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.
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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.
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
Here are answers to the most common questions about the The aquahacking challenge. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
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