Keynote 1 from Stephanie Hurry, Head of Water Efficiency at Waterwise
Keynote 2 Technical Demonstration from Dan Riley, Spearhead Interactive

hosted by The Water Hub at Durham University

Future Water Association’s Water Dragons provides a unique opportunity for companies to pitch their innovative products, services or processes to a panel of water sector specialists. Previous judges have included UK water utilities, Tier 1 contractors and government bodies.

The second heat of the Water Dragons 2018 is being hosted by The Water Hub, during which there will be two separate competitions with opportunities available for two categories of innovation:

1. Future Water Association Water Dragons Entries
   
2. The Water Hub Entries

The Challenge
One of the key successes of the water industry’s 2014 price review (PR14) was the focus on customer engagement. However, the challenges facing the industry in PR19 will require greater innovations and efficiencies to be achieved. Faced with stretched water resources (from climate change and a growing population); there is a need to build and maintain resilience, so we can anticipate, and recover from shocks; and develop smarter ways to use water.

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Future Water Association’s Water Dragons Competition
Products, services or processes put before the Water Dragons must be able to demonstrate clear and distinct benefits and presenters will need to explain how their innovation can make or save money for their clients – the water companies.

In an 10 minute pitch, followed by questions from the Water Dragons, entrants must be able to:

• Identify the Market need – what challenges is the innovation addressing?
• Explain clearly and succinctly what makes your product, service or process innovative compared to alternatives.
• Provide evidence on the potential savings and operational benefits your product or service could generate. The Dragons will be looking for forecasts based on sustainable assumptions.
• Provide evidence that you have thought how best to market your product or service to prospective clients
• Convince the Dragons that your product or service can fit into existing work practices and cultures

The two highest scoring pitches will be chosen to attend the Water Dragons final in the early part of 2019.

Companies pitching on the day include:
       Clancy Docwra – MAXswell Technology – Methven – QINOV8 – RainDropHarvest – Reece Innovation

The Water Hub’s Proof of Concept Competition
Entries falling into the ‘proof-of-concept’ category will be pitching to showcase an idea, secure business support or gain opportunities for product validation.

All good innovations start as an idea. Not everyone will have a product or service with a well-developed business plan, but that shouldn’t anyone off entering. The Water Hub is looking for ideas that are still in the seedling stage; with a vision for how to disrupt the way we currently do things to provide clear and distinct benefits for an identified water or environment sector client.

In a 3-minute pitch, we’re looking for entrants who can showcase their idea. They must be able to:

• Identify what challenges their innovation is addressing.
• Explain clearly and succinctly what makes their product, service or process innovative compared to alternatives.
• Estimate potential savings or operational benefits their product or service could generate.

There will be time for a few quick questions from the Dragons, and more time to follow up on these in the afternoon refreshment break and networking session.

Companies pitching on the day include:
Twipes – OTA WATER – Quensus – MW Polymers – PMA UK

Meet the Water Dragons: (from left to right) Richard Whale, Water Market Director, Atkins – Stephanie Hurry, Head of Water Efficiency, Waterwise – Clair Cooper, Doctoral Researcher, Durham University – Chris Jones, R&D Manager, Northumbrian Water

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