A Catalyst for
Better, Cleaner Water
What did we accomplish this year? Read our 2025 Impact Report.
Where Innovation Flows
Our mission is to grow a circular blue economy, accelerate water innovation, and solve pressing water challenges.
Since our founding in 2016 by leaders in economic development, utilities, research, and industry, we have built a strong foundation for driving the commercialization of water technologies and developing education and workforce pathways for blue jobs.
Our Impact
110+ Startups engaged
15 SOLUTIONS PILOTED
1,800+ Students engaged in water-focused activities
$76.4M FUNDING SECURED OR LEVERAGED
Our Impact
110+ Startups engaged
15 SOLUTIONS PILOTED
1,800+ Students engaged in water-focused activities
$76.4M FUNDING SECURED OR LEVERAGED
110+ Startups engaged
15 SOLUTIONS PILOTED
1,800+ Students engaged in water-focused activities
$76.4M FUNDING SECURED OR LEVERAGED
110+ Startups engaged
15 SOLUTIONS PILOTED
1,800+ Students engaged in water-focused activities
$76.4M FUNDING SECURED OR LEVERAGED
Our Actions
By 2030, Illinois will be home to a thriving and circular blue economy where water companies, corporate water users, utilities, and researchers collaborate to develop, manufacture, and distribute nation-leading treatment and monitoring technology. Here are two of our biggest wins.
Current-led partnership wins $160 million federal grant
Turning Waste Into Wealth
The National Science Foundation has awarded Great Lakes ReNEW a $160 million regional innovation engine. Our mission: To invent new ways to extract valuable minerals and toxic forever chemicals from our wastewater.
H2NOW Wins the Chicago Innovation Award
First real-time monitoring tool for river water quality
During warm months, sensing probes, installed in the Chicago and Calumet rivers, estimate fecal coliform levels every 15 minutes. The data is continuously published on the H2NOW Chicago Water Monitoring website or via a QR code. Kayakers and other river users now have the most up-to-date information about water conditions.
