InnoWise Challenge Lab: Finding innovative solutions for water scarcity
Valuable insights, stakeholders talk and live pitching competition for innovative solutions tackling water scarcity in Southern Europe.
08-09-2020
Water scarcity is expected to be one of the most challenging issues causing significant disruptions in the environmental, economic and social sustainability, across regions and sectors. In Europe, significant reductions in groundwater recharge are estimated for Spain, Portugal and Greece, with negative impacts on the environment and water availability for irrigation. Increasing droughts will lead to water scarcity and reduced hydropower potential in the Mediterranean region.
This is likely to have a knock-on effect in agriculture, energy, transport and food security.
The European Institute of Innovation and Technology, through its knowledge and innovation communities, have launched an initiative to mobilize innovators, experts and stakeholders in order to tackle water scarcity as one of the biggest threats of the decade.
The Inno_Wise Challenge labs to be held in Greece, Spain and Portugal are flagship events of the EIT’s initiative seeking to discover and reward the best startups in the field of water management. After three months of training and workshops from the agri-food and water industry’s finest experts, a total of 8 start-ups will be put to the test, for the Greek Final, pitching live to a jury of three industry experts and competing for cash prizes of 15000 in total value. In addition, experts and policy makers from the central and local governments, industry, research and academia participate in panel discussions, highlighting the challenges and opportunities in water resources management, in both agricultural and urban contexts.
Join us online for an event full of innovation, knowledge and insight. Register here.
Finalist Startups
- AIRBOTS AGRITECH Holistic Agriculture 4.0 -IoT Drones Sats Rovers AI ML & GIS - low wastage
- URBAN FOOD Carbon Free Water Saving Urban Food Production System
- DEVELIOT Improving the quality of life by harnessing IoT technology to advance the access to clean air and water
- WEAS Monitors water pollution levels, make an adequate water quality management and take care of watery ecosystems´ sustainability
- MATRIX INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES ICT reliable & quality services for the Agriculture
- SOLMEYEA High value food & feed protein production through CO2 utilisation
- COMPOUND ANALYTICS provides unique water location intelligence through real-time visualization of the water
- SCUBIC - SMART SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS Optimization system for the smart management of the Water-Energy nexus
Joining experts
- Athanasios KYRIAZIS, General Secretary for Research and Technology, Greece
- Michalis STANGOS, Co-founder Industry Disruptors – Game Changers, Greece
- Dimitris PAPASTERGIOU, President of Central Union of Municipalities of Greece & Mayor of Trikala
- Harry SACHINIS, Chief Executive Officer, EYDAP
- Stella TSANI, Assistant Professor Department of Economics, University of Ioannina
- Phoebe KOUDOURI, Professor School of Economics, Director ReSEES Research Laboratory, Athens University of Economics President President-Elect of the European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists Director, EIT Climate KIC Hub Greece, ATHENA Research Centre
- Konstantinos AGORASTOS, Regional Governor of Thessaly Region of Thessaly
- Maghi SIMEONIDOU, Founder, Agroapps
Juries
1. Giannis GEORGAKELLOS, Director of Corporate Affairs, Athenian Brewery
2. Agis PAPADOPOULOS, President of Thessaloniki’s Water Supply and Sewerage Company (EYATH S.A.)
3. (tbc) This is an online – livestreaming event.
The link will be shared with registered participants nearer the time of the event.
