Deadline Date: June 04, 2026
The World Economic Forum, in collaboration with UpLink and the HCL Group, has launched the Transforming Water Systems Challenge to support scalable, next-generation solutions that address systemic water challenges, strengthen resilience and accelerate the transition towards circular and reliable water systems worldwide.
The challenge focuses on transforming water systems using next-generation AI and digital technologies, lowering freshwater intensity across water-intensive industries, and strengthening the reliability, quality and continuity of water supply systems. It seeks solutions that address infrastructure delivery challenges, regulatory and permitting bottlenecks, innovative financing, cybersecurity, institutional capacity gaps, industrial water efficiency, circular water use, reduced freshwater withdrawals, climate resilience, contamination risks, supply diversification, improved treatment performance and reinforced water infrastructure.
Global water systems are facing increasing pressure from climate volatility, pollution and rising industrial demand, creating challenges related to water scarcity, flooding and water contamination. Utilities and industries are struggling to ensure reliable and sustainable water supply while dealing with fragmented systems, infrastructure constraints and governance complexities. Through this challenge, the organizers aim to support innovations that can transform the way water is sourced, managed, reused and governed.
The initiative is designed to mobilize early-stage innovators and connect them with a global ecosystem of partners, helping breakthrough solutions achieve scalable impact. Selected innovators will gain access to global visibility, engagement opportunities and networks that can support deployment and long-term growth.
The challenge is open to for-profit ventures operating at the pre-seed, seed or Series A stage that have raised less than $50 million in total funding. Applicants are expected to demonstrate strong technical feasibility, a clear problem-solution fit, measurable impact potential and scalable business models.
The organizers are particularly looking for ventures that address tangible and well-defined problems, demonstrate differentiated solutions and show evidence of traction through paying customers, contracts, pilots or strong commercial pipelines. Solutions should also present a credible pathway for long-term impact, scalability and sustainable revenue generation.
In addition to solution quality and impact, the challenge places strong emphasis on the founding team’s expertise, execution capability and ability to scale. Teams with relevant domain knowledge, complementary skills and the capacity to attract customers, partners and investment are encouraged to apply.
Selected winners will each receive a CHF 175,000 prize from the HCL Group along with opportunities to engage with global stakeholders working to strengthen water security and economic resilience.
For more information, visit World Economic Forum.
