Closed
The aquahacking challenge
Free water innovation program with seed funding
Last Update: April 29, 2026
Funding available
$ 70,000
Timeline
- Closing date : April 6, 2026
Location
Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Canada
Overview
A free 7-month innovation program for water-tech solutions in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence region. It supports early-stage ideas with mentorship, training, and seed funding of up to $70,000.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop team skills
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 70,000 $
Timeline
- Closing date : April 6, 2026
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
Location
- Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Canadians
- Youth (<40)
- Startups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Developing early-stage water-tech solutions.
- Creating, testing, and refining solutions for freshwater challenges.
- Working through ideation, business model development, and launch preparation.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Undergraduate and graduate students.
- Researchers and lab teams.
- Young professionals and early-stage entrepreneurs.
- Builders, designers, engineers, analysts, and community-minded problem-solvers.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Regulatory projects.
- Major infrastructure projects.
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada.
- United States.
- Great Lakes and St. Lawrence region.
Selection criteria
- Relevance to one of the program water issues.
- Strength of the solution presented at the semi-final.
- Potential of the idea to become a viable startup.
How to apply
- Step 1: Register online
- Submit your registration through the program’s online application platform.
- Step 2: Join program activities
- Take part in team-building and info sessions if desired.
- Work on your solution through the program stages.
- Step 3: Present your solution
- Pitch your solution during the semi-final stage.
- If selected, continue to the final phase and finale.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed through a semi-final stage.
- A panel of experts selects the top 10 teams for the next phase.
- Finalist teams present their solutions at the finale.
- Winning teams receive awards and may access incubation and further support.
Additional information
- Participation is free.
- No prior entrepreneurship or technical experience is required.
- Participants can join solo or in a team.
- Finalists may gain access to incubators, mentoring, and pilot project opportunities.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the The aquahacking challenge Program
What is the The aquahacking challenge?
A free 7-month innovation program for water-tech solutions in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence region. It supports early-stage ideas with mentorship, training, and seed funding of up to $70,000.
How much funding can be received?
The aquahacking challenge Funds up to $70,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the The aquahacking challenge program?
To be eligible for the The aquahacking challenge program, you must:
Open to water-focused innovators.
Project must address challenge issues.
Solo or team applications allowed.
What expenses are eligible under The aquahacking challenge?
Developing early-stage water-tech solutions.
Creating, testing, and refining solutions for freshwater challenges.
Working through ideation, business model development, and launch preparation.
Who can I contact for more information about the The aquahacking challenge?
You can contact Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative (GLSLCI) by email at info@aquaaction.org.
Where is the The aquahacking challenge available?
The The aquahacking challenge program is available the province of Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan.
Is the The aquahacking challenge a grant, loan, or tax credit?
The aquahacking challenge is a Partnering and Collaboration