Imagine H2O’s 2025 Coastal Innovation Challenge Awards Pilot Funding to Four Innovative Water-tech Companies

With billions of people globally at risk of flooding, water supply shortages, plastic pollution and other water quality issues – the need to invest in and support water innovation solutions has never been greater. With only a fraction of investment dollars going toward water startups, it is vital for organizations like Imagine H2O to step up and help to fund and cultivate promising entrepreneurs and companies who are doing everything they can to make a positive difference in the marketplace and in people’s lives. Water is the world’s most valuable natural resource and there is opportunity in being part of the movement to scale these solutions.

Imagine H2O’s 2025 Coastal Innovation Challenge is no exception. Supported by Oceankind, four winners were selected from a pool of 220 highly competitive applications to each receive up to $100,000 in pilot funding to test and apply their solutions in coastal communities.

The strong interest in this year’s Challenge reflects key water innovation trends, with applicants addressing climate adaptation, mitigation, and ecosystem health. Of the 220 applicants, 67% focused on four key areas—Data & Monitoring (22%), Treatment & Reuse (21%), Ocean Health (14%), and Drinking Water (10%), with the winners specializing in the fields of water quality monitoring, desalination, microplastic removal, and wastewater treatment.

Introducing the Coastal Innovation Challenge Winners

Nucleic Sensing Systems

Nucleic Sensing Systems (Saint Paul, Minnesota) is developing a continuous-flow biosensor for detecting eDNA and RNA autonomously in the field. This technology eliminates lab delays, enabling faster responses to invasive species, harmful algal blooms, and other threats. Pilot pending site selection.

OceanWell

OceanWell (Menlo Park, California) is developing a subsea water farm that uses ocean pressure to power the reverse osmosis process and produce freshwater. The solution offers an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly way to produce affordable fresh water for coastal communities, eliminating the need for onshore plants. The initial deployment will take place in Las Virgenes, CA.

PolyGone

PolyGone (Princeton, New Jersey) is designing a portable microplastic filter that effectively removes millions of aquatic microplastic pollutants from wastewater effluent, resulting in cleaner, safer water for coastal communities. The target deployment location is in Charleston, SC.

WaiHome

WaiHome (Haleiwa, Hawaii) offers an above ground wastewater treatment system designed to seamlessly integrate into backyard landscapes, preventing groundwater pollution while avoiding expensive and disruptive excavation. This cost-effective solution addresses the challenges of homeowners and communities in regions with shallow groundwater or bedrock, starting with deployment targets on the North Shore of Oahu, HI.

The Coastal Innovation Challenge is part of Imagine H2O’s broader Water Innovation Pilot Fund supported by Oceankind and the Coca-Cola Foundation. Pilot funding is a critically important first step to achieving market transformation, as it tests the feasibility of a technology solution and applies lessons learned before large scale investments are made. Since 2018, Imagine H2O has awarded over $2.2 million in pilot funding across 17 countries to de-risk emerging water and climate solutions

The four winners of the 2025 Coastal Innovation Challenge are expected to begin their pilot’s implementation over the next few months. Throughout 2025, we’ll provide regular updates and insights on their progress – stay informed by subscribing to our newsletter.

Imagine H2O is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a global footprint. Click here to make an online tax-deductible donation or email Andrea Luecke to begin a conversation about becoming a corporate or philanthropic supporter.

Thank You to the Judges of the Coastal Innovation Challenge: