Global Innovation
Challenge 2023

Water measurement technologies

Propelled by

In collaboration with

The Ports authorities of Montréal, Québec and Trois-Rivières are joining forces to solve common challenges related to the protection and management of water on their territories. Together, they are seeking to carry out a demonstration and technological integration project aimed at improving the performance of runoff water quality monitoring techniques in order to create a cleaner and more sustainable future.

The Challenge

The context

It is essential for ports to master different approaches and techniques for monitoring water quality in order to minimize the impacts associated with port operation activities and ensure that ports operate sustainably. In order to stay at the forefront and continue to use best practices, the three ports have joined to launch an innovation challenge with the goal of identifying new techniques and technologies for the monitoring of runoff water. They are now seeking to engage startups that can come up with one or more solutions.

Key objectives

All three ports are seeking to obtain water quality monitoring tools that can be deployed directly within their stormwater capture systems. Although functionally similar, each port is geographically and physically different. Nevertheless, the ports have aligned on specific requirements:

Event detection must be available in real-time or near-real-time to enable immediate corrective action or expedite remediation.
Any data produced must be easy to interpret.
Data collection tools may not all have access to power or physical communication networks.
Key parameters to be measured include turbidity, salinity, chlorides, and minerals. Additional measurement functions may be added as an option.
Measurement reliability is paramount.
Data and reports must be transmitted electronically to internal teams or members of the port community.
The solution must be adaptable to each port’s specific monitoring needs.
The solution must be robust, accurate, cost-effective, and commercially viable.

Benefits

Visibility and exposure to potential customers beyond the three Canadian ports.
Opportunity to develop a strategic partnership with key market leaders.
Collection of feedback from each port to help refine and improve your solution.
Exposure to other markets to potentially expand your customer base.
Access to port infrastructure and field experts.
Access to a network of partners in research, development, manufacturing, and engineering.
Support for the development of your technology and the growth of your business.
Opportunity to present your company and technology in front of a jury composed of executives, experts, entrepreneurs, and investors.
Recognition for participating in the challenge and opportunity to present your solution to a wider audience.

Targeted technologies

Data collection:
Sensor/system for collecting data directly from the rainwater collection network, without electrical or optical connection.

Dashboard or Event Reporting:
System that can provide real-time or near-real-time notifications.

Reports:
Ability to provide historical trends based on a selected period for any number of selected measurement points.

Predictive tools:
Integration of predictive capability.

Data collection:
Sensor/system for collecting data directly from the rainwater collection network, without electrical or optical connection.

Dashboard or Event Reporting:
System that can provide real-time or near-real-time notifications.

Reports:
Ability to provide historical trends based on a selected period for any number of selected measurement points.

Predictive tools:
Integration of predictive capability.

Admissibility

Companies developing high-growth potential technology and/or business models, seeking a customer or strategic partner.
Companies in the seed, Series A, and Series B funding stages.
Companies that have been in existence for at least two years.
Companies with a minimum of three employees.
Companies with a product or service at Technology Readiness Level 5 (TRL 5) or higher.
Geographic locations: North America + targeted European ecosystems.
Languages: Fluency in French or English is required.
If selected, the founder or CEO of the company must be available between August and December 2023 for discussions with the three ports (virtual mode, estimated duration of 15 hours per month).

Selection criteria

Product Development Status: The pre-commercial product is under development, already tested, or ready for a pilot project.
Relevance of water quality measurement: The project clearly outlines an ability to provide reliable water quality measurements in an industrial environment.
Technological capabilities: The team has the ability to create the tool or system to meet reporting or communication requirements.
Team: The founding team has the necessary experience and expertise to align with the challenge theme and has the ability to drive the project forward while continuously collaborating with representatives from the three ports.
Scalability: The team has the ability to complete the project within established timelines.

Possible end goal

Customer-supplier Agreement
Pilot project
Strategic partnership
Co-development project

Apply Now

The timeline

Startup scouting: May 17 – June 30
Pre-selection of 10-12 startups: Mid to late July (date to be confirmed)
Selection date of 2-3 startups: September (date to be confirmed)
Program dates and required time commitment for startups.

End game

If you are selected, you will be working with the Port Authorities to adapt your solution to their industrial needs. Ultimately, the Port Authorities are looking to secure a strategic partnership agreement with 1 or 2 service providers.

Global Innovation Challenge 2023

Water measurement technologies

Propelled by

In collaboration with

The Challenge

The context

Key objectives

All three ports are seeking to obtain water quality monitoring tools that can be deployed directly within their stormwater capture systems. Although functionally similar, each port is geographically and physically different. Nevertheless, the ports have aligned on specific requirements:

Event detection must be available in real-time or near-real-time to enable immediate corrective action or expedite remediation.

Any data produced must be easy to interpret.

Data collection tools may not all have access to power or physical communication networks.

Key parameters to be measured include turbidity, salinity, chlorides, and minerals. Additional measurement functions may be added as an option.

Measurement reliability is paramount.

Data and reports must be transmitted electronically to internal teams or members of the port community.

The solution must be adaptable to each port’s specific monitoring needs.

The solution must be robust, accurate, cost-effective, and commercially viable.

Benefits

Visibility and exposure to potential customers beyond the three Canadian ports.

Opportunity to develop a strategic partnership with key market leaders.

Collection of feedback from each port to help refine and improve your solution.

Exposure to other markets to potentially expand your customer base.

Access to port infrastructure and field experts.

Access to a network of partners in research, development, manufacturing, and engineering.

Support for the development of your technology and the growth of your business.

Opportunity to present your company and technology in front of a jury composed of executives, experts, entrepreneurs, and investors.

Recognition for participating in the challenge and opportunity to present your solution to a wider audience.

Targeted technologies

Data collection: Sensor/system for collecting data directly from the rainwater collection network, without electrical or optical connection.

Dashboard or Event Reporting: System that can provide real-time or near-real-time notifications.

Reports: Ability to provide historical trends based on a selected period for any number of selected measurement points.

Predictive tools: Integration of predictive capability.

Admissibility

Companies developing high-growth potential technology and/or business models, seeking a customer or strategic partner.

Companies in the seed, Series A, and Series B funding stages.

Companies that have been in existence for at least two years.

Companies with a minimum of three employees.

Companies with a product or service at Technology Readiness Level 5 (TRL 5) or higher.

Geographic locations: North America + targeted European ecosystems.

Languages: Fluency in French or English is required.

If selected, the founder or CEO of the company must be available between August and December 2023 for discussions with the three ports (virtual mode, estimated duration of 15 hours per month).

Selection criteria

Product Development Status: The pre-commercial product is under development, already tested, or ready for a pilot project.

Relevance of water quality measurement: The project clearly outlines an ability to provide reliable water quality measurements in an industrial environment.

Technological capabilities: The team has the ability to create the tool or system to meet reporting or communication requirements.

Team: The founding team has the necessary experience and expertise to align with the challenge theme and has the ability to drive the project forward while continuously collaborating with representatives from the three ports.

Scalability: The team has the ability to complete the project within established timelines.

Possible end goal

Customer-supplier Agreement

Pilot project

Strategic partnership

Co-development project

Apply Now

The timeline

Startup scouting: May 17 – June 30

Pre-selection of 10-12 startups: Mid to late July (date to be confirmed)

Selection date of 2-3 startups: September (date to be confirmed)

Program dates and required time commitment for startups.

End game

If you are selected, you will be working with the Port Authorities to adapt your solution to their industrial needs. Ultimately, the Port Authorities are looking to secure a strategic partnership agreement with 1 or 2 service providers.

Additional benefits

You might also benefits from a curated acceleration program provided by Flots and access up to 30K in non-dilutive funding.

Apply now

Propelled by

In collaboration with

Global Innovation
Challenge 2023

Data collection:
Sensor/system for collecting data directly from the rainwater collection network, without electrical or optical connection.

Dashboard or Event Reporting:
System that can provide real-time or near-real-time notifications.

Reports:
Ability to provide historical trends based on a selected period for any number of selected measurement points.

Predictive tools:
Integration of predictive capability.