Communities worldwide face increasingly urgent issues around water scarcity and sustainable infrastructure as climate change accelerates.
In this high-stakes context, Deploy Tech, known as the "IKEA of flat-packed concrete infrastructure," has emerged as a game-changer in this space. It has pioneered a practical, scalable approach to water storage and infrastructure solutions. 
Deploy Tech’s 14R Water Tanks and InstaSlabs (crafted from an innovative concrete-infused fabric called Concrete Canvas), can be transported flat-packed, hydrated on-site and hardened in just 24 hours. This unique model offers a sustainable alternative to conventional concrete and is adaptable to disaster response and daily infrastructure needs in underserved areas.
Deploy Tech’s solutions are especially suited to communities with limited access to stable infrastructure, including those affected by climate-related disasters. Over the past four years, Deploy Tech has reached over 135,000 people in eight countries, providing critical water storage and saving an estimated 124,000 kg in CO₂ emissions through their social impact and sustainability programmes.
Trusted by prominent organisations such as UNICEF, the World Food Programme and the University of Cambridge, Deploy Tech is making a measurable impact on global water and infrastructure challenges.
Backed by the Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme (BWAGP), Deploy Tech is well-positioned to expand its impact. In this case study, co-founder Beren Kayali, shares the story behind Deploy Tech with its challenges and the BWAGP’s essential role in advancing its mission.
Tell us about Deploy Tech.
Deploy Tech was born from a commitment to improving water access through innovative infrastructure solutions. Our journey began when our co-founder Paul, inspired by an early experience witnessing water scarcity in rural communities, started exploring water storage solutions.
Paul’s passion for clean water began when he was eight years old. He accompanied his father to celebrate a new water system he had helped build in a rural community. Seeing the difference it made in people’s lives sparked a lifelong commitment that led him to study over 170 water systems across South America, and eventually to pursue a Master's in Innovation Design Engineering at Imperial College London.
This is where we met. My strong background in mechanical engineering and innovative work recognised by British Airways made me the ideal partner in Deploy Tech’s journey. Together, we established Deploy Tech to bring sustainable infrastructure solutions to the world.
Our 14R Water Tanks and InstaSlabs cater to multiple sectors, providing essential resources like portable water storage for disaster relief and a sustainable foundation solution for garden sheds and office pods. The tanks arrive flat-packed, inflate on-site and harden within 24 hours, making them incredibly efficient and environmentally friendly.
What are your proudest moments in business so far?
One of our proudest moments came in February 2023, when we joined the relief efforts following the devastating earthquakes in Turkey. Through a crowdfunding initiative, we donated three 14R Water Tanks and supplied other essential equipment to support survivors’ water, sanitation and hygiene needs.
Seeing our products play a critical role in a humanitarian crisis was humbling and validating. It showed that our solutions can make a significant impact.
What challenges have you faced in business?
Starting Deploy Tech during the pandemic was undoubtedly challenging. We faced significant hurdles in funding, production and understanding our market needs. Early on, developing our production line alongside the product was resource-intensive and required a lot of trial and error. Waiting for our product to be "perfect" before reaching out to customers delayed our ability to gather valuable feedback and refine our product-market fit.
Also, we found that building the right team was more complex than expected. Our initial hires were mostly recent graduates, but we’ve since learned the importance of a balanced team with varying experience levels.
If you were starting again, what would you do differently
Looking back, we would have approached several areas differently. First, we would have balanced our hires to include recent graduates and those with a few years of industry experience. This would have allowed us to develop an internal knowledge-sharing culture where experienced professionals could mentor newer team members.
We’d also focus more on product-market fit from the outset, engaging potential customers early to understand their needs better rather than waiting until the product was fully developed. We’ve learned that early feedback is invaluable and can save time and resources in the long run.
How has support from Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme helped your business?
The Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme (BWAGP) has been an invaluable partner in our growth. The SmartCYMRU grant provided financial assistance, enabling us to take our product to a demonstration stage and refine its technical readiness. We also benefited from export support, helping us expand our impact beyond the UK.
BWAGP has been pivotal in addressing our hiring challenges and production scale-up needs. With the programme's guidance, we have managed our funding strategies more effectively and developed a sustainable growth model that aligns with our vision. This structured support from a relationship manager who understands our business has been instrumental in navigating the complex landscape of a rapidly growing start-up.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?
- Exposure alone doesn’t drive success. Make sure your exposure is from targeted, relevant audiences. Otherwise, it can lead to misleading validation and unrealistic expectations.
- Build a team that cares deeply about the mission: Hire people who are genuinely passionate people about what they do. This shared commitment can make all the difference.
- Trust your instincts: If an opportunity or partnership doesn’t feel like a clear “yes,” it’s best to decline. Focus on what aligns with your goals and values.
Click here to learn more about Deploy Tech.
Click here for further information on the Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme.