AquaHacking BiNational 2026

About the AquaHacking Binational Program

At a time of climate instability, geopolitical uncertainty, and economic volatility, the 2026 AquaHacking Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Program stands as a beacon of resilience and innovation.

This flagship AquaAction program is focused on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence region, a critical freshwater system shared by Canada and the United States. It brings together students from multiple disciplines to find solutions to critical water issues and work together to innovate, inspire, and collaborate with local changemakers.

Now in its 10th year and 16th edition, AquaHacking is not just a competition; it’s a 10-month ideation and acceleration program built to develop early-stage water tech solutions and equip the next generation of water innovators to take action. Participants will gain access to mentorship, tools, and resources to transform innovative ideas into impactful startups that will benefit the environment, economy, and communities on both sides of the border.

AquaHacking has helped us turn our technology into reality, as we have a lot of experience in the lab, but little in industry.

Maxinano

AquaHacking Great Lakes 2024 | Finalist

The biggest takeaway from the competition is that, quite simply, it's possible. We never thought we'd get this far, and then in the end, we're in the final, we've got a model, we've got a concept, and people are really receptive, it's incredible.

Modul'eau

AquaHacking Quebec 2023 | 1st place

Despite catastrophic environmental disasters happening around us, I say it’s not too late. I can make a difference for people who live in this lifetime and ever for people who will live after us. Who will address this issue if I don’t?

Eco-Water

AquaHacking Challenge Western Canada 2021 | 3rd place

It was interesting to speak to other teams during the expedition, and see the parallels between us, such as the difficulties we encountered as we worked on our solution.

Geomage

AquaHacking Quebec 2023 | 3rd place

The AquaHacking Challenge is a trampoline: the energy you invest is doubled in rewards — from invaluable knowledge to life-changing experiences.

Proto StLo

AquaHacking Challenge Great Lakes 2024 | 3rd place

I am thrilled to share my experience with HubSpot, a truly exceptional platform that has transformed the way I approach marketing and customer relationship management. From the moment I started using HubSpot, I knew I had discovered a game-changer.

John Doe

Job Title | Company XYZ

Get involved through AquaHacking

Water needs all of us: How will you make a difference?

SPONSORS & PARTNERS

Support the Next Generation of Water Leaders

Make a tangible impact on freshwater innovation by sponsoring a water issue or partnering with us. Influence challenge themes, involve your employees, connect with talent, and help shape the future of water solutions in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence region.

Get involved

FACULTY & ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS

Become a Recruitment Hub. Empower Your Students.

Support the next generation of water innovators by promoting the AquaHacking Binational on your campus. Empower your students with a unique hands-on learning opportunity by becoming a Recruitment Hub. Connect your institution to a cross-border network of water professionals, gain visibility, enhance the value of applied R&D and IP, and give your students an opportunity to gain valuable experience by tackling real challenges in their field.

Help us recruit

STUDENTS & YOUNG PROFFESIONALS

Innovate for Water. Shape Your Future.

Join a 10-month program designed to help you launch real-world water tech solutions. Work in teams, gain mentorship, and pitch your idea in the finale for a chance to win seed-funding. No entrepreneurship or water tech startup experience needed, just your desire to make a difference.

Join the waitlist

Registration will open in February 2026. In the meantime, you can join the waitlist to be notified once registrations open.
Participation in an AquaHacking Program is free.

There is no registration fee to take part in the Program.
There is no minimum or maximum. You can participate solo or form a team.

However, we strongly encourage multidisciplinary teams.
We encourage the formation of diverse, multidisciplinary teams.
1. You can invite your friends, classmates or peers to sign up for the AquaHacking Progran and be part of your team.
2. Once registered, you'll be able to
  
  a) view the profiles of other participants and invite them to join your team
  
  b) browse the profiles of existing teams and apply to join them
  
  c) ask for help from our support team, which can facilitate introductions.
3. A virtual team-forming session will also help you find teammates.
Projects or solutions must contribute to solving one of the water issues presented in this Challenge. They can be nature-based solutions, biotech solutions, and technological solutions (hardware and software) based on digital tools, information technologies, programming, artificial intelligence, engineering or robotics, etc. Solutions cannot be regulatory in nature nor do we accept major infrastructure projects.
The AquaHacking Program is open to anyone who wants to have a positive impact on water, whatever their field of study or expertise. We strongly encourage the participation of multidisciplinary teams. Although the AquaHacking Program ultimately leads to the creation of a startup, we respect the fact that some participants will not continue the adventure after the Program, which is why we award certification to the finalists to recognize their contribution.
The AquaHacking Program is designed to serve as a launchpad for the development of your entrepreneurial project. You have the freedom to choose the legal form of your startup, whether it's a non-profit organization, a social enterprise, or an incorporated company. Whatever form you choose, it's essential to ensure the sustainability of your solution and your startup by drawing up a solid business plan and a clear development plan.
You don't need to have an idea or a solution before you register. All the necessary resources will be made available to participants in order to proceed with the ideation and development of their solution.
- The AquaHacking Binational Program lasts 8 months.
- Participants should anticipate allocating 3 to 5 hours per week to the development of their solution and startup project.
- It is entirely possible to balance one's studies and/or full-time work with participation in the Program.
If you'd like to find out more and browse through some of the solutions that previous AquaHacking participants have worked on, please visit https://aquaaction.org/en/our-programs/aquahacking-challenge/past-aquahacking-challenges
Semi-finalist teams who are not selected to advance to Phase 2, and whose Programs end after the Semi-Finals:
- Receive a certificate of participation
- Are encouraged to continue developing their solution and startup with the support of the AquaAction team.
Finalist teams who have completed the Program and pitched at the Finale in 2026:
- Receive certification and micro-credits.
- Receive start-up seed funding (TOP 3 only).
- Join one of Canada’s or the USA's top startup incubators.
- Access personalized legal support.
- Join AquaNation and benefit from visibility, networking, financing, and business development tools and opportunities.
- Ultimately, they will be eligible to join AquaAction's AquaEntrepreneur program to run pilot projects.
If you are interested in becoming a mentor, judge or partner, please contact the AquaAction team at collaborations@aquaaction.org