Detroit, MI, August 20, 2026 — AquaAction has received a 2026 Excellence in Economic Development Bronze Award from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). The organization will be recognized at the IEDC Annual Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, taking place on October 25 to 28.
Each year, IEDC recognizes organizations and programs that are helping communities grow and adapt. The award recognize work that supports economic development in a practical way, with results that can be seen on the ground.
For AquaAction, this award reflects the entrepreneurs building water solutions and the effort it takes to help those ideas grow. Through their programs, they give early-stage companies the tools and support needed to achieve commercial success, such as tailored coaching, technical expertise, pilot matching, industry connections, and market exposure. AquaAction’s mission is to empower leaders to solve water crises, which they do by getting good ideas into the real world where they can make a real difference.
Since its creation, AquaAction has helped launch or scale up over 120 companies, generated over $270M annual revenue and over 900 jobs in the blue economy. Programming such as the newly launched AquaEntrepreneur Michigan and the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence AquaHacking Challenge aim to build on that impact, by propelling water technology companies to new heights.
"We’re truly honored to be recognized by IEDC, but this isn’t just about us,” said Soula Chronopoulos, President of AquaAction, “it’s about the innovators building incredible solutions, and the many partners in our universe who back them. This award is a demonstration that we can build a vibrant blue economy from the ground up, but it requires the right vision and the right support with everyone at the table.”
The award comes at a critical time when population growth, pollution, drought, and competing demands are placing increasing pressure on freshwater resources across North American. At the same time, these challenges are creating a rapidly growing global market for technologies that can manage, conserve, restore, and replenish water more effectively.
At AquaAction, we develop leaders to protect and restore our most vital resource: freshwater. We empower people, from young innovators to community advocates, to protect and restore freshwater through innovation, advocacy, and conservation. By supporting entrepreneurship, advancing education and awareness, and driving policy change, we help communities build resilience and ensure access to clean water for generations to come. Our mission is simple yet profound: a generation of leaders safeguarding freshwater for the health of people and the planet.
Based in Washington, D.C., IEDC is the world’s largest association for economic developers. Originating a century ago, IEDC is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization that represents the entire economic development profession. Members include practitioners in economic development through local, state, provincial, and federal governments, non-profits, public-private partnerships, entrepreneurial support organizations, chambers of commerce, utilities, universities, and a variety of other organizations.
Contact
Oliver Anderson
Vice President, Communications and Growth
AquaAction
oliver.Anderson@aquaaction.org