The Water Breakthrough Challenge has been created to reward businesses developing innovative solutions to the water sector's biggest environmental challenges, benefiting society and the environment.

The current competition is called ‘Breakthrough 2’, comprising two streams of funding. Through the Catalyst Stream, approximately £5 million is available for entries seeking funding of between £100,000 and £1 million. Through the Transform Stream, approximately £30 million is available for entries seeking funding of between £1 million and £10 million per entry.

The Catalyst Stream aims to encourage new ways of working that go beyond business-as-usual innovation practices in the water sector, in particular, increasing and improving collaboration and building partnerships from within and outside the water sector.

The Transform Stream aims to spark ambitious innovation and enable new approaches and ways of working, equipping the water sector to address the big challenges facing the sector, driving far-reaching and long-lasting benefits across England and Wales, now and into the future.

Entries must be submitted by water companies from England and Wales, together with partner organisations, as well as with other stakeholders in the water sector and beyond.

How To Apply

Entries to round 2 opened on 11 October 2021.

The deadline for the Catalyst Stream is 8 December 2021 (12:00 GMT). The Transform Stream will close for Stage 1 entries on 16 November 2021 (12:00 GMT). Stage 2 entries will open on 15 December 2021 and close on 8 February 2022 (12:00 GMT).

Scheme details can be accessed here

Those who are new to the water sector may wish to email [email protected] to get in contact with a water company about an innovative idea or solution.

Those who have any questions about this scheme should email Nesta Challenges at [email protected]