Explore the five real-world challenges proposed by HiSeedTech’s member companies for HiTech 2026 - an opportunity for research teams to apply their deep-tech expertise in collaboration with industry.

HiTech 2026 offers research teams an exciting opportunity to work on real-world industry challenges through the Market Pull Track. Proposed by HiSeedTech's member companies, these challenges address critical industry needs, enabling teams to apply their deep tech expertise in impactful, market-aligned ways.

By taking part in this track, research teams collaborate directly with companies seeking innovative, research-based solutions that respond to genuine market demands.

HiTech 2026: Market Pull Track Challenges

Five deep-tech challenges have been proposed by INDAQUA, Quantum Leap, Sogrape, Sonae Arauco and Triangle's Cycling Equipments for HiTech 2026. Each challenge aligns with a specific industry goal, giving teams a focused pathway to apply their research and deliver tangible solutions.

1. Sewersphere - Smart condition inspection of sewers

• HiSeedTech member company: INDAQUA
  
• Goal: Design a cost-effective sensorisation solution for wastewater networks condition assessment.
  
• Background: As wastewater utilities struggle with ageing infrastructure and environmental compliance, technology for early warning of wastewater networks operation disturbances and prioritisation of CAPEX renovation needs is key to its corporate sustainability.
  
• Requirements: The solution shall enable the smart inspection of wastewater pipelines infrastructural and operating conditions through an autonomous floating device able to generate the following outputs: collect wastewater quality data (temperature, pH, conductivity), flow velocity and regime, 3D mapping of pipe's internal geometry; real-time monitoring in underground environments; network condition reports finding deformations, cracks and blockages, based on analysis and 3D reconstruction algorithms.
• Keywords: Sensorisation, Wastewater, Smart Inspection, 3D Mapping, Infrastructure Monitoring
• Solve this challenge: Apply here

2. Energy Harvesting for Ultra-low power IoT

• HiSeedTech member company: Quantum Leap (sponsored by Inventa)
• Goal: Enable RF and indoor light energy harvesting to recharge ultra-low-power devices.
• Background: One of the biggest challenges for high-scale IoT sensor deployments has always been fleet battery charging management. Self-powered mechanisms are critical to move forward those applications at scale in a cost-effective way.
• Requirements: The storage system must be scalable mainly for industrial use; must store energy from RF (harvesting), solar, indoor/outdoor light; aim for at least two years of enough storage without the need for manual recharging; must be integrated in (very) small form factor IoT devices; and it must have a lifespan of at least 5 years with minimal maintenance.
• Keywords: Energy Harvesting, IoT, RF Power, Micro Energy Storage, Self-Powered Devices
• Solve this challenge: Apply here

3. Predictive models for grape oenological potential

• HiSeedTech member company: Sogrape
• Goal: Develop predictive models to estimate and anticipate grape oenological potential before harvest.
• Background: Optimising harvest timing and winery decisions requires the early estimation of grape quality. Predictive models can integrate vineyard, laboratory and climate data to anticipate oenological potential and improve wine consistency and quality.
• Requirements: The solution must integrate historical vineyard data, phenological indicators, laboratory analyses and agroclimatic variables. It should apply data science and predictive analytics to estimate sugar, acidity, phenolics and aroma compounds, supporting harvest and winery decisions. Acceptability criteria for accuracy, error and confidence intervals must be defined at the beginning of the project.
• Keywords: Predictive Modelling, Data Science, Viticulture, Oenological Potential, Phenolic Compounds, Agroclimatic Data, Machine Learning, Harvest Optimisation, Wine Quality, Precision Agriculture
• Solve this challenge: Apply here

4. Improve pigmentation in wood fibers & particles

• HiSeedTech member company: Sonae Arauco
• Goal: Improve the intensity of colour in wood fibre and particle pigmentation using sustainable chemistry.
• Background: The company needs to use chemicals that are environmentally friendly. The focus is on pigmentation with black colour. Sonae Arauco intends to improve the intensity of the fiber pigmentation currently in use and to find a solution to pigment wood particles.
• Requirements: The solution needs to use chemicals compliant with REACH and other relevant restrictions. It must be affordable, have a shelf life of at least nine months when stored in IBC, and improve the current colour intensity in fiber pigmentation that the company already uses to produce black MDF. The solution must also enable the pigmentation of wood particles, preventing that, when cutting the board, the inside of the particles remains “wood colour”.
• Keywords: Pigmentation, Sustainable Chemistry, MDF, Wood Fibers, Surface Treatment
• Solve this challenge: Apply here

5. Surface Finishing for Aluminium Frames

• HiSeedTech member company: Triangle's Cycling Equipments (a company of the Semapa portfolio).
• Goal: Achieving a uniform surface on welded aluminum frames before painting necessitates a critical surface finishing step for the welded joints.
• Background: Currently, this process relies on manual putty application, a method that is labor-intensive, requires specialized skills, extends production cycle times, and often yields inconsistent results. We are seeking innovative solutions to enhance the efficiency and consistency of this crucial finishing stage. This could involve optimising our existing putty-based process or exploring alternative materials and techniques that streamline and accelerate the work.
• Requirements: The solution should be compatible with different aluminium frame geometries and maintain a similar cycle time to the current process (approx. 5–6 minutes), or clearly improve efficiency and consistency. It may optimise the current putty-based method or introduce alternative materials or finishing techniques, as long as it ensures a smooth, uniform surface suitable for painting.
• Keywords: Automation, Robotics, Aluminium Frames, Putty Application, Quality Control
• Solve this challenge: Apply here

Achieving a uniform surface on welded aluminum frames before painting necessitates a critical surface finishing step for the welded joints.

A Launchpad for Real-World Impact!

By joining HiTech 2026, research teams gain commercialisation skills, connect with industry leaders, and learn how to navigate the path from lab to market. Whether addressing a specific industrial problem or developing their own technology, teams benefit from training, mentoring, and hands-on support throughout the programme.

To learn more before applying, join one of our online or on-site information sessions - find the full calendar and registration details here.

Applications are open until 6 February 2026. Apply here!