AquaEntrepreneur

Quebec 2025

 

From innovation to action:

 

Propelling water businesses to strengthen economic and national resilience

Water Purification at Dawn-1

The AquaEntrepreneur program is a 6 to 10-month support program


Designed for companies in the water cycle ready to innovate, pivot and accelerate their growth. Entrepreneurs benefit from personalized coaching, with a solid network of expert coaches. To accelerate their commercialization and generate impact, they have access to exclusive business opportunities and trade missions abroad.


Together, we're building a secure and prosperous future for water.

Group of business people at the office

AquaEntrepreneur supports startups in all water-related sectors.

 

Our mission: to boost the competitiveness and growth of Quebec water technology companies by transforming innovation into commercial success!

Have questions?

Visit our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

AquaEntrepreneur - Water Tech

Meet our founders

As an innovative entrepreneur, AquaEntrepreneur enabled me to validate complex markets effectively. Their team of experts quickly gave me the answers I needed, and trade shows opened doors for us to prestigious customers as far south as Arizona. 

Étienne Lemieux

President & CEO | BioAlert Solutions

Our coach has successfully identified the essential actions to take to achieve maximum impact. She particularly helped us enhance the value proposition and develop a new business model tailored to the municipal sector.

Carole Riopel

Co-founder | EXO Tactik inc.

X-Telia covers more than 25 cities in Canada, with customers in the USA leveraging our innovations to read their water meters. This water market is poised to explode in the next 5 years. Today is the time to position ourselves to seize the opportunity. Water businesses will thrive, addressing a problem that poses a threat to humanity.

Éric Bourbeau

CEO | X-Telia

Étienne Lemieux
Carole Riopel
Éric Bourbeau

WHY JOIN ?

 
  • Benefit from more than 30 hours of personalized coaching from experts
  • Secure new pilot projects and contracts
  • Obtain an ISO-compliant water and/or carbon impact report
  • Take part in trade missions abroad to open up new international markets
  • Actively promote your company and attend high-profile events
Picture 1, Section 3
WHY JOIN 3 Arizona Trade Mission

If you're an entrepreneur with an innovative solution in the water sector, the AquaEntrepreneur program is your gateway to commercial success.

 

Fill in the application form now and contribute to a safer, more sustainable future for water and the blue economy.

Have questions?
Visit our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who is eligible?


The AquaEntrepreneur Program is for:

  • Companies incorporated in Quebec

  • Companies developing innovative water-related solutions

  • Technologies ready for real-world deployment (TRL 7+ level). with strong growth potential and a mature business model

  • Companies generating revenues below $5 million
WHO SHOULD APPLY 1
WHO SHOULD APPLY 2
Ready to accelerate your impact?

Fill in the application form now.

 

Have questions?

Visit our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

AquaEntrepreneur results (2022-2025)

Business - White
Companies supported
contracts-White
Pilot projects and contracts signed
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Olympic swimming pools of water saved*
earnings-White
Overall increase in business revenue
* According to positive water impact reports based on ISO standards
Analyses conducted by our partner, Oxia Initiative. For more information, contact us at info@aquaaction.org.

General Info Session Dates

Water Purification at Dawn-1

Thursday, May 1st, 2025

12:00 – 1:00 PM (EST)

Register for the Zoom event

  •  
  • Turning visitors into leads.
Water Purification at Dawn-1

Thursday, May 15th, 2025

12:00 – 1:00 PM (EST)

Register for the Zoom event

  •  
  • Turning visitors into leads.

ORGANIZED BY

Aqua action logo

WITH THE SUPPORT OF

Logo of the government of Quebec

For more information

For entrepreneurs, contact : laila@aquaaction.org
For coaches, contact : patricia@aquaaction.org

FAQ

AquaEntrepreneur is open to companies incorporated in Quebec that are developing innovative solutions in the water sector. Applicants must:  

 

  • Have a technology that is ready to be deployed in a real-world environment, and whose Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is ready to be commercialized. (TRL 7+) Click here to find out more about Technology maturity levels.
  • Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of your target audience
  • Be able to clearly explain the value proposition and how the solution addresses the needs of the target audience.
  • Demonstrate strong growth potential with an established business model validated by potential customers (“customer discovery” method)
  • Demonstrate reliable sales projections
  • Generate revenues of less than CAD 5 million annually.

We support companies in all water-related sectors.

 

If you use water in your manufacturing or distribution processes, or if your solution reduces, recycles, reuses or valorizes water, then you may be eligible.

 

Including but not limited to the following industries:

 

  • Drinking water and wastewater treatment, and management
  • onitoring technologies and intelligent sensors
  • Water consumption reduction and recycling
  • Water infrastructure management and climate resilience
  • Manufacturing industries seeking to optimize their water footprint
  • Solutions for the agricultural and agrifood sector
  • Smart city technologies and municipal water management
  • Blue energy and innovative hydroelectric solution

  • Over 30 hours of personalized coaching with industry experts.  
  • Support in securing pilot projects and commercial contracts.  
  • Opportunity to participate in international trade missions.  
  • Preparation of an ISO-compliant water and/or carbon impact report.  
  • Increased visibility through strategic events and partnerships. 

The program lasts 6 to 10 months and offers structured support:

  • Initial assessment to identify the company's specific needs.
  • Personalized coaching with experts in business, technology and financing.
  • Connections with potential customers, investors and partners.
  • Participation in strategic events and marketing opportunities.

The program is entirely free thanks to the support of MEIE and our partners, but a $250 registration fee is required if your application is selected. 

Companies must:

 

  • Complete and submit the intent form, available here.
  • If you are eligible, you will be contacted and sent an application form.
  • Your application will be evaluated by a selection committee.
  • If you are selected, you will be asked to pay the registration fee to confirm your place.

Applications are evaluated on:


  • Potential impact of the solution on the water market.
  • Technological maturity (TRL 7+ recommended).
  • Strength of business model and sales projections.
  • The founding team's commitment to the program.

Fill out the online Intent form, and a member of our team will contact you!

Our experts come from a variety of fields:


  • Business development and sales strategy coaches
  • Financing specialists
  • Regulatory and environmental compliance experts

When you complete the AquaEntrepreneur program, you become a member of the AquaNation. AquaNation is the exclusive network of AquaAction program alumni. This growing community brings together water technology leaders, innovators, and experts committed to developing solutions in North America and offers support and strategic opportunities to its members.

Visit the video section of this page to learn more about the program, its benefits, and the types of solutions supported by the program. You can also visit the Portfolio page on our website for all AquaNation solutions.