Rouyn-Noranda, QC, June 13, 2025 – The AquaHacking Québec Challenge 2025, organized by AquaAction in partnership with the ROBVQ, Réseau Environnement, and Collectif Territoire, concluded today with a high-energy final held at the Petit Théâtre du Vieux Noranda in Rouyn-Noranda, QC, Canada.
In front of an engaged audience, the ten finalist teams pitched their innovative technological solutions addressing critical freshwater issues in a dragon’s den-style competition. After several months of guidance and rigorous work, these young innovators demonstrated creativity, discipline, and a deep commitment to protecting this vital resource.
Over $35,000 in seed funding was awarded to the teams whose solutions stood out for their innovation and potential for positive impact.
Empowering the Next Generation of Water Leaders
The AquaHacking Challenge, AquaAction’s flagship program, empowers emerging talent to develop key skills in leadership, entrepreneurship, and sustainable innovation, while contributing to the protection of freshwater, a resource essential to our health, environment, economy, and life itself. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and combining the expertise of seasoned professionals with the bold ideas of the next generation, the Challenge acts as a launchpad for environmentally impactful start-up companies.
The Winners
First Place: $20,000
Sulys: A service that detects invasive aquatic species through DNA analysis of the water and a decision support platform using artificial intelligence.
From left to right: AquaHacking Challenge Director Anne-Pascale Richardson, Sulys co-founders Marie-Pier Brochu and Louis-Philippe Noel, and Rouyn-Noranda city councillor Réal Beauchamp.
Second Place, presented by Agnico Eagle: $10,000
Lacus Cras: Their solution FloteX is a floating island made from Quebec materials, equipped with vegetation that naturally filters the water to slow the eutrophication of lakes.
From left to right: AquaHacking Challenge Director Anne-Pascale Richardson, Lacus Cras co-founders, Nihed Tellili, Yachar Ben Arous, Christophe Langevin, Manon Sayag, Emma Mamifarananahary, and Advisor, Water Resources and Processing, Agnico Eagle Mines Limited, Thomas Genty
Third Place: $5,000
AquaPure Analytics: Their solution AquaPure Analytics is a platform connected to IoT sensors that monitors water quality in real time and predicts pollution levels using artificial intelligence.
From left to right: Chief Executive Officer of Collectif Territoire, Geneviève Aubry, AquaPure Analytics founder Mwinmogme Hien, AquaHacking Challenge Director Anne-Pascale Richardson.
Due to the exceptional quality of the finalist teams and the difficulty of the jury’s deliberation, an unexpected fourth-place prize of $4,000 was awarded
Fourth Place: $ 4,000
CADeau: Their solution ÉduAction is an educational application for students, combining an interactive map and a game with a virtual terrarium to raise awareness of lake protection.
From left to right: CADeau co-founders Laura Wang, Wendi Liu, Alina Meng, and AquaHacking Challenge Director Anne-Pascale Richardson.
People’s Choice Award: $1,000
AQUORA: Their solution BioFintel is an intelligent biofilter that uses natural processes and sensors to optimize the purification of runoff water by removing pollutants.
From left to right: AQUORA co-founders Jean Marc-Arthur Salomon, Louis Raymond Emmanuel Asie, Lincoln Dugue, Cyrille Gatien Kafack Zamo, and AquaHacking Challenge Director Anne-Pascale Richardson.
Protecting Watersheds: An Inspiring Provincial Mobilization
This year’s edition of the Challenge drew attention to the complex environmental issues involved in restoring watersheds affected by industrial activity, with a particular focus on Osisko Lake.
Located in the heart of Rouyn-Noranda, Osisko Lake is both a natural heritage site and a symbol of community identity. Impacted by eutrophication, sediment contamination, shoreline erosion, and the spread of invasive species, this iconic body of water is now at the center of a major revitalization effort involving the City, residents, researchers, environmental organizations, and industry stakeholders.
A Strong Spirit of Collaboration
The panel of expert judges—Sébastien Cottinet, Director of Policy (ROBVQ); Mariève Migneault, Executive Director (Local Development Centre of Rouyn-Noranda); Thomas Genty, Water Resources and Treatment Advisor (Agnico Eagle); Marouan Rejeb, Executive Director (CTRI); and Anne-Marie Nadeau, Director of Communications (City of Rouyn-Noranda)—offered their insights and expertise in selecting the winning teams. Their involvement highlighted the importance of multidisciplinary approaches in addressing complex environmental problems.
AquaAction applauds the dedication and collaboration of all the finalist teams, water issue leaders, judges, and partners who made this 14th Challenge edition and Final a resounding success.
This event serves as a reminder that by working together, we can address the most formidable challenges and build a more sustainable future for generations to come.
Quotes
"Water is at the heart of our health, our environment, and our economy. The need to empower the next generation of innovators to build a water secure future has never been more urgent. I want to congratulate all the participants and thank the sponsors who made this year’s AquaHacking Challenge possible. Together, we are giving young Quebec innovators the tools they need to turn their ideas into commercial-ready solutions to our most pressing water issues."
— Soula Chronopoulos, President, AquaAction
"Each of the finalist teams has demonstrated today that it is possible to combine technology, sustainability, and civic engagement. You have planted the seeds of ideas which, I'm convinced, will bear fruit far beyond this Challenge and our municipality. You are all winners because you have dared to dream, innovate, and above all, contribute to a future where water is respected, protected, and valued."
-Diane Dallaire, Mayor, City of Rouyn-Noranda
"From bold ideas to practical impact, every team in the AquaHacking Quebec final showed what innovation for water can look like. Congratulations to Sulys on their well-deserved win, and to all the finalists for pushing boundaries and reimagining what’s possible. At Ovivo, we’re honoured to support this challenge and contribute our expertise to treat the most challenging water and wastewater as tomorrow’s water leaders take shape."
-Marie-Pierre Lavallée, Vice-President, Human Resources and Communications, Ovivo Inc.
Quick Facts
Contact
Sophie-Catherine Huneault
Marketing Campaign Coordinator
sophie@aquaaction.org