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Environmental Tech Lab 2025 Challenge Competition

Pilot your water- and climate-tech solutions with NYC DEP through an 8-week proof-of-concept program

Organizer: Environmental Tech Lab
Deadline: August 8, 2025
Category: Competition
Regions: Rwanda, Burundi, Liberia, Tanzania, Benin, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, Sudan, Central African Republic, Djibouti, South Africa, Madagascar, Tunisia, Gambia, Togo, Equatorial Guinea, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Botswana, Mozambique, Comoros, Mauritius, Morocco, Ghana, Algeria, Chad, Cabo Verde, Namibia, Somalia, Niger, Seychelles, Congo, Zimbabwe, Senegal, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Mali, Eritrea, South Sudan, Egypt, Gabon, Malawi, Angola, Eswatini, Uganda, Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria, Lesotho, Ethiopia, Sao Tome & Principe, Libya, Zambia, DR Congo
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The Environmental Tech Lab 2025 Challenge invites innovative growth-stage companies to collaborate with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYC DEP) in addressing some of the most pressing environmental challenges facing urban infrastructure. Organized by the Environmental Tech Lab, a joint initiative of the NYC DEP and the Partnership Fund for New York City, the program offers selected participants the opportunity to pilot their technologies in real-world settings through an eight-week Proof of Concept (PoC) engagement.

About the Environmental Tech Lab

The Environmental Tech Lab is a public-private initiative launched by the Partnership Fund for New York City in collaboration with the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The Lab is designed to accelerate the deployment of breakthrough environmental technologies that can enhance the performance and sustainability of New York City’s infrastructure systems.

Through strategic collaboration, the Lab connects innovative companies with NYC DEP to:

  • Pilot solutions in real-world conditions
  • Address operational and environmental challenges in urban infrastructure
  • Improve water, wastewater, and climate resilience in a dense metropolitan setting

Focus Areas

The Lab welcomes companies offering solutions in the following sectors:

  • WaterTech
  • ClimateTech
  • CleanTech
  • GovTech
  • AI & Data
  • SensorTech
  • Infrastructure

Target Applicant Profile

The program is open to high-potential startups and growth-stage companies that meet the following criteria:

  • Stage: Agnostic
  • Geographic Reach: Companies from all African countries and beyond are eligible to apply

2025 Challenges

Each year, the Environmental Tech Lab issues open calls around specific, high-impact operational challenges faced by NYC DEP. Applicants are invited to submit innovative solutions that respond to these issues, which do not necessarily need to be designed for water/wastewater systems but must address the core challenge areas. Details on the 2025 challenges are available on the program website.

Eligibility Requirements

To be considered, applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Be a growth-stage company offering a solution aligned with one of the open challenges.
  • Have a working prototype (beta or later) with active users and at least one successful customer deployment.
  • Be legally registered as a corporation, joint venture, partnership, or LLC, and authorized to conduct business in New York State.
  • Nonprofits registered as not-for-profit corporations are eligible to apply.
  • Public companies and subsidiaries of public companies are not eligible.
  • Agree to store all NYC DEP data within the United States.
  • Pass a cybersecurity review by NYC Cyber Command before launching the PoC.
  • Accept all Program Terms and Conditions.

How to Apply

Applications are accepted through the F6S platform. An Application Guide Video is available, offering a walkthrough led by the Director of Innovation Programs. Interested companies are encouraged to review this resource for step-by-step guidance.

The Environmental Tech Lab 2025 Challenge offers a unique platform for mission-driven companies to test and scale their technologies in partnership with NYC’s infrastructure leaders. With a clear focus on real-world impact and cross-sector collaboration, the program presents a compelling opportunity for startups ready to tackle the environmental challenges of tomorrow.