The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative, Dalio Philanthropies, Imagine H2O and the XPRIZE Foundation have formed a collaboration to help water technologies progress from competitions to commercial deployment. The programme will connect selected innovators with technical, commercial and industry support after they participate in water innovation challenges.
The collaboration was announced in New York during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly and New York Climate Week. It is expected to be supported in part by a multi-year grant from Dalio Philanthropies, although the value of the grant has not been disclosed.
Support beyond water innovation competitions
Innovation competitions can provide funding, technical validation and visibility for emerging technologies. However, teams frequently require further support to design pilots, secure customers, demonstrate reliability and establish a commercially viable business.
The new collaboration is intended to extend support beyond the competition stage. Its partners aim to create a clearer route from technical development and prize participation to field testing, adoption and wider deployment.
Imagine H2O will lead the accelerator and commercialisation activities. Its work will include market development, technical assistance for pilot design and testing, engagement with potential customers and support to improve commercial readiness.
The organisation will also connect innovators with companies, utilities and other water-sector stakeholders. These relationships are intended to help teams understand operational requirements and obtain evidence from real-world deployments.
XPRIZE and Al Miyah teams form initial pipeline
The first innovators considered for support will come from the XPRIZE Water Scarcity competition and the Al Miyah Challenge for Agriculture. Selection details, participant numbers and the schedule for the commercialisation programme have not yet been announced.
XPRIZE Water Scarcity is a five-year competition with a prize purse of $119 million. It is focused on developing more reliable, affordable and sustainable seawater desalination systems, materials and separation methods.
The competition reached its semifinal stage in 2026, with 37 teams advancing across two technical tracks. One track covers integrated desalination systems, while the other focuses on novel materials and saltwater separation methods.
The Al Miyah Challenge for Agriculture has a total prize purse of AED 8 million. It seeks technologies capable of reducing agricultural water consumption while maintaining or improving crop yields, with finalists testing their solutions in the United Arab Emirates.
Addressing barriers to commercial adoption
Ayesha Al Ateeqi, chief executive of The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative, said identifying a promising solution represents only one stage of the innovation process. She said innovators also require commercial capabilities, partnerships, customers and deployment pathways to produce lasting results.
“This collaboration extends the innovation journey beyond the competition itself and creates stronger pathways for high-potential water innovations to advance toward commercialisation, adoption and scale,” Al Ateeqi said. The initiative will also explore knowledge-sharing activities, case studies and other programmes supporting the movement of technology from laboratories into practical use.
Scott Bryan, president of Imagine H2O, said adoption depends on earning the confidence of the operators and customers responsible for managing the consequences of technology failures. He said the partnership would connect promising solutions with the organisations able to test, adopt and scale them.
Imagine H2O has previously supported water startups through accelerator programmes and pilot funding. H2O Global News recently reported on its 2026 accelerator cohort of 18 water technology companies.
Connecting funding with deployment
The collaboration follows a closed roundtable titled “Beyond the Prize: When Can Competitions and Awards Catalyze Change?” convened during UNGA81. Participants from philanthropy, industry, investment, accelerators and innovation competitions examined the support required after a competition concludes.
The announcement also comes as governments and water organisations place greater emphasis on financing the deployment of proven technology. H2O Global News has reported that water investment and commercial deployment will be central themes at the 2026 UN Water Conference.
Frequently asked questions
What is the new water innovation collaboration?
It is a partnership between The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative, Dalio Philanthropies, Imagine H2O and XPRIZE Foundation. It will support selected water innovators as they move from competitions towards pilot projects, commercial adoption and wider deployment.
What role will Imagine H2O have?
Imagine H2O will lead the accelerator and commercialisation support. This will include market development, pilot design, testing, industry engagement and commercial-readiness assistance.
Which innovators will initially be considered?
The initial pipeline will include selected participants from XPRIZE Water Scarcity and the Al Miyah Challenge for Agriculture. The partners have not yet announced the number of innovators that will receive support.
How will the collaboration be funded?
The activities are expected to be supported in part through a multi-year grant from Dalio Philanthropies. The value and detailed terms of the grant have not been disclosed.
What is XPRIZE Water Scarcity?
XPRIZE Water Scarcity is a five-year, $119 million competition focused on reliable, affordable and sustainable seawater desalination. It includes tracks for integrated desalination systems and novel saltwater-separation materials and methods.
