BioForward is the winner of the 2019 Spanish edition of ClimateLaunchpad, the largest eco-ideas competition in the world. The team, led by Dr. Juan Manuel Ortiz and composed of IMDEA Agua researchers, has conquered the jury with its biotechnology-based water desalination solution with low energy consumption.

A total of nine teams from all over Spain has participated in this ideas contest whose national final was held Tuesday in Valencia, organized by the Valencia Association of Energy Companies (AVAESEN).

The BioForward team is made up of Juan Manuel Ortiz, Junkal Landaburu, Abraham Esteve, Marina Ramírez, Colin Wardman and Belén Barroeta.

BioForward and the second finalist, Oscillum, will represent Spain in the world final next November in Amsterdam, where they will share space with teams from 50 other countries and their solutions to combat the climate change.

The awards have been presented by the General Director of Industry and Energy of the Generalitat Valenciana, Empar Martínez, together with the Vice Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Transfer of the UPV, José Millet; to María Olleros, of Andersen Tax & Legal and the president of AVAESEN, Marcos J. Lacruz.

Low cost desalination

The shortage of fresh water is one of the main challenges for societies around the world, as it is estimated that more than 700 million people worldwide do not have access to it. BioForward and its solution would allow the possibility of producing fresh water at low cost for human consumption or use of irrigation without energy demand, since sunlight is used to produce it.

ClimateLaunchpad, which is being held in Spain for the sixth year, is the end of a selection and training process through which almost fifty teams have passed, in search of the best ideas to combat the climate change.

In the world final in Amsterdam they can choose to win a prize of 10,000 euros and compete with other entrepreneurs from 50 countries on all continents.

Photo credit: Avaesen