June 16, 2025 – The Environmental Tech Lab (ETL)—a public-private initiative by of the Partnership Fund for New York City and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)—today launched the third year of the Environmental Tech Lab’s annual competition, seeking tech-driven approaches to support DEP’s objectives in Operations Optimization & Analytics and Emergency Response & Security.

The ETL identifies innovative technology solutions from the global tech sector to help address the challenges of managing and maintaining New York City’s water and wastewater network, the nation’s largest, which provides approximately 1 billion gallons of high-quality drinking water each day to nearly 10 million residents. DEP is also responsible for managing over $24 billion of construction and design projects and overseeing the Air Code to reduce emissions and regulate noise pollution and hazardous waste.

Applications for the two challenges are now open, and interested companies can submit proposals until August 8, 2025. Visit the Environmental Tech Lab website for more information about the challenges and applications.

Companies that are selected will have the opportunity to collaborate with the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on proof-of-concept project development and testing over an eight-week period.

The ETL 2025 Challenges are:

• Operations Optimization & Analytics: How might we improve DEP’s infrastructure performance, capital planning, and day-to-day operations by using AI, integrated data, and advanced sensing technologies?

• Emergency Response & Security: How might we enhance DEP’s response to storms, site emergencies, and infrastructure security risks?

The ETL was launched in 2023 as one of the Partnership Fund’s three public-sector innovation labs, a cornerstone of its “technology in the public interest” strategy aimed at helping government agencies deliver services more effectively for the benefit of all New Yorkers who use them.

Through the first two years of the ETL, DEP has been able to identify, evaluate, and test 14 technologies developed by early- and growth-stage companies, providing an accelerated pathway for participating companies to pilot and scale innovations.

Rohit T. Aggarwala, DEP Commissioner and New York City Chief Climate Officer, said, “As a city on the frontlines of climate change, New York must also remain at the forefront of innovation—and the Environmental Tech Lab is helping us do just that. Now in its third year, this program continues to deliver real results by connecting cutting-edge technologies with DEP’s most urgent challenges. The success of past collaborations has shown what’s possible when forward-thinking companies work hand-in-hand with DEP to improve upon the essential services we provide every day.”

Maria Gotsch, President & CEO at the Partnership Fund for New York City, said, “New York City is both an international hub for technology innovation and a global leader in municipal water delivery, and great things can happen when those two worlds come together to collaborate. We're eager to mobilize forward-thinking private sector talent to tackle the challenges facing the U.S.’s largest water and wastewater network to help build a more sustainable city—and economy.”

Stacey Matlen, Senior Vice President of Innovation at the Partnership for New York City, said, “The Environmental Tech Lab provides innovative entrepreneurs with an exceptional opportunity to make a positive impact on a very meaningful scale. By working to future-proof New York City’s renowned water system, participants will be laying a foundation that millions of New Yorkers and visitors benefit from for years to come.”

The challenges were developed following in-depth deliberations with senior DEP staff across 12 bureaus and offices. Last year’s program received over 100 applications.

About the Environmental Tech Lab

The Environmental Tech Lab (ETL) launched in 2023, in partnership with New York City’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), to apply new technology solutions to address critical challenges posed by climate change and the need to build a sustainable future for our water and wastewater systems.

The ETL is part of the Partnership Fund for New York City’s “Technology in the Public Interest” strategy which aims to invest in companies and programs that advance the application of new technologies to address urban challenges, including helping government agencies deliver services more effectively. In addition to the ETL, the Partnership Fund operates the Transit Tech Lab (TTL), established in 2018 in partnership with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and expanded in 2019 to the NYC Department of Transportation, and the Port Authority of NY and NJ; and the Buildings Tech Lab (BTL), launched in 2024 in collaboration with the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB).

About the NYC Department of Environmental Protection

DEP manages New York City’s water supply, providing approximately 1 billion gallons of high-quality drinking water each day to nearly 10 million residents, including 8.8 million in New York City. The water is delivered from a watershed that extends more than 125 miles from the city, comprising 19 reservoirs and three controlled lakes. Approximately 7,000 miles of water mains, tunnels and aqueducts bring water to homes and businesses throughout the five boroughs, and 7,500 miles of sewer lines and 96 pump stations take wastewater to 14 in-city treatment plants. DEP also protects the health and safety of New Yorkers by enforcing the Air and Noise Codes and asbestos rules. DEP has a robust capital program, with a planned $29 billion in investments over the next 10 years. For more information, visit nyc.gov/dep, like us on Facebook, or follow us on X.

About the Partnership Fund for New York City

The Partnership Fund for New York City is the $130 million investment arm of the Partnership for New York City, dedicated to mobilizing private sector resources and expertise to advance New York City’s standing as a global center of economic opportunity, upward mobility, and innovation. The Fund invests in entrepreneurs and innovators in the for-profit and nonprofit sectors who contribute to building a more vibrant and inclusive New York City economy. As an “evergreen” fund, realized gains are continuously reinvested. A key focus of the Fund is the application of new technology that serves the public interest. 

The Partnership Fund Board is led by co-chairs Tarek Sherif and Neil Blumenthal. Maria Gotsch is the Fund’s President and CEO. More information about the Fund can be found at partnershipfundnyc.org.