Great Lakes Blue Tech Challenge

What is the Blue Tech Challenge?

The Great Lakes Blue Tech Challenge is a dynamic innovation competition led by Northwestern Michigan College and supported by national and regional partners. Its purpose: To inspire, support, and fast-track early-stage businesses that are developing technologies and solutions for issues impacting the Great Lakes basin.

Whether your idea centers on water quality, microplastics, PFAS, marine infrastructure, or other freshwater challenges — this competition offers a platform for you to bring it forward.

Why it matters

The Great Lakes are among the world’s most significant freshwater resources and face an array of complex pressures. This isn’t just about preserving natural beauty — it’s also about protecting livelihoods, ecosystems, and regional economies. The Blue Tech Challenge links innovators with resources, mentorship, and exposure to help them thrive and contribute.

For participants, the competition offers more than prize money: It’s an opportunity to join a growing innovation ecosystem anchored in northern Michigan, where developed technologies may even find a home in the Freshwater Research & Innovation Center.

Who can participate

The Challenge is open to motivated entrepreneurs, startups, early-career professionals, and even student-led ventures from across the United States and Canada. If you have a viable business solution related to freshwater challenges or systems, you’re eligible.

No matter the stage — from a concept to a working prototype — the competition welcomes bold ideas that aim to make a difference in freshwater science, technology, infrastructure, or sustainability. Find a complete list of focus areas for the 2026 Great Lakes Blue Tech Challenge here.

Key details

• Registration opens: January 19, 2026
• Prize opportunities: The top award includes $30,000 in seed funding. Second and third prizes are $15,000 and $10,000 respectively.
• What’s next: Semi-finalists advance to a pitch round; finalists will present at a major industry conference, gaining visibility and networking.
• Ecosystem linkage: The Challenge is closely tied to the development of the 40,000-square-foot innovation facility at the Freshwater Research & Innovation Center (FRIC) at Discovery Pier in Traverse City, Michigan — creating a pipeline of opportunity and space for growth.

What 2025 participants say

“Participating in the BlueTech Challenge was a key experience for Sequestro. The program — and the $10K award — directly supported establishing our lab operations and accelerated development of ArborSORB™. Just as importantly, the mentorship and community helped us sharpen our pitch and accelerate reaching our fundraising goals. We’re incredibly grateful for the opportunity and highly recommend the program to the next cohort of founders.” — Juergen Koller, Founder and CEO, Sequestro

“Our participation in the Blue Tech challenge exposed Meknology to a wide audience of technology and business supporters that continue to reach out to us, even months after the competition, to empower our efforts to protect aquaculture and drinking water here in the Great Lakes and beyond. And being a finalist in the competition has sent clear signals that we've keyed in on a realistic market need with an exciting strategy to truly build something impactful.” — Daniel Hodges, President, Meknology

“The Blue Tech Challenge was genuinely useful for Wave Lumina. It forced us to tighten our story, introduced us to credible Great Lakes partners, and increased inbound interest after the program. If you’re building real water tech, it’s an incredible program to participate in.” — Vernon LaLone, Founder and CEO, Wave Lumina

Why the Challenge matters for you

• For entrepreneurs: It’s a launchpad — you’ll receive mentorship, exposure, and potential for real seed funding.
• For researchers and innovators: You’ll plug into a network of water-technology specialists, labs, and the freshwater-innovation ecosystem.
• For the region: Your success becomes part of a broader story — innovation meeting conservation meeting economic development — in the heart of the Great Lakes.

Ready to apply?

If you’re working on a freshwater solution with ambition and heart, submit your pitch for consideration here to join a cohort of innovators who are re-imagining what’s possible for our lakes, rivers, and communities in the Great Lakes basin.