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Why?
Freshwater scarcity is accelerating due to climate change, pollution, and weak infrastructure. Over 2 billion people lack access to safe drinking water, and demand is rising fast.
While AI has the potential to play a powerful role in supporting more innovative and resilient water systems, many impact‑driven ventures would benefit from the knowledge and networks needed to scale solutions where they matter most.
What?
The EY SDG Accelerator: Freshwater x AI is a free, six-month program supporting AI-driven ventures tackling freshwater access, quality, sanitation, climate resilience, infrastructure, and governance.
Through a competitive application and interview process, five startups are selected to join a structured accelerator designed to help solutions mature and scale.
The program focuses on strengthening innovation that improves freshwater resilience, restores degraded ecosystems, and expands equitable access to clean water across water-stressed regions worldwide.
Benefits?
Selected ventures will receive the following support:
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Each venture will have the opportunity to receive 1-on-1 EY coaching, capacity-building workshops, investor readiness, financial modeling and facilitated brainstorming sessions to help ventures address bottlenecks and scale their ideas.
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Access to a global network of investors through introductions and workshops with impact funds, other corporates, research institutions, and water-security industry professionals.
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Opportunity to showcase solutions and connect with stakeholders at a global conference.
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Regular peer-to-peer calls to build a global community.
Applications open
19 February 2026
Applications close
16 March 2026
Successful applicants notified
20 March 2026
Short interview process for shortlisted applicants
Final selection of 5 ventures by 27 March 2026
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Focus Areas
Water Access & Equity
Water Quality Monitoring and Management
Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)
Water Governance, Rights, and Community-led systems
Freshwater Infrastructure and Innovation
Climate-Resilient Water Systems
Who is it for?
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Tech for Freshwater Impact: Ventures must use AI, machine learning, or advanced data tools to address challenges across freshwater systems, including water access, quality, sanitation, climate resilience, infrastructure, or governance.
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Mission-Driven Enterprise: The program is designed for mission-driven ventures (for-profit, nonprofit, hybrid, or cooperative) delivering measurable social and environmental impact related to freshwater systems.
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Geographic Focus: Ventures should operate in water-stressed regions, including Africa, Latin America, South Asia, Southeast Asia, or other regions facing significant freshwater risk.
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Legal & Operational Status: The business must be legally incorporated and have been in active operation for at least one year.
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Growth Potential: The applicant must be looking to grow both the business’s income and impact.
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Language Requirement: Proficiency in English (as this is a global program).
About EY
EY is building a better working world by creating new value for clients, people, society and the planet, while building trust in capital markets.
Enabled by data, AI and advanced technology, EY teams help clients shape the future with confidence and develop answers for the most pressing issues of today and tomorrow.
EY teams work across a full spectrum of services in assurance, consulting, tax, strategy and transactions. Fueled by sector insights, a globally connected, multidisciplinary network and diverse ecosystem partners, EY teams can provide services in more than 150 countries and territories.
All in to shape the future with confidence.
EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available via ey.com/privacy. EY member firms do not practice law where prohibited by local laws. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.
This news release has been issued by EYGM Limited, a member of the global EY organization that also does not provide any services to clients.
For general inquiries on the program, please contact harry@bright-tide.co.uk