How much funding does Urban Water Challenge provide?

Urban Water Challenge provides Up to $275,000 in funding.

When is the deadline for Urban Water Challenge?

The funder has not published a deadline for this grant.

How often is Urban Water Challenge offered?

Urban Water Challenge runs on an annual cycle.

Urban Water Challenge

Imagine H2O Inc

Foundation Annual Grants for Startups Water Grants

Funding Amount

Up to $275,000

Deadline

Deadline not published

Grant Type

Foundation

Deadline history & next window

Cycle: Annual
Tracked since: April 2026

Source: the cycle recorded on this listing. Confirm dates with the funder.

Can we apply?

Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.

Other requirements

Open to startups at various stages
Water technology innovators
Imagine H2O Accelerator alumni eligible
Focus on urban water applications

Overview

An innovation competition and funding program supporting entrepreneurs addressing critical water challenges in urban environments globally. Provides pilot funding and deployment support to innovative water solutions.

Geographic Scope: Global focus on urban water challenges in cities worldwide

Focus Areas:

Urban water solutions
City-level water resilience
Climate resilience in urban water systems
Solutions addressing water shortage and access
Water sustainability and innovation
Sanitation and sewage solutions
Ocean-friendly water solutions

Award Amount: Up to $275,000 in deployment support funding per challenge cycle

Program Track Record:

Multiple annual iterations (3rd annual mentioned in 2020)
2019 iteration: 6 companies supported with $250,000 in deployment support
2020 iteration: 3 startups announced as challenge winners
Includes winners and finalists in each cycle
Example: Ocean Sewage Alliance and Sanivation featured as participants

Relationship to Main Accelerator:

Separate from main Accelerator program
Imagine H2O Accelerator alumni eligible to apply
Provides additional pilot funding opportunities
Complementary innovation competition

What Gets Funded:

Pilot project deployment
Solution testing in real-world urban environments
Project implementation support
Demonstration projects

Focus on Real-World Impact:

Emphasis on cities facing immediate water crises
Example context: Chennai's water shortage and Day Zero scenarios
Solutions must address urgent urban water challenges

How to Apply

Application Process

Submit Application
- Apply through Imagine H2O website
- Typically opens annually
Evaluation Criteria
- Impact on urban water challenges
- Solution viability and innovation
- Feasibility of pilot/deployment
- Team capability
- Scalability potential
Selection Process
- Finalists announced
- Winners selected from finalists
- Multiple winners supported per year