Twenty line up for finals in innovation competition

Ofwat has unveiled the 20 finalists for the fifth incarnation of its innovation challenge launched three years ago. They will each receive an award of up to £50,000 and a five-month package of support to develop their plan.

Launched in January, the 2023 innovation competition, is dubbed the Water Discovery Challenge, Ofwat has presented the £4 million competition for the England and Wales water sector as being for “bold and ingenious innovation that can help solve the biggest challenges facing the water sector today and in the future.”

The winner selection stage will run from December 2023 to January 2024. All finalists’ development plans will go through a sector review by representatives from regional water companies in England and Wales.

Up to ten winners will be announced by February 2024. They will enter the Winners Stage which runs from February to August 2024, with an award of up to £450,000 and a seven-month package of support. Winners should receive their first funding in February 2024.