The RISE organization has announced the launch of the 2021 Coastal Community Resilience Challenge, a Flood-Resilience Startup Challenge aiming to support small businesses with innovative flood-resilience solutions. A total of $1.5 million will be awarded to businesses, with individual awards reaching up to $350,000 to help advance and pilot products and services in areas such as Flood Management & Infrastructure, Data Analytics, Protection of Buildings, and Re-establishing Critical Utilities. The winning teams will also gain access to resources from the RISE Resilience Innovation Hub & Testbed, including a business accelerator, co-working office, testing space, real-world pilot sites, and connections to regional municipalities and stakeholders. The application deadline is March 15, 2021.
Contact Information
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Paul Robinson
RISE Executive Director
(757) 258-0500
paulrobinson@riseresilience.org
Announcement of the 2021 Coastal Community Resilience Challenge
NORFOLK, Virginia – December 11, 2020: RISE today announced the launch of the 2021 Coastal Community Resilience Challenge. The Challenge will award a total of $1.5 million to small businesses with innovative flood-resilience solutions.
Details of the Challenge
Businesses can apply for up to $350,000 to advance and pilot cutting-edge products and services in the areas of Flood Management & Infrastructure, Data Analytics, Protection of Buildings and Re-establishing Critical Utilities. In addition to funding, winning teams will get access to resources from the RISE Resilience Innovation Hub & Testbed including a business accelerator, co-working office and testing space, real-world pilot sites, and introductions to regional municipalities and other stakeholders, among other benefits.
Goals and Vision
RISE will work with winning teams to pilot their approaches in a “living laboratory” environment across the Hampton Roads region in coastal Virginia, with the goal of building economically viable businesses and solutions that are scalable to other communities.
Expansion and Collaboration
New to this year’s Challenge, RISE is incentivizing new applicants to partner with 15 current finalists and winners of its three previous Challenges. The organization sees this as a way to build on the expertise and innovative solutions already under development and enable even greater advancements for coastal communities worldwide.
Testimonials and Innovations
“Gov. Northam’s recent announcement about new actions to improve coastal resilience in Virginia illustrates the continued need for solutions that help communities adapt to flooding,” said RISE Chief Strategy Officer, Katerina Oskarsson, Ph.D. “Since 2018, RISE has been a one-stop-shop for 27 resilience entrepreneurs and small businesses piloting their novel products. To date we’ve provided more than $4 million in funding and support, and we’re excited to expand our community of innovators with this new Challenge.”
Application Information
The Challenge application deadline is March 15, 2021. For more information on the 2021 Challenge, past winners and to sign up for Challenge webinars please visit www.riseresilience.org.
About RISE
About RISE
RISE accelerates innovation and business growth around solutions to coastal resilience challenges in the living laboratory of Hampton Roads, Virginia.
Question & Answer
What is the 2021 Coastal Community Resilience Challenge?
The 2021 Coastal Community Resilience Challenge is a Flood-Resilience Startup Challenge launched by the RISE organization to support small businesses with innovative flood-resilience solutions.
How much funding will be awarded to businesses participating in the Challenge?
A total of $1.5 million will be awarded to businesses participating in the Challenge, with individual awards reaching up to $350,000.
What are the areas in which businesses can pilot products and services as part of the Challenge?
Businesses can pilot products and services in areas such as Flood Management & Infrastructure, Data Analytics, Protection of Buildings, and Re-establishing Critical Utilities.
What resources will winning teams gain access to from the RISE Resilience Innovation Hub & Testbed?
Winning teams will gain access to resources such as a business accelerator, co-working office, testing space, real-world pilot sites, and connections to regional municipalities and stakeholders.
