SAP Next-Gen & Startubootcamp Announce the Epic SDG Water Challenge for Innovative Solutions

SAP Next-Gen, in partnership with StartupBootcamp (SBC), has launched the Epic Groundwater Challenge for African startups. The challenge is geared at getting startups to develop innovative solutions for clean water and sanitation, a United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG).

[News] Introducing the Epic Groundwater Challenge: A global crowdsourcing effort from Startupbootcamp @SBCAfriTech , World Economic Forum @wef, @WorldBank & @SAPNextGen to tap #startups & accelerate solutions to @UN #GlobalGoals Goal 6: Clean Waterhttps://t.co/T13tTleDMv

— SAP Next-Gen (@SAPNextGen) August 27, 2018

Groundwater is a very important topic for many reasons. Firstly, it is one of the most important sources of water for a large part of the world. Boreholes, for example, provide water supply to a large number of people in Africa. Groundwater also discharges to the surface in many locations, contributing to natural springs and rivers. In turn, these rivers also form another important source of water for many people in the world.

Even in industries and different sectors, groundwater plays a key role. It contributes about 40% of the water used for irrigation. Additionally, groundwater contributes 98% of fresh water found in plants.

So clearly, groundwater is a very important player in our ecosystem.

However, the concept is not very well-understood and sadly, the decision-makers in Africa, for example, have not done very well to understand the challenges it portends. This makes water resource management difficult, and slow in meeting up with the demand of a rising global population. Fortunately, the UN recognizes this problem and made it a goal of the SDG.

The Epic Groundwater Challenge aims to change all of these.

How the Challenge Works

Developing a solution to this global problem may not be easy. However, the Epic Groundwater Challenge expects startups to develop viable solutions that focus on one nation: Tanzania’s agricultural sector.

With freshwater resources per person depleting fast over the last 25 years, Tanzania’s agricultural sector is expected to lose an estimated $200 million a year.

Passionate about being part of the solution to global water challenges? Here's your big chance: Join the Epic Groundwater Challenge linked to #Goal6 https://t.co/Jh1gbta3dF @SiliconCape @Sbootcamp @wef pic.twitter.com/2ssK3sVaFl

— SAP Next-Gen (@SAPNextGen) August 27, 2018

Startups are to develop a solution that makes it easy for the agro sector stakeholders to get reliable information on the availability of groundwater.

Who Should Apply

The application is open to startups developing the following solutions:

• Innovative services and solutions to monitor new and existing sources of groundwater while measuring existing consumption.
• Startups developing innovative solutions to irrigations farming.
• Startups developing services to identify and predict weather patterns with a focus on disruptive events such as droughts and floods.
• Innovators developing techniques and devices to tackle water shortages and monitor groundwater levels.
• Startups building solutions with 4IR technologies, which include: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Drones, Information of Things (IoT) Sensors, Remote Sensing.

Benefits

• Participating startups get to work with industry leaders to fine-tune and develop their solutions.
• Access to both SAP and Startupbootcamp’s network of partners, including government and corporate.
• Demo day exhibition of the winning solutions.
• Accelerator programs and classes.

Applications are currently open for the Epic Groundwater Challenge. Deadline for submissions is September 12, 2018. Click here to apply.