Program 2021

Next Generation Water Action 2021 resulted in our grande finals, which were split into a fully virtual semifinal for the Young Academics Track, and the grande Multihub Final which took place in 5 countries simultaneously.

90+ students

5 challenges

6 nationalities

22 solutions

Academic Track

Our Young Academics Track connects more than 90 university students from leading technical universities.

In 2021, students from Denmark, Kenya, Ghana, Mexico, South Korea, and India joined forces to build the water solutions of the future. Working in 21 teams on solving 5 real-life challenges, we equipped the international students with the network, partnerships and tools to develop and showcase their sustainable water solutions. 

Entrepreneurial Track

Our Young Entrepreneurs track creates the platform for 10 selected water startups to connect and develop their startups.

In 2021, teams from Ghana, Kenya, Denmark, and India joined the Young Entrepreneurs Track, which supports the startups strategically in their journey. Not only do startups get access to the network that can boost their solution and business, they also train how to get the most value possible out of the network, finding the mutual benefit, and getting strong on pitching their water solutions.  

10 startups

2,5 months

60 years of experience

5 nationalities

Buildt on strong collaborations

Next Generation Water Action is made possible through strong partnerships between universities, innovation centres, global corporations and governments around the world. The main sponsors of 2021 were:

Multihub Finals 2021

Next Generation Water Action 2021 was topped off by providing a global stage for our future water leaders – virtually across the globe and physically with local events taking place in our 5 partner countries simultaneously.

20 selected student and startup teams pitched their solution to a jury panel of global decision makers whilst inviting the international audience to connect with them by providing sparring and mentorship!

Be inspired by the bold ideas and find out who the winners are by watching the multihub final here and download the overview of all winning teams here!

Semifinals 2021

During 2 days and 5 semifinals, 25 judges were given the difficult task to select the Top 10 Finalists from a total of 21 pitches from the Young Academics Track’s student teams. The finalist teams were then invited to pitch their solution live to a panel of global decision makers at our grande Multihub Final!

Curios to see all 21 semifinals pitches? Watch them here!

Get in touch with the 2021 team

We are looking forward to hearing from you!

Marie L. Pollmann-Larsen

Marie is the Project Manager behind the Next Generation Project. She has worked on multiple youth initiatives that target sustainable innovation and has brought a global perspective into the project’s core identity.

Phone: +45 61 65 56 69
E-mail: mlml@DTU.dk 

Levke Ubben

An entrepreneurial soul with a deep passion for ensuring the voice of the youth. She makes a change by coordinating the activities in Next Generation Water Action. She also leads the Young Academics Track.

Phone: +45 52 81 69 04
E-mail: levkub@DTU.dk

Natasja Bjørklund

Equal parts innovator and geek sprinkled with a bit of project management power. Aiming to bring the Young Entrepreneurs Track to its’ highest potential, she pushes entrepreneurship in the global context of Water Action.

Juan Pablo Quintana Figueroa

Juan Pablo is the key figure behind our virtual community.
He does so by being a super-user in Teams and Discord and coming up with creative ideas on how to strengthen the feeling of togetherness in a virtual setting.

Andreas Stadsvold Christensen

Being a great communicator, a graphical wizard, a professional photographer, and serving great attention to detail, he is the one hiding behind most of the external Next Generation communications.

Phone: +45 30 23 50 91
E-mail: anstad@DTU.dk

Jonas Wied Pedersen

With his Ph.D. within Urban Water Systems, he brings vital water expertise to the team – being a specialized generalist within the water field. He is the perfect sparring partner for our Young Academics and Entrepreneurs!

E-mail: jowi@env.DTU.dk