Innovate 4 Water: WIPO GREEN Matchmaking in Action

August 11, 2017

WIPO organized the first-ever Innovate 4 Water matchmaking forum in collaboration with Waterpreneurs and WaterVent June 8-9, 2017, at WIPO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

Innovate 4 Water Forum June 8, 2017
(Photo: WIPO)

The event brought together over 400 participants including entrepreneurs, investors, companies, public sector organizations, UN agencies, incubators, and others to discuss and pitch solutions for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation.

Innovate 4 Water Forum June 8, 2017
Ms. Martine Vullierme, Deputy Director, Veolia (Photo: WIPO)
Attendees in discussion, Innovate 4 Water Forum June 8, 2017
Attendees in discussion (Photo: WIPO)

As a matchmaking forum centered on stakeholder pitches and challenges, the event helped foster collaboration and innovation in the water sector through increased understanding, visibility, and networking amongst entrepreneurs and potential investors.

  • Event program Entrepreneur profiles

Pitches

Participant June 7, 2017
(Photo: WIPO)

June 8 kicked off with 40 presentations by entrepreneurs, who pitched their green business ideas to experts and investors.

  • June 8 – entrepreneur profilesEntrepreneur profiles

On June 9, some 60 organizations with water-related projects and programs pitched the challenges and needs for which they seek an innovative solution.

  • June 9 – organizations and their pitches Entrepreneur profiles

Participants on June 9 benefitted from a multi-sectoral dialogue including a panel discussion around the following thematic areas:

  1. Water and sanitation in the circular economy
  2. Water/food/energy/health nexus
  3. Smart water technologies
  4. Sustainable entrepreneur ecosystems
  5. Hybrid business models
  6. Innovative blended finance

To connect with any of the entrepreneurs or other participants from the event, please get in touch.

Morning Session Video
Afternoon Session Video
“Very effective if the aim was to connect people […] This is the first conference I have been to where I have spoken to every target person on my list!” Jessie Coates, Enterprise Growth Services, EY
Jessie Coates, Enterprise Growth Services, EY
(Photo: Jessie Coates)

Keynote speakers

Sally Gutierrez, Director, Environmental Technology Innovation Cluster Development and Support Program
Sally Gutierrez, Director, Environmental Technology Innovation Cluster Development and Support Program, Office of Research and Development, United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (Photo: WIPO)
John Tidmarsh, Chief Investment Officer, R20 – Regions of Climate Action
John Tidmarsh, Chief Investment Officer, R20 – Regions of Climate Action (Photo: WIPO)
Nicolas C. Niggli, Director General, Directorate General for Economic Development, Research and Innovation, Republic and State of Geneva, Switzerland
Nicolas C. Niggli, Director General, Directorate General for Economic Development, Research and Innovation, Republic and State of Geneva, Switzerland (Photo: WIPO)
Monique Barbut, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) (Photo: WIPO)
 
 

Launch of “Open Challenges”

To promote safe water, WIPO GREEN and Partner InvenTrust also jointly launched two Open Challenges related to energy efficient water desalination and leakage elimination in water distribution. Sponsors and participants for these online contests are currently being sought and interested organizations are invited to submit innovative solutions.

  • Find out more: Sponsors Entrepreneur profiles
  • Find out more: Participants Entrepreneur profiles

Useful information

  • Event program Entrepreneur profiles
  • Profiles of pitching entrepreneurs Entrepreneur profiles
  • Speakers and their pitches Entrepreneur profiles