37 Teams Progress in XPRIZE Water Scarcity Semi-Finals

The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative, in collaboration with the XPRIZE Foundation, has unveiled the 37 semi-finalist teams competing in the XPRIZE Water Scarcity challenge. This announcement signifies a pivotal moment in the global endeavor to tackle water scarcity through innovative technological solutions.

Initially launched in March 2024, this competition is a five-year initiative supported by a generous US$150 million funding from The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative, featuring a total prize package of US$119 million.

The primary objective is to enhance access to clean water by promoting desalination technologies that are affordable, efficient, reliable, and eco-friendly. The initiative also seeks to raise awareness regarding global water scarcity and encourage the large-scale implementation of effective water solutions around the world.

The semi-finalists were chosen following a rigorous judging process during the Qualified Teams Testing phase, where teams were assessed on technical capabilities, feasibility, and operational efficiency across two distinct tracks.

Track A, centered on System-Level Innovation, has identified 20 teams sharing a total funding pool of US$5 million to further their technological advancements.

Meanwhile, Track B, dedicated to Novel Materials and Methods, has selected 17 teams that will be granted up to US$300,000 in funding for continued testing and development.

Ayesha Al Ateeqi, Executive Director of The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative, emphasized that global water scarcity is one of the most pressing challenges today. She reiterated the initiative's commitment to nurturing transformative technologies aimed at making desalination scalable and affordable for communities worldwide.

Anousheh Ansari, CEO of XPRIZE, stated that the competition is designed to foster innovative solutions to ensure millions secure access to safe water. She highlighted that the semi-finalists are focused on creating energy-efficient and economically viable desalination systems for regions heavily impacted by water shortages.

Lauren Greenlee, Executive Vice President of Food, Water and Waste at XPRIZE, mentioned that the competition redefines desalination technology by lowering costs, reducing energy consumption, and minimizing environmental impacts.

Test phases for the semi-finalists are set for 2026, with finalists to be announced in early 2027, and final assessments taking place from 2027 to 2028. The winners will be declared in 2028.

In addition to the XPRIZE Water Scarcity competition, The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative promotes innovation through several other programs, including the Al Miyah Challenge for Agriculture, which aims to minimize water usage in farming without compromising crop yield, particularly in water-scarce areas like the UAE.