New Delhi: The HCL Group and UpLink, an initiative of the World Economic Forum, have officially launched the fourth edition of the Aquapreneur Innovation Challenge under the theme Water Resilience Challenge.
This global initiative seeks early-stage entrepreneurs and startups building scalable solutions to secure the world’s freshwater future. Applications are open until August 4, 2025, and winners will be announced in January 2026.
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The Water Resilience Challenge aims to tackle urgent threats to global water systems, including climate-induced volatility, infrastructure breakdowns, agricultural water waste, and industrial water overuse.
Ten winning solutions will collectively receive USD 2.19 million and gain access to global platforms, expert mentorship, and a powerful investor ecosystem.
This challenge is part of a five-year, USD 2.19 million Aquapreneur Innovation Initiative backed by HCL Group and UpLink, designed to foster breakthrough technologies for freshwater sustainability. The initiative has already helped 30 startups raise $90 million and conserve over 12 billion liters of water globally.
Focus Areas of the Water Resilience Challenge:
- Strengthening Infrastructure Resilience: Innovations that enable water systems to endure extreme weather events such as floods, droughts, and heatwaves.
- Rethinking Agri-food Water Use: Tools to transform agricultural water use via regenerative practices and smart irrigation technologies.
- Optimizing Water in Technology and Energy Sectors: Water-efficient solutions for data centers, semiconductor facilities, and energy infrastructure, including wastewater energy recovery.
“The Water Resilience Challenge is more than a funding program – it’s a platform to scale impact,” said Sundar Mahalingam, President of Strategy at HCL Group. “We’re creating a global innovation network to empower entrepreneurs to drive real-world water solutions.”
John Dutton, Head of UpLink, added, “The water crisis demands urgent innovation. This challenge supports changemakers addressing the most pressing issues – from climate-driven vulnerabilities to industrial water use.”
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Past winners include DigitalPaani, which went on to secure funding and partnerships with high-level investors and stakeholders, further validating the impact of the initiative.
The announcement also coincides with the World Economic Forum’s Chief Sustainability Officers Meeting during the London Climate Action Week on June 26, 2025, further amplifying global momentum around water resilience and climate innovation.
For eligibility and application details, visit: wef.ch/4kTNwHD
