EIT Pitching Competitions

The EIT InnoWise Scale pitching competitions focused on finding innovative solutions to reverse water scarcity, changing from water misuse and pollution to reduce, reuse and non-use of water.

Online event organisation

The InnoWise Scale programme supported more than 80 scale-ups and SMEs developing innovative water management solutions to optimise supply, demand and climate resilience in Europe. Over three months, top water entrepreneurs received tailored mentoring and training, and were connected with potential end-users to explore collaboration opportunities to accelerate market adoption of these green solutions.

AMWAJ, as a REVOLVE initiative, worked with the EIT communities EIT Food, EIT Climate-KIC, EIT Manufacturing and EIT Digital to design all five online pitching competitions of the InnoWise Scale programme in 2022 and two of them in 2021, each focusing on one theme and sector. AMWAJ designed the concept note and the agenda, including the named themes, the structure of the events and the potential speakers, in line with the objectives of the InnoWise Scale competition challenges.

AMWAJ designed and implemented the communication campaigns, reaching a total of more than 1000 registrations on Eventbrite and LinkedIn. The seven online pitching competitions were livestreamed, allowing the use of interactive tools to maximise the engagement of all participants. The competitions received over 2000 views on the day of the event and over 25000 views in total after a few months. The AMWAJ team facilitated the online event and provided technical support and monitoring.

In 2022, 35 companies participated in the programme and competed to present their solution to specific sectoral challenges and case studies provided by different end users. The companies won prizes of up to €12,000 based on the uniqueness and replicability of their innovations, and special prizes of €30,000 to carry out a demo study with one of the problem holders.

Facts

1000

Registrations

7

Events

17

Countries

130

Participants

49

Companies

25000

Views

What They Say

REVOLVE has been very supportive and effective during the design and delivery of the InnoWise Scale competitions by EIT Community Water Scarcity. The whole team is very responsive and has the tools to achieve the best outcomes possible

Carmen Galindo

EIT Food South

The events

2021

The 2021 InnoWise Scale activities were designed around three case studies on water management in agriculture, infrastructure, and water utilities, bringing together problem holders and solution providers. The ultimate goal of the InnoWise Scale activities was to accelerate the market uptake of green solutions in Europe. AMWAJ managed and promoted the agriculture and infrastructure case competitions.

InnoWise Scale Competition on Water Scarcity: Infrastructure's case study

The competition was led by the EIT Digital Community in Spain and six solution providers presented their innovative ideas to the jury in order to win one of the prizes. The solution providers took up the challenge set by the Italian company CIIP Spa - Cicli Integrati Impianti Primary. During the event, participants also discovered insights into trends in the water industry from Ramón López Roldán, Open Innovation Manager at SUEZ Spain.

InnoWise Scale Competition: Agriculture's case study

The EIT Food South community led a competition to solve a challenge from SanLucar. Eight solution providers pitched their innovations. Luciano Mateos from the Institute for Sustainable Agriculture (CSIC) shared insights on agri-food innovations addressing water scarcity. The event also featured a discussion on investment challenges and opportunities in the water and agri-food sectors with Gaetane Suzenet - EU Water Tech Accelerator; María Echávarri - Fondo Bolsa Social; Andrew Walker – G20 Water; and David Smith – WE&B.

2022

The 2022 InnoWise Scale Pitching Competition, themed ‘Road to 2030: Future Circular Watercycle Perspectives,’ focused on innovative solutions to combat water scarcity. The competition aimed to reverse water misuse and pollution through reduction, reuse, and non-use strategies. The AMWAJ team collaborated with EIT Food, EIT Climate-KIC, EIT Manufacturing and EIT Digital to explore how digital tools and innovations can support a circular future in the water sector.

InnoWise Scale Pitching Competition | Session 1: EIT Manufacturing

The pitching session focused on the debate around recycled water as the key to solving water scarcity, reducing water consumption and making efficient use of scarce water resources. Spanish multinational ENCE presented its challenge in this regard and the seven solution providers pitched their innovations to address it. During the panel discussion, David Smith (WE&B) and Hassan Aboelnga (Middle East Water Forum) also shed light on these issues, moderated by Abby Davey (H2O News).

InnoWise Scale Pitching Competition | Session 3: EIT Food

The pitching session focused on the debate on how to ensure water quality in food production. Spanish winery Familia Torres presented their challenge on wastewater treatment, irrigation water quality and sludge waste. The eight solution providers presented their innovations to address these issues. During the panel discussion, Joan Girona (IRTA) and Konstantina Tolli (Senior Water Management Research Specialist) discussed the challenge and solutions further, moderated by Ahmed Kotb (Al-Ahram).

InnoWise Scale Pitching Competition | Session 5: EIT Digital

The pitching session focused on debating the possibility of managing water in a virtual world. The Spanish company Cadagua, part of the Ferrovial group, presented its challenge to enable the remote management of several plants using digital tools. Six solution providers presented their innovations to meet this challenge. During the panel discussion, Marina Arnaldos (Cetaqua) and Keith Hays (Bluefield Research) deepened the debate question, moderated by Siôn Geschwindt (H2O News).

InnoWise Scale Pitching Competition | Session 2: EIT Climate-KIC

The pitching session focused on the world's readiness for a fully water-circular economy by 2050. The Greek Municipal Water Supply and Sewerage Company of Pylaia - Hortiati (DEYAPH) presented its water sustainability and conservation challenge, and the seven solution providers pitched their innovations. During the panel discussion, Gonzalo Delacámara (IE University) and Dubravka Skunca (European Commission) also provided insights into the topic, moderated by Antoine Walter (the 'Don't Waste Water' podcast).

InnoWise Scale Pitching Competition | Session 4: EIT Food

The pitching session focused on the debate on how to manage our water systems in the face of radical environmental change. The Municipality of Nisyros (Greece) presented its challenge on water sustainability, wastewater management and nature-based solutions for wastewater treatment. The seven solution providers presented their innovations and Amalia Zepou (Kollektiva) and Barbara Sarnari (SVI.MED) continued the debate on these topics during the panel discussion. The discussion was moderated by Rui Catalâo (Kitchen Dates).