Indo-Danish AIM-ICDK Water Innovation Challenge 4.0 Concludes with Key Advances in Sustainable Water Solutions

This year’s challenge went beyond technical innovation, emphasizing practical, scalable solutions in water management, conservation, and accessibility.

The fourth edition of the AIM-ICDK Water Innovation Challenge concluded successfully at the 2024 Next Generation Digital Action (NGDA) in Copenhagen, Denmark, marking another milestone in the Indo-Danish Green Strategic Partnership. This year’s event underscored the strong collaboration between India and Denmark in advancing sustainable and innovative solutions for critical water issues.

The 2024 challenge was organized by the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) of NITI Aayog and Innovation Centre Denmark (ICDK) under the DTU Next Generation Action Program, with additional support from the International Centre for Clean Water (ICCW), India’s Ministry of Jal Shakti, Denmark’s Environmental Protection Agency, the Embassy of Denmark, and the DANIDA Fellowship. By fostering a premier platform for young entrepreneurs and researchers, the challenge has become a vital initiative for addressing global environmental challenges through sustainable, collaborative efforts.

Dr. Chintan Vaishnav, Mission Director of Atal Innovation Mission, praised the impact of the initiative, stating, "The AIM-ICDK Water Innovation Challenge exemplifies the Indo-Danish commitment to sustainable solutions for global water issues. The achievements of our young innovators at the Next Gen Digital Action 2024 in Copenhagen reflect the potential of international collaboration in tackling pressing environmental challenges."

This year’s challenge went beyond technical innovation, emphasizing practical, scalable solutions in water management, conservation, and accessibility. Indian and Danish teams presented groundbreaking concepts and prototypes, paving the way for real-world applications.

Highlights of the Challenge and Notable Indian Teams

India’s participation brought a dynamic delegation of five startup teams and three university teams to Copenhagen, where they engaged with global talents from leading universities and innovation hubs across 10 countries. Among these, three student-led teams from India—Clim8 Checkmate from VIT Vellore, and Qualgrip from IIT Madras—stood out with their innovative solutions. Additionally, early-stage startups Navmarg and Scrapify presented forward-thinking projects aimed at sustainable water management.

One standout achievement came from Clim8, a team from VIT Vellore that won the prestigious Acceleration Award for its solution to South Africa’s challenge on ‘Leveraging Machine Learning and AI for Infrastructure Pricing.’ Clim8 also received the Best Startup Award in the national category for India, a testament to their pioneering approach to using AI and machine learning in addressing infrastructure and water management challenges.

The Indian delegation was honored at a reception hosted by H.E. Manish Prabhat, Ambassador of India to Denmark, who applauded the young innovators for their commitment to tackling global environmental challenges. “The AIM-ICDK Water Innovation Challenge highlights the deepening partnership between India and Denmark. The achievements of our young entrepreneurs reflect our shared dedication to fostering sustainable solutions and empowering the next generation of leaders in environmental innovation,” he stated.

Collaborative Events and Future Prospects

During the week-long event, the Indian teams participated in intensive boot camps and networking sessions, culminating in pitch presentations at the Digital Tech Summit held from October 30-31, 2024, in Copenhagen. The summit provided a valuable platform for young entrepreneurs to showcase their ideas before an international audience of industry leaders, diplomats, and potential investors.

The event also included a ‘Tech Bazaar’ organized by DTU Skylab, where diplomats, industry experts, and innovators from around the globe discussed emerging technologies in water sustainability and digital solutions. Here, the Indo-Danish teams exchanged insights and explored further collaboration possibilities that can drive impactful and scalable solutions.

Consul General and Head of Trade and Innovation at the Consulate General of Denmark in Bangalore, Eske Bo Rosenberg, spoke on the growing synergy between the two nations, stating, “India’s participation at the Next Generation Digital Action and Digital Tech Summit exemplifies the strength of Indo-Danish relations. It is inspiring to see young entrepreneurs embody the spirit of international cooperation, advancing our shared goals in sustainable development and innovation.”

The success of the AIM-ICDK Water Innovation Challenge 4.0 showcases the benefits of international collaboration in addressing environmental issues and sets the stage for future Indo-Danish initiatives that will further strengthen both countries’ commitment to sustainable development. With promising innovations and a robust framework for partnership, India and Denmark are poised to continue their joint efforts in driving scalable solutions for global water challenges.