February 26, 2024
Exotopic and Isle Utilities are joining the Aqualunar Challenge as delivery partners and will lead an intensive and tailored programme of support to innovator teams between now and the end of the challenge in January 2025. They will provide both access to tailored support and a package of tools to help teams develop their innovations, which include one-to-one meetings with experts, webinars, bootcamps, networking opportunities and more. This package will help guide teams through the stages of the prize in ways that will optimise their solutions for purifying water on the lunar surface.
The UK track of the Aqualunar Challenge has two stages: in the first stage, which runs until 8 April 2024, applicants develop proposals that respond to the challenge. Then in the second stage, which runs until January 2025 the 10 best teams from stage 1 receive funding and support to develop their designs and build their technology. Exotopic and Isle will be providing support to teams in both stages.
During the applicant stage, we will collaboratively support entrants by orienting them to information about the UK space and water sectors, offering opportunities for teams to expand in expertise by supplying 1:1 expert guidance on their applications. This will help ensure your team has the best chance of being successful in progressing to the finalist stage.
The finalists will be announced in June of 2024 and will have further opportunities to learn and gain feedback from experts and hone their solutions. This includes an in-person bootcamp with the opportunity to visit wastewater treatment facilities, the Mars yard, and the rover at Airbus DS. There will be ongoing mentoring during this process and tailored technical and commercial support for the teams in this stage.
Applicants to both the UK and Canadian tracks of the Aqualunar Challenge will have access to expert-led webinars delving into the intricacies of both the water and space sectors. These sessions will provide valuable insights to help applicants understand the nuances of the water sector, and an understanding of the structure of the space sector, its funding streams and supply chains, as well as address some of the technical considerations for lunar missions and an overview of the lunar economy. Experts will examine the key sub-challenges to be overcome, such as drinking water standards, hard-to-treat pollutants and the lunar dust environment. We will be holding two webinars for applicants on 12 and 14 March 2024.
We’re also going to give individuals and teams a chance to pitch their expertise to others and join forces to collaborate on Aqualunar Challenge applications – at an in-person and online hybrid event in London and Edinburgh on 21 March 2024.
Applicants to the UK track will also have the option to schedule one-to-one appointments with Exotopic and Isle experts to discuss their drafted applications. These sessions aim to support applicants in identifying areas of weakness and seeking out areas for improvements with support through technical and commercial advice, signposting to resources, connecting with our networks, and helping identify users.
An in-person boot camp for all finalists at the start of the finalist phase aims to bring the teams together and equip them with the knowledge and tools required to begin delivery. Teams will have the opportunity to engage with both space and terrestrial end users and key stakeholders. There will also be the opportunity to visit wastewater treatment facilities and a visit to a major UK space manufacturer. Then, in November 2024, we will bring teams together again for a residential bootcamp event focused on developing their technology and business plans.
Through surgeries, independent reviews, triage support, 1:1 mentoring sessions, workshops, and a live Q&A board, finalists will receive tailored technical and commercial support catering to their specific project needs. Experts from Exotopic and Isle will collaborate with the teams to identify the main areas of risk and provide tailored solutions to move the innovation forward. Teams will be able to submit elements of their work to experts for review and critical feedback, directing the teams to solutions. This also includes guidance from Marks & Clerk on obtaining intellectual property protecting patentable items and pitch training.
Finalists will benefit from extensive networking opportunities across the space and water sectors, including connections to relevant technical and commercial opportunities with accelerators, industry associations, and potential investors. These networks offer avenues for collaboration, access to customers and supply chains to support teams in post-challenge development.
We believe that the support on offer will equip innovators to solve the challenge of removing contaminants from lunar water. With tailored resources, expert guidance, and networking opportunities, we have every confidence in your innovative technologies and are excited to support you on this challenge.
Isle is an international consultancy of scientists, engineers, business and regulatory experts specialising in water, with a common drive to make a positive social, economic, and environmental impact through the advancement of innovative technologies and related practices.
Exotopic is a business consultancy focussed on bringing science & technology innovation to market for economic and societal benefit.
Catch up on a recording of one of our previous sessions.
