We have compiled a list of resources to support entrants to the sixth round of the Water Breakthrough Challenge (‘Breakthrough 6’) to prepare high quality entries. As well as reviewing the below materials, we encourage you to carefully read the key materials for the stream(s) you are entering:
We encourage entrants to carefully read the key materials for the stream(s) you are entering:
Further resources:
We held a webinar for entrants to Breakthrough 6 on Tuesday 9 September 2025 at 11.30 am, to provide entrants with an opportunity to learn more about the competition, and ask the delivery team questions.
You can also find the transcript here (PDF, 88 KB), the slides here (PDF, 3 MB), and the audience questions that were not answered live, with their answers here (1.2MB).
We will be running one-to-one surgery sessions for those who need support completing their entry, for example, if you require any clarification on the entry process or the terms and conditions. The surgery sessions will be run by the Breakthrough 6 delivery partners. Please ensure that you detail precisely what you want to ask the delivery team when booking a surgery session, so we can prepare appropriately for the session. You can book a slot via Calendly below:
In Breakthrough 6, entrants to both streams of the competition must record a pitch as part of their entry. Pitches for the Catalyst stream should be 3 minutes; and pitches for the Transform stream should be 5 minutes.
The purpose of the pitch recording is to provide a video explainer to help assessors and judges quickly understand your entry. Within this pitch, you should outline:
Assuming there is time left in the 15-minute recording slot, we will ask you if you are happy or if you wish to have a second attempt at the recording. If, after the second attempt, you are still not happy, we will offer you an alternative 15-minute slot to try again.
We continue to exclude speaker videos in pitch recordings for Breakthrough 6. We ask that you present slides or other visuals while talking.
We will also be inviting entrants to the Stage 1 Transform stream to attend a live Q&A session with assessors. Entrants are not being asked to record a pitch recording for Stage 1 of our Transform Stream this year. As in previous rounds, entrants will not be required to pitch live in front of the judges. However, they will be invited to a live Q&A session to respond to judges’ questions as part of the entry process.
You can book your pitch recording session for the Catalyst stream or the Transform stream (Transform link will be made available when Stage 2 opens).
Tech advice on setting up for your pitch recording can be found in the FAQs.
In previous rounds of the Water Breakthrough Challenge, Science Practice delivered workshops and support to help water companies develop their entries. Although this support is not being offered in Breakthrough 6, recordings from the workshops delivered for Breakthrough 3 are provided below.
Please be aware that this is advice from previous rounds and is provided as a guide only – entrants should refer to the most up to date materials when preparing their entry.
Workshop 1: Developing a strong entry
This workshop covers:
Please refer to the Recording and Transcript for further information
Workshop 2: Refining your entry for Transform Stage 2
This workshop covers:
Please refer to the Recording and Transcript for further information
Ofwat publishes ‘decision documents’ after each round which outline their decision making, including high-level guidance on what would have strengthened unsuccessful entries. You can find this information for each round on Ofwat’s website:
The dissemination of data, knowledge and insight into what has (and has not) worked is central to the Ofwat Innovation Fund. To support this, the Fund is preparing ‘learning reports’ to shine a light on the experiences, insights and learnings from funded projects working in particular areas.
The intent of these reports is to enable all water sector stakeholders – including water companies, their supply chain partners, academia, policymakers, non-governmental organisations and third sector organisations – to adopt, build on and learn from the innovations we have funded to date.
