KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 (Bernama) -- Global conglomerate HCL Group and UpLink, the early-stage innovation platform of the World Economic Forum (WEF), have launched the fourth challenge under the Aquapreneur Innovation Initiative, aimed at enhancing global water resilience.
Known as the Water Resilience Challenge, the initiative was announced at the Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Tianjin, China. Applications are open until Aug 4, with winners to be announced in January 2026.
According to a statement, the top 10 selected innovators will share a total financial award of 1.75 million Swiss francs. (1 Swiss franc = RM5.28)
The Aquapreneur Innovation Initiative is a five-year, 15 million Swiss francs partnership between HCL Group, UpLink, and the WEF’s Food and Water team. The initiative seeks to build a global innovation ecosystem to protect freshwater resources.
The Water Resilience Challenge invites early-stage solutions that address infrastructure resilience, agri-food water use, and industrial water efficiency.
It seeks innovations that can strengthen urban and rural water systems, including drainage, to better withstand extreme weather events such as heatwaves, droughts, floods and stormwater.
It also encourages the development of regenerative and nature-based solutions in agriculture, including improved irrigation and water reuse practices to replenish surface and groundwater.
In addition, the challenge aims to identify technologies that can enhance water efficiency in energy systems and high-demand industries such as artificial intelligence data centres and semiconductor manufacturing, while also promoting energy recovery from wastewater.
An official announcement on the challenge was made at the Chief Sustainability Officers (CSO) Meeting during the London Climate Action Week on June 26.
The challenge offers selected innovators access to funding, mentorship, and a global network of experts, investors and partners to scale their impact.
-- BERNAMA
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