UpLink accepts innovative solutions for the Aquapreneur Innovation Initiative to conserve and restore freshwater ecosystems. This five-year project initiative emphasizes addressing water pollution and ensuring water quality. It recognizes the critical environmental significance of water and its role in sustaining life and biodiversity. Given the severe threats posed by industrial runoff, agricultural practices, plastic waste, and emerging contaminants like pharmaceuticals and PFAS, the initiative focuses on preventing pollution and mitigating its environmental impacts.

Key Details and Dates

• Application Deadline: 31 August 2024
• Challenge launch: 21 May 2024
• Review and selection process: 31 August – September 2024
• Result Announcement Dates: January 2025 (World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos)
• Funding Type: Co-financing, financial awards
• Organizer: UpLink, World Economic Forum, HCL
• Eligible Countries: All
• Eligible Gender: Male/Female
• Target Group: Innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers
• Number of Opportunities: Up to 10 winners
• Duration: Five years
• Program Language: English
• Host Country: Global
• Focus Area:
  • Prevent contamination at the source
  • New approaches to water management
  • Optimize public water and wastewater treatment
  • Household water quality solutions

Benefits and Financial Aids

The winners will benefit from this initiative as follows:

• Financial Award: Up to CHF 175,000 for each of the 10 Top Innovators, from a total fund of CHF 1.75 million
• Access: Participation in selected World Economic Forum projects, partner-led events, and communities
• Visibility: Universal exposure via UpLink’s digital media channels and Forum
• Connections: Planned introductions to selected organizations in the UpLink’s and Forum’s network
• Targeted Support: Technical, business, and operational programming and support

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

Business Viability:

• The solution must demonstrate a sustainable business model with a clear revenue approach
• Has a risk management plan
• Demonstrated product-market fit
• Legal entity and a capable leadership team

Intention to Deliver Impact:

• Long-term, cross-sectoral benefits
• Demonstrates clear impact monitoring, evaluation, and verification framework

Solution Novelty and Replicability:

• Unique product or service offering
• Proof of concept and potential for implementation across various geographies and cultural contexts

Required Documents

Please prepare these documents and upload them for your application:

• Detailed business model
• Risk management plan
• Evidence of product-market fit
• Legal entity documentation
• Leadership team profiles
• Impact monitoring and evaluation framework
• Proof of concept documentation

How to Apply?

• Complete and submit the application form on the UpLink platform between 21 May 2024 and 31 August 2024.
• Await Review and Selection from 31 August to September 2024.
• If selected, participate in the pitch competition.
• Winners will be announced in January 2025 during the Davos World Economic Forum Annual Meeting.

Apply Now

Further details and information are available on the official Uplink website.

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The Harold W. McGraw Fellowship for Business Journalism for Fall 2024 (Grant: up to $15,000)

International Graduate Fellowships 2024 at the American University of Cairo