Why is WEF's Uplink Backing US$2.2m in Water Resilience?

In the face of intensifying climate impacts and rising demand, water systems globally are under unprecedented strain.

Addressing this urgent challenge is the World Economic Forum's Uplink, Water Resilience Challenge, supported by an even share of CHF 1.75m financial award, from HCL Group.

The challenge invites innovative solutions aimed at scaling adaptability, efficiency and long-term sustainability of water infrastructure across the infrastructure, agri-food, technology and energy sectors.

Why water resilience matters

Water resilience refers to the ability of natural, built and institutional water systems to absorb shocks, adapt to stress and continue to deliver essential services. 

As climate change accelerates the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, droughts, floods and pollution, this resilience becomes crucial for economic stability, food security and public health.

Water stress now affects every sector of society. 

In agriculture, inefficient irrigation contributes to depletion of aquifers. 

In cities, stormwater systems buckle under intense rainfall. 

“Through HCL’s collaboration with the World Economic Forum and UpLink, we are helping build a global ecosystem for water innovation, one changemaker at a time," says Sundar Mahalingam, President of Strategy at HCL Group.

"We focus on strategic support, enabling promising innovators to access global platforms, visibility, investors, policymakers and peer networks.

"In just three years, 30 innovators supported through this initiative have raised more than US$90 million and saved more than 12 billion litres of water.

"Our goal is to empower at least 50 such changemakers and many more in the years ahead.”

Meanwhile, emerging technologies such as AI and semiconductors are driving up demand for clean water. 

Recent research shows data centres alone could consume more than 660 billion litres annually by 2027 – enough to sustain a city of one million people.

Further compounding the issue, groundwater is being extracted up to 3.5 times faster than it replenishes in key aquifers in India, China and the United States, threatening long-term water availability for billions.

“Ecolab is excited to team up with the World Economic Forum’s UpLink as an Ecosystem Partner for the Water Resilience Challenge, a global call for bold, water-focused startups tackling some of today’s toughest challenges,” writes Emilio Tenuta, SVP and CSO at Ecolab, on LinkedIn.

“We believe innovation and collaboration are key to a water-resilient future. 

“That’s why we’re supporting UpLink’s mission to scale early-stage solutions that strengthen infrastructure, transform agri-food systems and optimise water use across tech and energy.”

The Water Resilience Challenge

The Water Resilience Challenge seeks scalable innovations that can strengthen systems, reduce vulnerabilities and ensure water security. 

It highlights three primary focus areas:

1. Strengthening infrastructure resilience
   Solutions should enhance grey (engineered), blue (water-based) and green (nature-based) infrastructure to better withstand climate shocks such as droughts and floods, while also closing existing service gaps.
   
2. Rethinking agri-food water use
   This includes innovations in regenerative agriculture, precision irrigation and water reuse systems that improve water efficiency and restore groundwater in food production.
   
3. Optimising water in tech and energy
   From AI data centres to power plants, entries should explore ways to reduce water consumption, manage thermal pollution and recover energy from wastewater streams.

Innovation and impact

Applicants will be judged on four main criteria:

• Business viability: A clear, scalable business model and demonstrable market need
  
• Team and governance: A diverse, capable team and a legal operating entity
  
• Intention to deliver impact: Long-term, measurable benefits for water resilience, tracked with transparent metrics
  
• Innovation and replicability: Uniqueness of approach, supported by evidence from pilot projects or proof of concept, with potential for scaling

“UpLink and HCL Group’s Aquapreneur Innovation Initiative recognises that solving the water crisis demands a dynamic ecosystem to scale effective solutions," explains John Dutton, Head of UpLink, World Economic Forum.

"Together with the World Economic Forum's Food and Water Initiative, we are proud to launch the Water Resilience Challenge, calling on bold early-stage start-ups addressing the most urgent water needs of our time, from rising demands in the tech and agritech sectors to climate-driven infrastructure vulnerabilities.

"By supporting breakthrough innovators and fostering cross-sector collaboration, we’re working together to build the water resilience every industry needs to thrive in a water-stressed world.”

The 10 winning submissions will receive:

• Equal share of CHF 1.75m (almost US$2.2m) in funding
• Access to the UpLink Innovation Ecosystem
• Visibility through the World Economic Forum’s digital channels
• Strategic introductions to funders and partners
• Ongoing technical and operational support.

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