GRAVITY 08

AquaWatch-AUK Edition

LAUNCHING ON 11 JULY 2025

Harnessing ground-to-space monitoring to tackle the most pressing water quality issues.

Will you take on the challenge?

GRAVITY Challenge

Deloitte’s global Space innovation program connecting real world problems with the people who can solve them.

Since 2019, we’ve brought together industry leaders from public and private organisations, data & technology enablers, and innovators to tackle the world’s most pressing economic, social and environmental problems using the best of today’s space-enabled data and technology.

A Special GRAVITY Round

  • This round focuses on leveraging the power of ground-to-space monitoring capabilities, such as the AquaWatch System, and the international collaboration made possible by the Bilateral Partnership between the UK and Australia through AquaWatch-AUK to solve a range of water quality issues in both nations.

  • Droughts, algal blooms, sediment plumes, and invisible pollutants are no longer future threats, they’re present-day disruptors. Whether it’s the water we drink, the crops we grow, the seafood we eat, or the rivers we swim in, water quality touches every part of our lives and economy.

    And the pressure is rising. Climate extremes, outdated infrastructure, industrial pollution, and land use change are stretching water systems past their limits.

    Poor water quality is already costing us: in lost agricultural yield, fish kills, treatment costs, product recalls, and environmental damage.

AquaWatch-AUK Edition

Are you a start-up, scale-up, high-growth business or university using space capabilities?

GRAVITY 08 Challenges

Our Challenge Providers need your help designing solutions to their water quality monitoring Challenges.

Read more about their challenge scope below.

UK Challenge Provider

Beyond the Bucket:

Reimagining Environmental Sampling from Space

Develop a scalable model that accurately classifies and predicts chlorophyll-a concentrations in diverse inland and coastal water bodies using EO, in-situ, and historical datasets.

  • This challenge aims to transform how chlorophyll-a, a key ecological indicator, is monitored across a wide variety of inland and coastal water bodies. Currently dependent on sparse, single-point field manual monthly sampling, the solution should integrate EO-derived parameters (e.g. chlorophyll, temperature from AquaWatch), historic sampling datasets, and sensor inputs to enable model-driven classification and forecasting. Innovators are expected to focus on enhancing spatial and temporal coverage particularly during the growing season when algal bloom activity peaks. The proposed methodology should be tested across a representative subset of large, socially significant water bodies and demonstrate alignment with regulatory reporting standards. The goal is to transition field sampling into a validation tool and enable broader, more efficient ecological status reporting under a regulatory framework. While visualisation tools aren’t required, reproducibility, transparency, and Azure compatibility are desirable.

  • Must-Have:

    • Chlorophyll-a

    • Temperature

    • Historical bloom patterns

    Nice to have:

    • Phytoplankton abundance

    • Phytoplankton Functional Types (PFT)

    • Cyanobacteria / Blue-green algae

    • Total cell counts

    • Biovolume

    • Water transparency (e.g. Secchi Disk)

    • Turbidity

    • Vertical attenuation/Kd

    • Total Suspended Matter

    • Dissolved Oxygen

    • Water Surface Temperature

    • Water Column Depth (Bathymetry)

Australian Challenge Provider

Build an integrated system to trace, model, and predict water quality degradation and algal bloom risks in a major bay by tracking storm-driven nutrient and sediment load pathways from catchments to the coast using EO and in-situ data.

From Catchment to Coast:

Tracking Pollutant Pathways & Water Quality Impact

  • This challenge seeks an integrated, data-driven system that maps how sediment and nutrient loads, particularly during major rainfall events, move from rivers and urban catchments into a large coastal bay. Innovators must integrate EO datasets with in-situ monitoring and predictive analytics to identify pollution sources, model load dynamics, and forecast bloom onset and severity. Solutions should be tailored for summer and La Niña conditions, when storm events and bloom risk are highest. Key outputs include early warnings, bloom classification (including toxicity risk), and traceability to contributing catchments or discharge points. The solution must be operable across existing monitoring networks, with potential for integration into current systems. The preferred pilot window is late spring to early autumn, aligning with peak bloom periods.

  • Must-Have:

    • Nutrients

    • Sediments

    • Chlorophyll-a (toxicity)

    Nice to have:

    • Phycocyanin (cyanobacteria proxy)

    • Total Phosphorus

    • Total Inorganic Nitrogen (e.g. Nitrate-N)

    • Algal toxins

    • Dissolved Oxygen

    • Turbidity

    • Total Suspended Matter

    • Temperature

    • Pathogens

    • Organic micro-pollutants

    • Water surface height

    • Microplastics *

    • Salinity / Conductivity

    • Floating and submerged vegetation

Innovator

Journey

  • Context

    We collaborated with progressive organisations to identify genuine water quality monitoring issues, where ground-to-space monitoring could be part of the solution. These Challenge Statements are now available on the GRAVITY Website.

    Official Challenge Provider organisations will be announced on 11 July 2025

  • Step 1: Apply

    After reading through the Challenge Statements, interested Innovators must form a team of at least 3 members and apply to work with the Challenge Provider organisation they believe their skills most align to and/or which challenge interests them the most.

  • Step 2: Innovate

    Successful Innovator Teams move onto the next phase where they gain access to our exclusive Innovator Platform and begin working 1:1 with their Challenge Provider to develop their solution.

    Teams will be given access to Challenge Briefs, Explainer videos, mentorship from GRAVITY’s Data & Technology Enablers, scientists, and subject matter experts.

  • Step 3: Pitch & Propose

    It’s time to share your hard work!

    Innovator teams deliver a live pitch and business proposal outlining the solution that’s been designed and the roadmap to implementation.

  • Step 4: Scale

    The winning teams or “Challenge Champions” will be announced at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) 2025 held in Sydney. After which, Champions begin planning with their Challenge Provider on how they can activate the pilot of their proposed solution.

Innovator

Benefits

  • Direct contact with Corporate and Public Sector businesses with real use cases and real end-customers.

  • Mentorship and support from Deloitte’s GRAVITY Challenge team, Data & Technology Enablers, and venture building experts.

  • Privileged access to over 20 years of historic, and current satellite data from the program’s Data & Technology Enablers.

  • Full IP ownership of the solution developed during the program.

  • Guidance from Deloitte’s GRAVITY Challenge team during the scale phase to support the pilot of solutions, if selected as the “Challenge Champion” (winning team).

Join an exclusive cohort of global talent in one of the world’s fastest growing industries.

Our GRAVITY Challenge Alumni

  • Gareck Packer - Founder & Solution Architect, GP One Consulting

    Champions for the Deloitte Canada Challenge | GC05

    “The knowledge we have gained and the product and service offerings we have developed as part of the proof of concept phase was profound, with weekly conversations prompting us to evolve our thinking and approach over time.”

  • Julika Voß - Marine Scientist, SpaceWhale

    Champions for the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Challenge | GC04

    “Whales are amazing and they also play an important role in carbon cycles. Their conservation is part of nature based solutions to the carbon crisis. Therefore it's not only fun to study these animals but important. We’re absolutely excited about the pilot study, it has the potential to lift marine conversation to another spatial scale.”

  • Prateek Srivastava - Co-Founder, Terraview

    Champions for the Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) Challenge | GC05

    “It's been a revelation for us that a large producer is so open to technology innovation. Usually in the Agri space there is always conflict about tradition versus what technology can bring. I think the challenge was able to bring the best of both worlds together to overcome the problems that food producers will face for the next decades.”

  • Gaetano Volpe - CEO, Latitudo 40

    Finalists for the Deloitte Canada Challenge | GC05

    “During the program, we learned so much. Not only technological and business concepts but we also had the opportunity to learn strategical and operational vision from our Challenge owner and technological partners - mainly Spire and AWS.“

  • Anneley Hadland - Head of Remote Sensing, Helyx

    Champions for the Saber Astronautics Challenge | GC05

    “The most rewarding part of the challenge for us is being welcomed into the fold of space domain awareness. To be invited to the international space traffic management trials and to be developing a prototype that will be tested at the next one.”

  • Torsten Bondo - Business Development Manager, DHI Group

    Champions for the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) Challenge | GC05

    “We have learned quite a lot since participating in GRAVITY, mostly through this continuous dialogue - a series of meetings have been set up and we had the chance to work with the right people throughout this period.”

  • Gareth Harris - GIS Consultant, Helyx

    Finalists for the NSW Treasury Challenge | GC05

    “The GRAVITY Challenge for Helyx was quite a natural choice because Helyx prides itself in its innovative solutions. Therefore, going to a GRAVITY Challenge where we can really push ourselves and have new problem sets where we can adapt new solutions to is really at the forefront of our missions.”

  • Alex Coville - Sales Executive, PlanetWatchers

    Champions for the Serasa Experian Challenge | GC05

    “It’s been fascinating to learn the nuances of growing food in Brazil compared to the US. Up until this point, we’ve been very specific about our ideal customer profile - crop insurers in the United States. Through GRAVITY, we got exposure to further financial use cases where our existing technology can be modified to solve new business challenges.”

  • Lucy Kennedy - CEO, Spottitt

    Champions for the DIT Challenge | GC04

    “It's always exciting to see the breadth and depth of applications space, in particular earth observation, has in the world around us. If there's a challenge GRAVITY is offering on your roadmap for development, or you're curious go for it. You’ll get lots of support and work with solution providers who are really interested in helping you succeed to help with their issues.”

  • Bosco Lai - CEO & Co-Founder, Little Place Labs

    Champions for the NatWest Challenge | GC04

    “GRAVITY Challenge is an excellent opportunity to work with leaders like Deloitte and NatWest, who have already built a strong foundation of knowledge and commitment to fighting climate change. Over the last few months, we have gathered many insights to see a much more complete and holistic picture, and we bring in value by showing the power of space analytics. This is true proof that innovation doesn't happen in silos, but through collaboration.”

  • David Carter - CEO, Deep Planet

    Finalists for the Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) Challenge | GC05

    “We joined the GRAVITY Challenge as it was an immense opportunity to collaborate with leaders in the industry and come up with impactful solutions that could really change the way things are done around irrigation and sustainability in the wine sector.”

  • Dr. Bo Du - Leader of Future Transport & Mobility, UoW SMART Infrastructure Facility

    Champions for the NSW Treasury Challenge | GC05

    “The most rewarding and important part in this journey was the efficient and effective collaboration and communication, not just within the team but also with all the stakeholders.”

  • Dr Moira Smith - Chief Technology Officer, DCAT

    Champions for the DIT Challenge | GC04

    “The most rewarding part has been working with the team at DIT, innovating, forming a great proposal to solve the problem with and for them. We've learned a lot about the clients needs and what we, as a team, can bring to solve client problems at the right price point.”

  • Dmitry Selivanov - CEO & Founder, Rexy.ai

    Finalists for the Mitsui Challenge | GC04

    “The major challenge for start-ups is finding product market fit. This is especially the case in space tech. It can take months to get an invitation from potential customers. GRAVITY provides direct exposure to the companies that have problems, and are willing to explore innovative solutions. If you're an early stage company thinking about joining the next challenge, go for it.”

  • Jawwad Hasan - CEO & Co-Founder, Agrilift

    Finalists for the Serasa Experian Challenge | GC05

    “The most rewarding aspect was navigating through some of the problems that we faced during the project and seeing the dedication of the team as they went above and beyond to find solutions and collaborate, as the overall success was dependent on each individual component.”

  • Phil McLachlan - CEO, DCAT

    Champions for the NatWest Challenge | GC04

    “We enjoyed the interaction with the NatWest Group team. Understanding their needs and the constraints that sit around that, as well as the commercial elements to making a service work has been really valuable. GRAVITY has reinforced our view that more and more enterprises are beginning to realise the opportunities satellite data can provide their business. It's reinforced our view of where this industry is going.”

  • Alexis Moyer - Head of ESG & Spatial Finance, Space Intelligence

    Finalists for the NatWest Challenge | GC04

    “We've found it rewarding to work directly with, and collaborate with NatWest. The challenge has given us a good basis for our solution, based first and foremost on the market need. We’ve really gotten insight into what the market needs in terms of provided solutions and the systems NatWest uses in-house in terms of ESG reporting. It’s been a rewarding and worthwhile experience for us.”

APPLY AS AN INNOVATOR