# Impact

Data-driven impact advancing venture growth, economic resilience and real-world outcomes

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## NewAnnual Impact Report 2026

Early-stage innovation is helping industries and economies build resilience and create long-term value. By connecting purpose-driven entrepreneurs with corporates, investors and policymakers, UpLink helps promising solutions move from pilot to scale. This report highlights how ventures are gaining commercial traction and deploying technologies that strengthen infrastructure, improve resource efficiency and support more resilient systems and industries.

[Read the report](https://www.weforum.org/publications/uplink-annual-impact-report-2026)


### Highlights


**$858 m** Funding raised by UpLink Ventures

**73%** Advanced to a new product stage

**65%** Expanded into at least 1 new market

**80%** Secured new commercial or R&D partnerships


**4.3 billion litres** Wastewater treated

**167k tonnes** CO₂ emissions avoided or reduced

**372k tonnes** Waste avoided or reduced

**37k people** Supported to adapt to climate change


## Case studyMicrosoft partners with UpLink Ventures,Field Factors and Shayp

The rapid growth of data centres is increasing pressure on local water systems, making water efficiency an urgent priority for technology companies. Through UpLink, Microsoft partnered with FieldFactors and SHAYP to explore new ways to reduce the water footprint of its operations. These collaborations demonstrate how connecting corporate demand with early-stage innovation can accelerate the deployment of practical, scalable solutions and help address water risk in the digital economy.


### How we measure impact

At UpLink, impact is defined by scale, adoption and value creation, reflecting how early-stage innovation achieves growth, strengthens economic resilience and delivers measurable outcomes. Impact is assessed through a robust, data-driven framework that evaluates progress across three integrated dimensions, using standardized data collected from ventures, validated against external sources and aligned with globally recognized standards.


### Ecosystem value

The catalytic role of UpLink in accelerating scale and economic value creation through demand signals, strategic partnerships, increased visibility and cross-sector collaboration.


### Venture growth

Progress in capital raised, revenues, partnerships, product maturity and market expansion, reflecting commercial readiness, scalability and long-term viability.


### Social, environmental andeconomic outcomes

Tangible results delivered by ventures, including emissions reduced, resources conserved, livelihoods supported and communities strengthened across critical systems.


### Past reports and publications


### UpLink Annual Impact Report 2025

[Learn more](https://www.weforum.org/publications/uplink-annual-impact-report-2025/)


### UpLink Annual Impact Report 2024

[Learn more](https://www.weforum.org/publications/uplink-annual-impact-report/)


### Watch impact stories


### Backing impactful innovation is good for people, the planet and profits

[Watch](https://youtu.be/lP2clf1RokU)


### These 3 innovators are joining forces to supercharge mangrove restoration

[Watch](https://youtu.be/F3bxU3uJ0G8)


### Innovation and collaboration are building a sustainable future for San Francisco.This is how

[Watch](https://youtu.be/79q3xpMJAlw)


### Innovation and collaboration can help us live better,for longer

[Watch](https://youtu.be/1wltF8_fgg0)