NewsAquapreneur Innovation Initiative
The Aquapreneur Innovation Initiative is a global innovation program established through a partnership between HCL Group and UpLink, the World Economic Forum’s open innovation platform. Launched in 2022, the initiative seeks to accelerate breakthrough solutions that address some of the world’s most pressing water challenges through entrepreneurship, technology, and cross-sector collaboration. Supported by a commitment of CHF 15 million from HCL Group over five years (2022–2027), the initiative identifies and supports high-potential water innovators known as “Aquapreneurs”, who are developing scalable solutions for water conservation, water quality improvement, wastewater treatment, groundwater management, irrigation efficiency, and climate resilience. The initiative is founded on the belief that achieving global water security requires innovative technologies and business models that can be rapidly deployed and scaled. By connecting entrepreneurs with funding, mentorship, global visibility, and strategic partnerships, the Aquapreneur Innovation Initiative aims to accelerate the adoption of solutions that can transform water systems worldwide.
