# 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.


## NewTransforming 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.

[Apply here](https://initiatives.weforum.org/api/communities/v1/public/initiatives/site/page-redirect?initiative_id=23ded092-7310-4cd0-92d4-e579a0dedff7&page_id=61585cbc-f714-4f1c-851c-3a6320948b59)


## 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.

[Get involved](https://airtable.com/app814Rdy2J9p3KRD/pagnVRVGoFKfpBDnX/form?prefill_Form+Source=UpLink_Website&hide_Form+Source=true&hide_Challenge=true&prefill_[LR]+Identified+Sources=Lead+form&hide_[LR]+Identified+Sources=true)


### 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 >


## 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.


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## PartnersThematic funder


*Partner organizations and sponsors*


## Ecosystem partners


## Members

*Browse and filter community members*


## Members

*Browse and filter community members*

[Explore ecosystem partners](https://uplink.weforum.org/organizations#subcommunities=Water&membershipCategory=Ecosystem%20Partner&sortBy=name&orderBy=asc)


# VENTURE SPOTLIGHTOxyle: 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.

[Explore UpLink Ventures](https://uplink.weforum.org/organizations#subcommunities=Water&membershipCategory=Venture&sortBy=name&orderBy=asc)


## Past Innovation challenges


### Water Resilience Challenge

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

[Meet the winners](https://initiatives.weforum.org/api/communities/v1/public/initiatives/site/page-redirect?initiative_id=23ded092-7310-4cd0-92d4-e579a0dedff7&page_id=8de29fd6-4a37-408e-bb57-cbf731308f16)


### Tackling Water Pollution Challenge

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

[Meet the winners](https://initiatives.weforum.org/api/communities/v1/public/initiatives/site/page-redirect?initiative_id=23ded092-7310-4cd0-92d4-e579a0dedff7&page_id=d19d692b-fc28-49ae-92ba-8c16527b6f3d)


### Zero Water Waste Challenge

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

[Meet the winners](https://youtu.be/u46x6du0ObQ)


### Global Freshwater Challenge

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

[Meet the winners](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaCv6o-lJh4)


## Explore solutions and insights


### This container harnesses nature to treat polluted water

[Watch](https://youtu.be/Ceo3b2XRCjk)


### This start-up uses the power of fungi to replace oil based chemicals

[Watch](https://youtu.be/J5NaxR_T6yE)


### This start-up helps buildings recycle up to 95% of their water

[Watch](https://youtu.be/Fp5tuDrGmCA)


### An Innovator Explains - How to destroy 'forever chemicals'

[Watch](https://youtu.be/TsoIuV-Oxd4)