TECHNOLOGY IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST

Apply: 2026-2027 Challenges

Each year, we engage agency leadership and staff to develop priority problem statements to improve NYC’s water and wastewater system. Our proven process has received strong endorsement from both the startups and public servants we work with.

Planning, Data & Field Operations

How can DEP make planning, cost estimation, field data collection, and administrative review faster and more data-driven?

Planning, Data & Field Operations

How can DEP make planning, cost estimation, field data collection, and administrative review faster and more data-driven?

Asset Condition & Failure Prevention

How can DEP detect problems in its pipes, equipment, and infrastructure earlier, so it can act before failures, breaks, or downtime?

Asset Condition & Failure Prevention

How can DEP detect problems in its pipes, equipment, and infrastructure earlier, so it can act before failures, breaks, or downtime?

Resource & Energy Recovery:

How can DEP capture more value from its wastewater and sewer systems, recovering usable energy, heat, and materials?

Resource & Energy Recovery:

How can DEP capture more value from its wastewater and sewer systems, recovering usable energy, heat, and materials?

APPLY

Eligibility Requirements

To be evaluated, applicants must meet these requirements:

Be a growth-stage company with an innovative solution to one of the open challenges

Have technology that is at least in beta version (i.e., working prototype with active users) and successfully deployed with at least one customer.

Subsidiaries of larger companies are not eligible to apply.

Be a corporation, joint venture, partnership, or LLC as defined by Applicable Law and registered to do business in the State of New York (“NYS Registration”)

If you are not yet registered to do business in the State of New York, please do so prior to starting the Proof of Concept phase

Store all agency partner data in the US

Companies may be subject to insurance and cyber reviews prior to beginning proof of concept projects

Accept the Program Terms & Conditions

Timeline

September 14 - October 23, 2026

Challenge Launch + Application Period

Challenges are announced based on DEP leadership’s goals and priorities. Growth-stage companies apply online, detailing evidence of product-market fit.

November 2026

Evaluation Part 1

Experts from water and wastewater sectors review applications, and a subset of applicants are invited to New York City to pitch to a panel of DEP and private sector evaluators.

December 8-10, 2026 (NYC)

Pitch & Demo Day

Select companies are invited to NYC to pitch to a panel of private and public sector evaluators. Select companies receive an invite to participate in an expo-style Demo Day aimed at exposure to a wider audience at DEP.

JANUARY – MAY, 2027

Evaluation Part 2

Selected companies complete scoping calls with DEP operational staff, cybersecurity reviews, insurance requirements, and investor/customer calls to confirm readiness to work with DEP.

MAY - AUGUST, 2027

Proof of Concept Projects

Selected companies conduct a three-month structured technology test, with success criteria and scope defined collaboratively by the company and DEP project managers. Companies showing strong results may be invited to continue for an additional period of three months to allow DEP more time to evaluate the technology or explore a path to commercialization.

SEPTEMBER 2027

Final Presentations

Companies present findings to DEP leadership in NYC. Based on POC outcomes, DEP determines the path forward, whether a pilot, procurement, or continued engagement, with the goal of deploying the most promising technologies at scale across the agency.

Information Session

Thursday, October 8, 2026, 1:00-2:00pm ET

Join us for the remote Environmental Tech Lab information session and learn about applying to the 2026 program! Webinar attendees may submit questions in the registration form.

During this session you can expect to: