Water Innovation hub

Commercialization and deployment of advanced water technologies to address critical water challenges.

READ OUR LATEST INSIGHTS ON WATER TECH

about the

Water Innovation Hub

The Water Innovation Hub is a collaborative initiative led by ClimateHaven to accelerate the development and deployment of breakthrough water technologies. Launched alongside the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority (RWA) at the Yale Innovation Summit in May 2025, the Hub provides startups with real-world testing grounds, funded pilot opportunities, and direct engagement with partner operations.

Building on this foundation, the Hub has expanded through strategic partnerships with Xylem, a global leader in water technology. Together, RWA, Xylem, and ClimateHaven connect early-stage entrepreneurs with the full spectrum of stakeholders needed to validate and scale transformative solutions—from municipal pilots to corporate commercialization.

By combining utility expertise, corporate leadership, and startup innovation, the Water Innovation Hub serves as a bridge between new technologies and the market. Its mission is to help entrepreneurs prove impact in real-world settings, foster cross-sector collaboration, and bring forward solutions that strengthen water systems locally and globally.

Building the Future of Water Innovation

Since our launch in May 2025, the Water Innovation Hub has built strong momentum—launching its inaugural Innovation Challenge with the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority to fund real-world pilots and accelerate breakthrough water technologies. After a rigorous global review, PipeIn, Nucleic Sensing Systems (NS2), and Sunfish Inc. were selected as finalists, each driving innovation in leak detection, water quality monitoring, and autonomous inspection.

The Hub also convened leaders from Amazon Water Innovation, Xylem, Burnt Island Ventures, and Closed Loop Partners at New York Climate Week’s WaterTech Futures, where corporates and investors shared insights on the water–energy nexus, infrastructure resilience, and capital strategies for scaling new technologies. Together, these milestones mark a defining first year of collaboration, real-world testing, and global engagement driving the future of water innovation.

READ REFLECTIONS AND INVESTOR INSIGHTS FROM NEW YORK CLIMATE WEEK

Innovation in action

Hub Programs & Pathways

Validating in the Real-World

We de-risk emerging technologies through pilots with strategic corporate and utility partners targeting pressing operational and business challenges. Partners provide infrastructure, operational resources, and technical expertise to validate solutions that can scale beyond the pilot phase.

Accelerating Breakthrough Technologies

We connect world-class research from leading academic institutions to real-world applications. Through our incubator, we equip startups with mentorship, technical resources, and investor connections needed to refine their technologies and grow within the complex water sector.

Driving Sectoral Transformation

Through knowledge-sharing and collaboration, the Hub drives transformation across the water ecosystem. Our Water Tech Landscape Report and pilot insights provide guidance for sectoral investments and faster innovation adoption.

Advisory Council

The Hub thrives on cross-sector collaboration, guided by a world-class network of experts advancing innovation across the water industry. The Hub thrives on cross-sector collaboration, guided by a world-class network of experts advancing innovation across the water industry. Commercialization and deployment of advanced water technologies to address critical water challenges.

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Konstantine Drakonakis

Connecticut innovations

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Satish Rao

Tech, Venture and Industrial Advisor

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Peter Yolles

Echo River Capital

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Max Storto

Xylem

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Jennifer Garson

Waypoint Strategy Group

Innovation Challenges

Each year, the Water Innovation Hub partners with utilities, corporates, and researchers to co-develop challenge themes that address real operational and market needs through funded pilot opportunities. Our inaugural Innovation Challenge, created with the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority (RWA), focused on advancing solutions to their most pressing water infrastructure challenges:
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• Lead Pipe Detection – Non-invasive tools to identify service lines and support EPA replacement mandates.
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• Inspection Drones – In-pipe, in-tank, and aerial monitoring for leaks, corrosion, and asset health.
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• Rapid Water Quality Testing – Real-time, field-deployable detection of key contaminants.
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By aligning innovators with end users through paid pilots, the Challenge accelerates technology validation, real-world deployment, and the resilience of our water systems.

2025 Innovation Challenge Winner

Nucleic Sensing Systems (NS2) — redefining water quality testing through rapid, field-deployable genetic detection technologies.

Meet Our Finalists

Pipein — advancing leak detection and pipe condition monitoring through real-time sensing and AI-powered analytics.

Sunfish Inc. - revolutionizing underwater inspection and maintenance with autonomous robotic vehicles for complex water systems.

Missed this year’s challenge?

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Stay up to date on this year’s pilot selections and the next round of open applications:

WATER INNOVATION WATCH

Stay ahead of industry trends with our Water Innovation Watch article series, featuring articles with in-depth analysis, expert commentary, and emerging innovations

VIEW All

march, 2025

Water Innovation Hub

Market Landscape and Investment Opportunities

Water Tech Landscape Report

October 28, 2025

Heading

WATER INNOVATION WATCH ARTICLE SERIES NO. 3

WaterTech Solutions: Soft Tech & AI Innovation for Critical Water Systems

July 1, 2025

Heading

Water Innovation Watch Article Series No. 2

Watertech Solutions: Hard Tech Innovation Addressing Tough Challenges

April 1, 2025

Heading

Water Innovation Watch: Article Series No. 1

The Urgent Case for Water Innovation

Water Innovation hub

Commercialization and deployment of advanced water technologies to address critical water challenges.

READ OUR LATEST INSIGHTS ON WATER TECH

about the

Water Innovation Hub

Building the Future of Water Innovation

READ REFLECTIONS AND INVESTOR INSIGHTS FROM NEW YORK CLIMATE WEEK

Innovation in action

Hub Programs & Pathways

Validating in the Real-World

Accelerating Breakthrough Technologies

Driving Sectoral Transformation

Advisory Council

Read bio

Konstantine Drakonakis

Connecticut innovations

Read bio

Satish Rao

Tech, Venture and Industrial Advisor

Read bio

Peter Yolles

Echo River Capital

Read bio

Max Storto

Xylem

Read bio

Jennifer Garson

Waypoint Strategy Group

Innovation Challenges

2025 Innovation Challenge Winner

Meet Our Finalists

Sign up for our newsletter

Read more here

WATER INNOVATION WATCH

Stay ahead of industry trends with our Water Innovation Watch article series, featuring articles with in-depth analysis, expert commentary, and emerging innovations

VIEW All

march, 2025

Water Innovation Hub

Market Landscape and Investment Opportunities

Water Tech Landscape Report

October 28, 2025

Heading

WATER INNOVATION WATCH ARTICLE SERIES NO. 3

WaterTech Solutions: Soft Tech & AI Innovation for Critical Water Systems

July 1, 2025

Heading

Water Innovation Watch Article Series No. 2

Watertech Solutions: Hard Tech Innovation Addressing Tough Challenges

April 1, 2025

Heading

Water Innovation Watch: Article Series No. 1

The Urgent Case for Water Innovation

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