300K in funding and shows strong growth momentum, with deployments expanding rapidly in 2025 across clients like Columbus Water Works, City of Windsor (ON), Olathe (KS), EBMUD, Toronto Water, Northumbrian Water, Network Rail, and others, alongside milestones like IP68 compliance, accelerator acceptance (ImagineH2O), and new product releases.[3][5]
Origin Story
ManholeMetrics emerged from the need to modernize outdated wastewater management amid climate change, urbanization, and aging infrastructure, which cause frequent incidents like backups and overflows.[2] Founded in July 2021 by Will Dubin in London, UK, the company started as an idea while Dubin was still in university, quickly growing to a team of five with support from Thames Water, multiple awards (including Mayor’s Entrepreneur and Royal Academy of Engineering Enterprise Fellowship), and pilots proving cost-effectiveness.[3][4] Early traction came from leveraging resources like Imperial Enterprise Lab and Geovation hub, leading to rapid evolution into a global player with deployments, certifications (CE, FCC, IC), and an installation app launched by early 2025.[3][5] Recent hires like full-stack engineer Patrick and operations associate Francesca in December 2025 signal further scaling.[5]
Core Differentiators
- Affordability: Lifetime costs around 1/10th of competitors due to low prices for sensors, mounting accessories, and a flat annual fee per sensor covering data transmission, unlimited users, alerts, analytics, and free API access—no extras for installation, maintenance, or integration.[1][2]
- Ease of Use and Durability: IP68-rated sensors for harsh environments, simple installation via a mobile app on App Store and Google Play, and quick deployment without clunky setups.[1][2][5]
- Comprehensive Platform: Porthole provides real-time visualization, email/text alerts for predicted events, analytics for I&I detection, SSO/CSO monitoring, and hydraulic model calibration, enabling proactive responses and planning.[1][2]
- Proven Traction: Multiple 2025 deployments with major utilities (e.g., Yorkshire Water, Network Rail), certifications, and accelerator spots like ImagineH2O, backed by positive reviews for cost-effective flooding management.[3][5]
Role in the Broader Tech Landscape
ManholeMetrics rides the wave of smart cities and climate-resilient infrastructure, where aging urban wastewater networks face intensified flooding risks from extreme weather and population growth, demanding scalable IoT monitoring.[1][2][3] Its timing aligns with regulatory pushes for environmental compliance (e.g., SSO/CSO reduction) and capital projects needing data-driven calibration, amplified by market forces like low-cost sensor tech and 5G/IoT advancements making mass deployment feasible.[2][5] By enabling utilities to shift from reactive to predictive maintenance, it influences the ecosystem—lowering costs for cash-strapped municipalities, supporting sustainability goals, and setting a model for industrial IoT in rail, energy, and construction sectors as seen in Network Rail adoption.[3][5]
Quick Take & Future Outlook
ManholeMetrics is poised for accelerated expansion, building on 2025's deployment surge and hiring to target more U.S./European utilities amid rising climate pressures.[5] Trends like AI-enhanced predictive analytics, regulatory mandates for real-time monitoring, and infrastructure bills (e.g., U.S. IIJA) will fuel growth, potentially evolving it into a platform leader with global API integrations.[1][2] As deployments scale, expect partnerships with hydraulic modeling firms and larger contracts, solidifying its role in preventing urban flooding crises—transforming a 2021 university idea into essential infrastructure tech.