HCL Group & UpLink Recognize Top Innovators Tackling Water Pollution
Water pollution remains one of the most pressing global challenges affecting public health and environmental sustainability. Recognizing the urgency of this issue, HCL Group, a global leader in business innovation, and UpLink, the World Economic Forum’s platform for early-stage entrepreneurs, have unveiled the winners of the ‘Tackling Water Pollution Challenge.’ This initiative, part of the broader CHF 15 million Aquapreneur Innovation Initiative, aims to revolutionize water conservation and pollution mitigation through groundbreaking technology and entrepreneurship.
Empowering 10 Aquapreneurs to Scale Their Impact
Selected from a pool of over 270 applicants across 60 countries, 10 outstanding aquapreneurs have been chosen for their pioneering work in tackling water pollution. These winners, spanning diverse geographic and technological backgrounds, will receive a collective CHF 1.75 million financial support. In addition, they will gain exclusive mentorship, resources, and global networking opportunities facilitated by HCL Group and UpLink.
Innovative Solutions for Water Sustainability
The winning projects present groundbreaking solutions, including next-generation filtration systems, nature-based water treatment, advanced wastewater purification, and real-time water quality monitoring. These technologies combat pollutants such as industrial chemicals, microplastics, and PFAS (Per- and polyfluorinated substances), commonly called ‘Forever Chemicals.’
A Commitment to a Sustainable Future
Roshni Nadar Malhotra, Chairperson of HCL Group, emphasized the far-reaching impact of this initiative:
“Water scarcity and pollution pose existential threats to humanity and biodiversity. Our Aquapreneur Innovation Initiative seeks to identify and support the world’s most promising entrepreneurs in this space. Over the past two years, the 20 winning start-ups have collectively saved over 12 billion liters of water and treated 3 billion liters of wastewater. Since joining our initiative, they have also successfully raised over $70 million in funding. This year’s winners will continue this trajectory, pioneering solutions safeguarding our planet’s most vital resource.”
A Global Movement for Change
Olivier Schwab, Managing Director of the World Economic Forum, reiterated the significance of collaborative innovation in addressing water crises:
“As water challenges grow more urgent, initiatives like this set a global benchmark for sustainable impact. By supporting bold, scalable solutions, HCL Group and UpLink drive meaningful change toward a future where clean, accessible water is a reality for all.”
Meet the 2025 Winners of the Tackling Water Pollution Challenge
- Aquagga (USA): Innovating PFAS destruction through Hydrothermal Alkaline Treatment (HALT) technology.
- Digital Paani (India): Enhancing water treatment operations in resource-scarce areas.
- Fluidion (France): Revolutionizing real-time water quality monitoring and pollution detection.
- FREDsense (Canada): Providing lab-grade water testing solutions in field conditions.
- Fungi Life (Colombia): Utilizing fungal biotechnology for sustainable water purification.
- Mimbly (Sweden): Reducing water waste in the laundry industry with innovative filtration.
- Oxyle (Switzerland): Eliminating PFAS contamination with a sustainable purification system.
- SENTRY (Canada): Deploying bio-electrode sensor technology for wastewater monitoring.
- Syrinx (Australia): Implementing ‘Wetland-in-a-Box’ solutions for climate-resilient water treatment.
- WASE (UK): Transforming industrial wastewater treatment into a bioenergy opportunity.
Scaling Innovation for Real-World Impact
Beyond financial support, these aquapreneurs will participate in high-impact events and projects led by the World Economic Forum and its partners. These platforms will help accelerate their technologies from pilot stages to large-scale implementation, ensuring real-world solutions for pressing water challenges.
Shaping a Sustainable Future Together
The Aquapreneur Innovation Initiative continues to drive meaningful progress in global water sustainability. HCL Group and UpLink are creating an ecosystem where innovation thrives by providing funding, mentorship, and access to influential networks. With each new cohort of aquapreneurs, the initiative takes another step toward achieving a world where water resources are protected, pollution is mitigated, and communities have access to clean, safe water.
As the initiative moves forward, the commitment to water innovation remains stronger than ever, inspiring new waves of entrepreneurs to take on the challenge and shape a sustainable future for all.
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