$25K in non-dilutive funding for early-stage Chicagoland water tech startups.
Have a water technology solution with big potential?
Apply to pitch at Innovation on Tap, an in-person pitch competition for early-stage water tech startups in Greater Chicagoland.
Selected founders will compete for a combined $25,000 in non-dilutive funding, plus pitch coaching and direct connections to investors, innovation, and industry partners.
Innovation on Tap is designed to help founders developing innovative water solutions outside traditional university innovation ecosystems and capital networks access the funding and connections they need to succeed.
Applications for Innovation on Tap are now CLOSED.
Innovation on Tap: A Water Tech Pitch Competition
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Innovation on Tap: A Water Tech Pitch Competition
Subhead text that outlines or provides more context to the page and its content.
What do the start-ups get?
Pitch at Innovation on Tap for a chance to access funding, coaching, and connections that will help you get your water tech market-ready.
$25,000 in Non-Dilutive Funding: Four winners will receive unrestricted funding to put directly toward R&D, customer discovery, or other business-building needs.
- 1st Place: $15,000
- 2nd Place: $5,000
- 3rd Place: $2,500
- 4th Place: $2,500
Pitch & Storytelling Coaching: Get pre-pitch support to sharpen your deck, strengthen your story, and clearly communicate your technology and market opportunity.
High-Impact Connections: Connect directly with investors, industry partners, and commercialization experts who can help you advance your technology and grow your business.
Post-Pitch Support: Keep the momentum going with commercialization guidance, three follow-up check-ins with our team, and access to the Great Lakes RENEW network.
Who are we?
Innovation on Tap is hosted by Current, an independent nonprofit based in Chicago that is dedicated to solving pressing water challenges to grow a circular blue economy in the Great Lakes Region.
Thank you to our funding partners:
- The Coleman Foundation: A philanthropic foundation that invests in the efforts of community-based organizations and local institutions to preserve and strengthen the physical health and the economic and emotional well-being of people living in the greater Chicago region. Learn more.
- Great Lakes RENEW: As a National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engine led by Current, this 75+ partner coalition supports water tech commercialization, offering startups long-term platform visibility and ecosystem connections. Learn more.
Thank you to our event partners:
- Evergreen Climate Innovations: Catalyzing early-stage climate technologies, providing crucial investment, mentorship, and support to Midwest environmental innovators. Learn more.
- LongJump VC: A founder-led, seed-stage venture fund empowering first-time and underrepresented entrepreneurs across the Chicagoland ecosystem. Learn more.
- World Business Chicago: Partnering via the Chicago Venture Summit to elevate local climate and hard-tech startups to global investors and regional leaders. Learn more.
Attend The Pitch Competition
Be apart of shaping Chicago’s water tech future.
Join us on Wednesday, October 21 at mHUB (1623 W Fulton St, Chicago, IL) for Innovation on Tap. Experience live startup pitches as early-stage founders compete for $25,000 in non-dilutive funding, engage with an expert panel on water innovation, and explore live technology demos at the Great Lakes RENEW Startup Showcase.
Important Dates:
Applications Open:
Application Deadline:
Finalists Selected & Notified:
Mandatory | Pitch Prep & Coaching:
Live Pitch Event:
Mandatory | Post Pitch Support
September 17th, 2026
September 27th, 2026 at 11:59 PM CT
October 2nd, 2026
October 5-16th, 2026
October 21st, 2026
January-July, 2027
Don’t Miss Out!
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