WEF UpLink

Water

Building a first-of-its kind innovation ecosystem for the global freshwater sector

Water covers 70% of Earth's surface, yet freshwater — vital for drinking, bathing, and irrigation — accounts for just 3%. With over 2 billion people lacking adequate supply, water scarcity is a growing global concern. By 2030, water demand could surpass sustainable supply by 40%. This crisis impacts our health, food production, economic growth, and biodiversity, with an estimated $260 billion lost annually due to lack of basic water and sanitation.

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Transforming Water Systems

A call for scalable, next-generation solutions, including AI and advanced technologies, that overcome systemic issues, enhance circularity, reduce dependencies in critical industries and strengthen supply reliability.

Collaborating for impact 

UpLink has partnered with leading global conglomerate HCL Group and the World Economic Forum’s Food and Water Initiative, to drive freshwater conservation and management through the Aquapreneur Innovation Initiative. Through a $15 million investment over five years, we are building a first-of-its kind innovation ecosystem for the global freshwater sector, accelerating progress on the water innovation agenda.

Investing in Water:
Aligning Investment Strategies with Water Innovation

This report, a collaboration between the Forum's Food and Water Initiative, HCL Group and UpLink, emphasizes that water is evolving from a utility to a strategic asset crucial for climate resilience and economic stability.

Read the report >

Blue report cover with water bubbles and ripples; a small white logo and multiple lines of white text near the top.

Every fifth child on this planet faces water scarcity. Together we will not just encourage and scale innovations in this critical area but also help build capacity for water-focused entrepreneurs, so-called 'aquapreneurs', to execute innovative solutions.

Roshni Nadar Malhotra

Chairperson, HCL Group

A global ecosystem

UpLink builds innovation ecosystems that help early-stage, purpose-driven entrepreneurs scale solutions for markets and economies vital to a resilient, sustainable and prosperous future. UpLink Ventures operate across regions worldwide.

Partners


Thematic funder

Ecosystem partners

2030 Water Resources Group
ACWA Power
Anheuser-Busch InBev

ARUP

AstraZeneca

AtkinsRéalis
Auctionomics Inc
Bain & Company

Bayer

BlueTech Research

Burnt Island Ventures
Circle of Blue
DCVC
DWS
Ecolab

VENTURE SPOTLIGHT

Oxyle: Protecting global waters from Forever Chemicals

Oxyle is the world’s first economical, sustainable, and permanent answer to PFAS contamination. Its breakthrough PFAS destruction solution empowers industrial and environmental remediation companies in their fight against water contamination. The solution don’t just filter or adsorb PFAS, but eliminates it entirely to below detection limits. With 50x lower average energy consumption than other destructive treatments, it is the most energy efficient, cost effective treatment on the market. Established in 2020, Oxyle is on a mission to protect our water from PFAS - down to the last drop.

Person speaking with a headset mic in front of a blue “World Economic Forum” backdrop, gesturing with both hands.

Past Innovation challenges

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Water Resilience Challenge

A call for innovative solutions to enable water resilience across infrastructure, agri-food, tech and energy systems.

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Tackling Water Pollution Challenge

A call for innovative solutions focusing on water quality and the climate impacts of water. 

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Zero Water Waste Challenge

A call for innovative water usage approaches to improve freshwater conservation from supply to demand, moving towards zero water waste.

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Global Freshwater Challenge

A call for  innovative solutions that restore water quality and build climate resilience.

Explore solutions and insights

This container harnesses nature to treat polluted water
This start-up uses the power of fungi to replace oil based chemicals
This start-up helps buildings recycle up to 95% of their water
An Innovator Explains - How to destroy 'forever chemicals'

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