Water Discovery Challenge

The Water Discovery Challenge opened for entries on 25 January 2023 at 12 noon (GMT) and closed on 5 April 2023 at 12 noon (BST).

A range of webinars was available to support entrants to learn about the water sector and enter.

Entrants are required to meet the eligibility criteria as set out in the terms and conditions, and all eligible entries will be reviewed by assessors against each of the four assessment criteria. Following the assessment, a shortlist of entries will be reviewed by sector reviewers, made up of representatives from regional water companies in England and Wales. Ofwat will make the final decision on which entries will be selected as Finalist.

Finalists should expect to receive payment of funds in July 2023.

Up to 20 Finalists will be announced in July 2023. These entries will enter the Finalist Stage which runs from June to November 2023, with an award of up to £50,000 and a 5-month package of support, including support to produce a Development Plan for submission to the following stage.

Mentors will work directly with Finalist, providing bespoke support and guidance, insights into the water sector, as well as feedback on Finalist’s innovation and its demand within the wider sector while also signposting to other stakeholders or useful resources.

Finalists will be required to submit a Development Plan in November 2023. Further details, including the exact submission date, will be provided to Finalists.

All Finalists will once again go through an Eligibility Screen, ensuring that Finalists still meet the eligibility criteria.

Development plans will go through Assessment and Sector Review concurrently. Development plans will be reviewed by sector reviewers, made up of representatives from regional water companies in England and Wales and assessors will review Development Plans against the assessment criteria.

Winners should expect to receive their first payment of funds in February 2024.

Up to 10 Winners will be announced by February 2024. These 10 entries will enter the Winners Stage which runs from February to August 2024, with an award of up to £450,000 and a 7-month package of support.

Mentors will work directly with Winning teams, providing bespoke support and guidance, insights into the water sector, as well as feedback on Finalist’s innovation and its demand within the wider sector while also signposting to other stakeholders or useful resources.

Winners will need to meet reasonable monitoring and impact reporting requirements from the Challenge. These will be simple and proportionate to the level of funding awarded.