Pitchfest: Water Innovation
About this Event
What is Pitchfest: Water Innovation?
Pitchfest: Water Innovation is part of a series of hosted exchanges by Pilot City designed to introduce public agencies to local experts who can help identify more effective and evidence-based programs and policies. Pitchfest: Water Innovation is co-hosted by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the country’s largest wholesale water provider with a mission to provide its service area with adequate and reliable supplies of high-quality water to meet present and future needs in an environmentally and economically responsible way.
On Oct. 20, 2026, public water agency staff are invited to give low-stakes, two-minute pitches on short-term, high-impact projects that could benefit from external expert support. Following the event, the Pitchfest team will match agencies with Southern California university faculty based on mutual interest and expertise.
The event is designed to connect water agencies with university faculty to collaborate on applied research projects. Up to $100k in funding is available to support projects through an inaugural innovation fund. Matched faculty may work with their agency partners to apply for up to $25k in potential funding per project to support their shared project vision. In addition, Metropolitan and other participating water agencies may have additional funding available for technology pilots, applied research, and other studies.
What is the history of the Pitchfest?
U.S. cities are home to some of the world’s top research universities, but public agencies often do not have an easy way of tapping into that expertise. The Pitchfest aims to close that gap.
Pilot City has been supporting local partners in co-hosting versions of the Pitchfest since 2024. More than 50 public agencies and more than 500 local experts have participated.
Metropolitan is comprised of 26 member public water agencies—cities, municipal water districts and one county water authority—that then deliver supplies directly or indirectly to nearly 19 million people in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Ventura counties. By partnering with Pilot City, Metropolitan can advance its mission of meeting present and future water needs by surfacing opportunities for collaboration with university faculty.
How can I participate in the Pitchfest?
Register to secure your spot and attend Pitchfest: Water Innovation. The event is free and open to water agency staff and university faculty in Southern California. The event will be held from 8:30-11:30 on Oct. 20 at Metropolitan’s Union Station Headquarters located at 700 North Alameda Street, Los Angeles. An agenda and list of agency pitches will be published by Oct. 9.
Water Agency Staff
If you are a staff member at a public water agency in Southern California who would like to pitch a project, submit your idea using the one-slide template here via email to [email protected] by Sept. 25. You will receive confirmation by Oct. 9 that your pitch will be presented during the event.
Please consult the template for examples of effective pitches. It is okay if your project is just in the idea phase: This is a bottom-up process intended to encourage staff to share in a low-risk environment. Pitching does not commit you to following through on the project.
University Faculty
Faculty at universities based in Southern California are encouraged to attend the event and explore collaborative opportunities with participating water agencies. Following the event, we will circulate an interest form where you can specify projects that align with your expertise and describe your relevant research background. Submissions will be reviewed by agency staff, who will initiate contact if there is a mutual interest in collaboration.
Once a match is made, faculty may work with their agency partners to apply for up to $25k in potential funding per project to support their shared project vision. For more information on how funding decisions are made, see the section below.
What types of projects are in-scope?
Projects are intended to support current or future water agency programs, policies, or operations. Projects can take many forms, but all must demonstrate meaningful outcomes within a six-month time frame. Below are project categories:
Evidence & Evaluation
Amass evidence and develop an evaluation methodology for current interventions. These projects involve defining success metrics, conducting impact analyses (e.g., randomized controlled trials), and translating findings into actionable recommendations.
Experimentation & Discovery
Conduct experiments and generate insights for potential future agency interventions. These projects prioritize learning-by-doing, and they de-risk agency innovation efforts by generating insights on which interventions work and under what conditions.
Digital Tool Design & Prototyping
Build and prototype new tools, interfaces, or other digital assets that improve how agencies deliver services and/or support residents. These projects emphasize user-centered design and creation of tangible products that can be tested and scaled.
Data Analysis & Visualization
Process, analyze, and model data to inform agency decisions. These projects leverage advanced analytics and/or artificial intelligence to identify patterns, forecast outcomes, and translate data into clear insights that support agency strategy and operations.
Process & Workflow Improvement
Optimize internal processes to improve agency efficiency or effectiveness. These projects identify bottlenecks, redesign workflows, and/or pilot new processes that enable agencies to work more effectively, often with measurable improvements in time, cost, or quality.
How does matchmaking work?
See our webpage here for a visual that explains this process in more detail.
How are funding decisions made?
Funding decisions will be made by a judging panel at the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Funding applications are submitted jointly by an agency staff member and a university faculty member.
Each application is evaluated based on the degree to which it aligns with the following criteria:
- Strategic Alignment: Does it support the core regional water planning goals defined by CAMP4W, Met’s Integrated Resource Plan, etc.?
- Impact Potential: Will it significantly enhance efficiency, cost savings, or service delivery?
- Feasibility: Can it be implemented quickly with available resources, particularly staff time, for the critical deployment path?
What if I have more questions?
If you still have questions about Pitchfest: Water Innovation, please contact us at [email protected]. More information about the Pilot City program and its Pitchfest events can be found on Pilot City’s home page here.
Agenda
🕑: 08:30 AM - 09:00 AM
Coffee & Networking
🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:15 AM
Pitchfest Overview
Info: Hear a quick summary of the event's goals, regional needs, and the protocol for matchmaking agency needs with university faculty.
🕑: 09:15 AM - 10:30 AM
Agency Pitches
Info: Hear water agency staff pitch their project ideas to university faculty for two minutes each.
🕑: 10:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Path Ahead
Info: Hear an overview of the online interest form, project vetting process, and research effort goals.
🕑: 10:45 AM - 11:30 AM
Structured Networking
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 0.00
