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)— 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.
