Our Programs

AquaHacking Challenges

A program to engage and support nextGen innovators as they solve freshwater issues in Canada, from protecting source water to managing climate change impacts on ecosystems.

The AquaHacking Challenge Is:

An opportunity to solve environmental issues with water & Help mitigate climate change
The first step of an entrepreneurial journey
A unique pathway for personal and professional growth
A meeting place for change-makers

OUR IMPACT since 2015

28 START-UPS
ESTABLISHED

Still active emerged from the  AquaHacking Challenges

10 AquaHacking Challenges
delivered

Took place in total, 2 AquaHacking Challenges will launch in 2022

$1M in seed funding
secured

& distributed to the finalists to help them propel their water tech start-ups!

The Challenges

Young entrepreneurs are developing innovative solutions to Canada’s most critical freshwater issues.

After 10 Challenges in watersheds across Canada, and with all that we learned as we pivoted to virtual in the last two years, we are working on exciting programming for 2023.

Stay tuned for more about AquaHacking Québec and AquaHacking Atlantic.

A group of people attending an AquaAction seminar

How the Challenge works

The AquaHacking team supports Challenge participants through skills building workshops, mentors, experts and webinars. Jump on board and make a difference for water!

Register & create your water-hacker profile

Build your multi-disciplinary team

Choose a water issue to tackle

Develop your solution and pitch it to the judges

Two people holding signs up, one has a water droplet and the other says "AquaHacking"
AquaAction RDMI Second Place Winners

What does it take to join?

To participate in an AquaHacking Challenge, you should be 18-35 years old, a resident of Canada and enrolled in a post-secondary institution or be a recent graduate.

You are interested in:
Water Science, Engineering, Programming, Sustainable Development, Data Analysis, Marketing, entrepreneurship, and having a positive impact on the world!

You are:
Creative, Passionate, Curious, Determined, Persistent, and you care about the future of the planet!

What’s in it for me?

A plant with a lightbulb as a flower in a blue pot

Life Skills

Get real world problem solving skills and a meaningful resume boost: “AquaHacking Challenge competitor”

Aqua Hacking Icons_Community of Peers

Community of Peers

Be part of the AquaHacking Alumni community of innovators and expand your professional network

Ladder going into water with a hand raised

Unique Opportunities

Access curated business training and leadership and community building workshops; expert mentors and coaches

Faucet dripping into bucket with dollar sign on it

Financial Support

Access seed funding, legal support, and a spot in a local Startup incubator

The challenge at a glance

We are working on developing the next AquaHacking Challenge. As soon as it is ready to announce we will let you know.

Month 0

Month 0

KICKOFF

Online event to formally launch the Challenge

Month 1-5

Month 1-5

PHASE 1

Teams are established, meet water issues leaders, develop their solutions and access on-demand workshops, and mentoring

Month 5

Month 5

SEMI-FINAL

Teams pitch their solution to a panel of judges, and 5 finalist teams are selected

Month 6-9

Month 6-9

PHASE 2

Finalist teams participate in leadership development workshop, access $2,000, entrepreneurship training, and pitch training

Month 9

Month 9

CHALLENGE FINALE

Challenge FInale - Teams pitch to a panel of judges and vie for prize money

Month 10+

Month 10+

INCUBATION

Teams receive a spot in an incubator and teams join the AquaHacking Alumni Community

“The AquaHacking Challenge convinced me that what I want to work on is water.”

ILOS

Finalist of the 2021 Mille Îles River AquaHacking Challenge

Headshot of a person providing the testimonial

“Despite catastrophic environmental disasters happening around us, I say it’s not too late. I can make a difference for people. Who will address this issue if I don’t?”

ECO-WATER

Finalists in the AquaHacking Western Canada Challenge 2021

Headshot of a person providing the testimonial

JOIN THE RIPPLE EFFECT

Interested in bringing AquaHacking to a watershed near you and improving freshwater health? Let’s Connect, or follow us on social to be the first to know about our next Challenge.