2024 CHALLENGE

2024 CHALLENGE

2024 CHALLENGE

Resilience

Resilience

How can DEP enhance climate resiliency goals including carbon reduction actions, noise/air/water compliance initiatives, flooding mitigations, and water conservation strategies?

Applications due August 1, 2024

Sunset over the Ashokan Reservoir in New York
Sunset over the Ashokan Reservoir in New York
NYC DEP worker wearing a hard hard and yellow safety vest

Technologies may include but are not limited to solving the following use cases

  • Stormwater management tools to monitor combined sewer overflow (CSO) overflows, measure imperviousness at non-DEP owned properties, and monitor impact on pump stations/treatment plants to inform drainage planning 

  • Catch basin inspection tools to determine depth of sediment below water level

  • Real time analysis tools for enterococcus testing, lead, copper, microbial disinfection byproducts, PFAS, microplastics, and other forever chemicals

  • Tools to optimize and expand EV fleet operations including vehicle utilization optimization tools, wireless charging, reducing emissions from tire particles, vehicle operator authentication tools, safety software tools to reduce preventable collisions via improved driver training, and mapping tools for large trucks, etc. 

  • Solar power and energy storage solutions to enhance renewable energy uptake 

  • Reporting tools to help manage various compliance requirements for drinking water and wastewater quality 

  • Flood prediction tools to identify root causes, map changing weather patterns, and assess the aerial extent of flooding to improve flood mitigation efforts

  • Construction design, modeling, and pricing tools to better plan and prepare for climate risk in capital projects 

  • Carbon sink estimation tools for future GHG inventory integration

  • Technologies to identify, locate, and map underground infrastructure including sewer lines, water lines, telephone lines, electric lines, etc. 

  • Noise detection systems which can send real time alerts and log noise violations geographically 

  • Emission monitoring and control tools for known hazard sites including construction sites, commercial cooking, and methane/nitrous oxide in wastewater treatment facilities 

  • Real-time monitoring and analytics to better manage air quality, noise, and water flow in remote environments

Information Session

Information Session

Information Session

Learn more about the Environmental Tech Lab, the application process, and hear from the NYC Department of Environmental Protection.

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How the Lab Works

The Environmental Tech Lab is a collaboration between the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the New York City Partnership Foundation, the nonprofit affiliate of Partnership Fund for New York City. 

We provide companies with expedited paths to testing, expert feedback, access to key decision makers from DEP, and an accelerated go/no-go decision. Companies with exceptional use cases will be selected for a yearlong pilot with the agency.

Timeline

June 3, 2024

June 3, 2024

June 3, 2024

Challenge Announcement

Challenges are announced based on DEP leadership’s goals and priorities.

June 3-August 1, 2024

June 3-August 1, 2024

June 3-August 1, 2024

Open Application

Growth-stage companies apply online, detailing evidence of product-market fit.

August 2024

August 2024

August 2024

Evaluation Period

DEP and private sector experts from water and sustainability sectors review applications.

September 10-12, 2024 (NYC)

September 10-12, 2024 (NYC)

September 10-12, 2024 (NYC)

Semi-Finalist Pitch & Demo Day

Select companies are invited to New York City to pitch to a panel of private sector and DEP evaluators

Select companies receive an invite to participate in an expo-style Demo Day aimed at exposure to a wider audience at DEP 

September 23, 2024 - October 18, 2024

September 23, 2024 - October 18, 2024

September 23, 2024 - October 18, 2024

Preparation for Proof of Concept

Confirmation on scope of work for the Proof of Concept, as well as administrative tasks around cybersecurity and insurance is  completed before the Proof of Concept starts. 

October 21, 2024 - December 20, 2024

October 21, 2024 - December 20, 2024

October 21, 2024 - December 20, 2024

Proof of Concept

Proof of Concepts are launched, where a minimal viable test is conducted with DEP.

January 14-15, 2025 (NYC)

January 14-15, 2025 (NYC)

January 14-15, 2025 (NYC)

Finalist Presentations

Finalists present findings to DEP Leadership in New York City.

April 2025-2026

April 2025-2026

April 2025-2026

Pilots

Select companies engage in a yearlong Pilot demonstrating technology at scale.

Terms & Conditions

Please review our Terms & Conditions which govern participation in the Environmental Tech Lab.