Toilet Board Coalition

The Toilet Board Coalition (TBC) is a business-led non-profit organization founded in 2015, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. The coalition brings together multinational corporations, government agencies, and sanitation entrepreneurs to accelerate the development of the Sanitation Economy, a market-based approach to solving the global sanitation crisis. TBC operates on the premise that sanitation challenges represent not just public health problems but also significant business opportunities in areas such as waste-to-value products, water treatment, hygiene technology, and clean energy from waste. The coalition's membership includes major global corporations that provide market access, mentorship, and strategic guidance to sanitation innovators.

Role in Startup Ecosystem

TBC occupies a distinctive position in the global startup ecosystem by focusing on a sector that most accelerators and incubators overlook: sanitation and hygiene. The coalition's accelerator programs have graduated over 111 small and medium enterprises from countries across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, with a strong presence in India where sanitation challenges are particularly acute. TBC connects sanitation entrepreneurs with corporate partners who can provide distribution channels, technical expertise, and procurement opportunities. This corporate-backed model addresses one of the biggest challenges facing sanitation startups: access to markets and customers at scale.

Programs and Initiatives

TBC runs accelerator programs specifically designed for sanitation economy entrepreneurs. These programs provide business mentorship, access to corporate networks, technical guidance on product development and regulatory compliance, and introductions to potential investors and customers. The coalition's Accelerator for Sanitation Enterprises helps early-stage ventures refine their business models, develop go-to-market strategies, and prepare for investment. TBC also publishes research on the Sanitation Economy, quantifying the market opportunity and providing data that helps entrepreneurs and investors understand the commercial viability of sanitation ventures. The coalition organizes the annual Sanitation Economy Summit and other convenings that bring together the full spectrum of stakeholders in the sector.

Who Benefits

Entrepreneurs building products and services in sanitation, hygiene, water treatment, and waste-to-value conversion are the primary beneficiaries. Indian startups working on toilet technology, waste management, water purification, and related areas can access TBC's global corporate network and accelerator programs. Social enterprises seeking to address sanitation challenges through market-based solutions benefit from TBC's expertise in building commercially sustainable models in the sanitation sector. Corporate innovation teams at TBC's member companies also benefit from curated deal flow of vetted sanitation ventures.

Strategic Impact

TBC's work has strategic significance for India, where the Swachh Bharat Mission has created unprecedented government focus and investment in sanitation infrastructure. By connecting Indian sanitation entrepreneurs with global corporate partners and investors, TBC helps ensure that India's sanitation sector develops commercially sustainable solutions alongside government-funded programs. The coalition's market-building approach has the potential to create a self-sustaining sanitation industry that continues to deliver improvements in public health outcomes beyond the duration of government schemes.