Calling2Scale: Flood Resilience & Response Challenge
A challenge-based programme supporting advanced European & Israeli startups in scaling solutions for flood risk reduction and emergency response through global partnerships, expert mentoring, and new market opportunities.
Floods events are a growing threat to lives, infrastructure, and ecosystems across Europe. Traditional responses are no longer enough. Tech solutions like AI forecasting and smart communication tools are key to improving how we predict, respond to, and recover from flood disasters.
Driving Real-World
Impact Through Flood Management Challenges
Driving Real-World
Impact Through Flood Management Challenges
Calling2Scale Floods is a challenge-based scaling programme for European & Israeli startups offering innovative solutions in flood prediction, emergency or crisis response, and resilience planning. Over a dynamic 2-month hybrid bootcamp, startups will work closely with the German waterboard Emschergenossenschaft (EG) and its network to tackle critical real-world challenges in the field.
The programme offers tailored mentorship, strategic collaboration opportunities, and global best practices, helping startups shape and refine their value proposition, access new markets, and accelerate commercial growth.
It’s your call to scale where innovation meets urgent need
This Programme is Co-Led by
EG is a joint entity formed in partnership with Lippeverband (LV), together comprising the EGLV water management association. Operating in the densely populated Ruhr region, EG oversees the Emscher River catchment, a tributary of the Rhine, along with its tributaries. It is responsible for managing 164 surface water pumping stations, 147 bridges, 22 retention basins, 117 km of dykes, 384 km of sewer networks, and five large wastewater treatment plants. One of EG’s main tasks is flood forecasting and management. In response to the devastating floods of 2021, EG implemented the Flood Roadmap Crisis in 2022 to improve extreme flood event management. EG is actively engaged in various innovative EU projects and initiatives in flood risk management, including close coordination with LV on AI-driven flood forecasting, enhancing early warning systems, and testing the implementation of web-based high-performance 2D hydraulic modelling.
Ecosystem Partners
The Challenges
Under conditions of uncertainty in forecasts, especially during extreme weather events like floods, decision-making processes can be challenged by slower information dissemination, coordination difficulties, and limited clarity, which may affect the efficiency of emergency responses. A key pain point lies in the limited ability to rapidly interpret and act on complex forecast data in a more localised and timely manner. Enhancing the clarity and timeliness of flood forecasts through the robust evaluation and communication of uncertainty inherent in ensemble flood forecasts can substantially improve situational awareness and bolster confidence in decision-making. This will allow EG, authorities, and communities to respond more decisively and quickly, bridging critical gaps in communication and preparedness.
From a technical perspective, addressing ensemble forecast uncertainty and enhancing localised information capabilities is expected to yield improved forecasting tools that not only enhance the anticipation of flood events and their impacts, but also support the timely and context-specific triggering of alerts that explicitly account for uncertainty. In a broader context, these advancements will contribute to the development of a better-prepared and more adaptive disaster management framework to protect lives and reduce damage during flood emergencies.
How can decision-making processes be enhanced under conditions of uncertainty, and how can more timely and localized triggering of alerts be established to enable and support effective and coordinated operational responses across agencies?
Relevant Technologies:
- Ensemble forecast uncertainty analysis tools - Technologies that support the assessment of ensemble forecast uncertainty to improve the accuracy and timeliness of warning decisions. Solutions should align with local needs and build on existing ensemble data, including official forecasts from the German Weather Service. The methodology must be rigorous, incorporating past forecast performance to evaluate reliability or error rates, and should be accompanied by intuitive, decision-oriented visualisations.
- AI-powered spatial data analysis - Solutions that analyse large-scale, operational spatio-temporal datasets from sensors and flood hazard models to generate highly localised and precise flood warnings.
- AI-generated action recommendations - Tools that provide actionable guidance based on localised flood warnings, supported by Large Language Models (LLMs). These systems can offer interactive explanations to help users understand the rationale behind suggested emergency responses.
- Enhanced flood forecasting platform - Upgrades to EG’s existing information system to integrate ensemble forecast uncertainty assessments and localised alert capabilities. The platform should feature intuitive visualisations, interoperable data exchange, and analytical tools tailored for experts, decision-makers, and responders. It must ensure top-level IT security and be accessible via both desktop and mobile devices for operational flexibility.
- Real-time data integration from external sources - Technologies that ingest and harmonise data from weather services, satellite feeds, social media reports, and on-the-ground sensors to enrich situational awareness and refine forecasts.
- Edge computing for faster decision-making - Systems that process flood data locally (e.g., at sensor or municipal levels) to reduce latency and enable rapid, location-specific alerts without reliance on central servers.
- Human-in-the-loop decision systems - Interfaces or platforms that combine machine-generated recommendations with expert judgment, allowing decision-makers to adjust thresholds or scenarios based on local knowledge.
- Training simulations and decision rehearsal tools - Software that helps authorities simulate extreme weather scenarios using real data, to improve preparedness and build confidence in using new decision-support technologies.
During previous flood events, the dissemination of information and warnings was often severely delayed. For example, the floods in Europe (07/2021) and Spain (10/2024) demonstrated the importance of immediate information, and rapid actions, and clear evacuation orders to prevent casualties.
As a German waterboard, EG is not responsible for warning and evacuating the population. This lies with the communes and counties. However, we do provide internal information to external authorities, including weather and water level prognosis for the area we manage.
How can we prepare and conduct the dissemination of information to both authorities and the public during an emergency or crisis, ensuring we reach as many people as possible and promptly, while maintaining clarity and barrier-free accessibility?
Relevant Technologies:
- Web-based platforms – User-friendly websites that serve as central hubs for flood updates.
- Social media and messenger services – Tools that leverage existing platforms for wide and fast distribution.
- IoT-based alerts – Sensors and connected devices that trigger localised or automated warnings.
- AI-powered messaging tools – Systems that can automatically generate and adjust emergency messages using artificial intelligence, depending on the situation and location.
- Large Language Models (LLMs) – Like ChatGPT or similar tools, used to create understandable, translated, and accessible messages for diverse populations.
- Accessibility-focused interfaces – Tech that makes sure alerts are clear and usable for people with disabilities, different languages, or limited tech access.
- Multi-channel alert systems – Platforms that send alerts via SMS, apps, social media, public loudspeakers, etc., to increase the chance people receive them.
- Decentralised or mesh communication networks – Systems that don’t rely on one central network and can still function if part of the infrastructure is down (e.g., after a storm)
Key Statistics
Global and European Impact of Flooding
of all weather-related disaster events worldwide are associated with flood disasters. Observations show a rise in record-breaking rains and flood events in Europe and worldwide as the planet warms.
increase in flood events globally since 2000. This means more communities are facing dangerous floods year after year.
people died in 2022 alone from flood disasters and around 57 million people were affected within 80 countries.
people, today and nearly one quarter of the world’s population, are directly exposed to significant flood risk
are estimated in Europe’s costs: The devastating July 2021 floods, in Europe causes this amount in damages in Germany alone— entire communities, roads, and utilities were wiped out
Europeans exposed to flooding could triple by 2100, vs. today, as climate change drives up flood hazard and exposure
Resources: UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), World Meteorological Organisation/IPCC, Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC), World Bank, Joint Research Centre & European Commission, Carbon Brief (Nature Climate Change study), and Deutsche Welle/IPCC analysis.
What Do We Offer?
Work With the EG Champion Team
EG’s Champions are the challenge owners in this programme, bringing extensive expertise in hydrological and hydrodynamic modelling, decision support systems, flood forecasting, and crisis management. They help shape the challenges and guide the process to ensure startup alignment with real operational needs and high-impact potential.
Challenge-Based Engagement
Work directly on defined, high-priority challenges identified by EG, giving your startup a focused path to relevance, product fit, and meaningful impact in the flood resilience domain.
Access to Expert Mentorship
Collaborate with specialists in emergency systems, data-driven decision-making, and public communication during crises. Our global mentors will help you adapt your solution to meet the real needs of agencies and local authorities operating under uncertainty.
Global Market Insights
Explore how leading flood-prone regions address critical gaps in alert systems and crisis communication. With the support of EG and global partners, you’ll gain actionable insights into operational needs, stakeholder coordination, and public engagement strategies.
Real-World Validation
Get the opportunity to present a Proof of Concept about your flood management solution in real operational environments with the practical partner EG and its networks. Demonstrate impact, gather critical feedback, and accelerate your path to market through high-relevance pilot settings.
Streamlined PoC Processes
Access the tools and support needed to efficiently implement proof-of-concept projects with public agencies and infrastructure stakeholders. Bypass bureaucratic hurdles and rapidly iterate your solution to meet pressing flood resilience and emergency response needs.
Who Should Apply
Do you tick most of the boxes?
- Is your solution relevant to flood prediction, emergency or crisis communication, or resilience planning?
- Do you have a working product ready for presenting or deployment?
- Are you looking to scale into new markets and present a Proof of Concept about your solution with public agencies or infrastructure operators?
- Are you a resident of the EU or legally registered in a country associated with Horizon Europe?
If you do, this is your call to scale
It’s Time to Scale:
2025 Timeline
Ongoing startup interviews & assessment
Tailored support with expert guidance, hands-on workshops, and partner sessions to help startups strengthen their solutions, refine strategy, and accelerate market readiness
Please note that the timeline is subject to change.
Mentors
Roland W. Waniek
Nethanel Meron
Partner, OCI
Amir Givati
CEO, Israeli Meteorological Service
PhD in Atmospheric science. Master degree in Hydrology
Head of the Israeli Meteorological Service.
Dan Shaham
JADDE builds a global ecosystem of technologists, responders, and visionaries committed to reshaping disaster response. Its team and advisors bring decades of experience from the field, the lab, and the front lines of innovation.
Limor Karvonen
M.P.H in Crisis, Disaster & Emergency Management
JADDE builds a global ecosystem of technologists, responders, and visionaries committed to reshaping disaster response. Its team and advisors bring decades of experience from the field, the lab, and the front lines of innovation.
What is Calling2Scale
Calling2Scale is EIT Hub Israel’s flagship programme for global startup expansion. It supports Growth-stage European and Israeli startups in entering new markets, building international partnerships, and accelerating growth. The programme runs across sectors, from health and energy to climate tech, agrifood, and mobility, and is co-led with strategic partners in markets Europe, Japan, Canada, and the US. Startups receive tailored matchmaking, expert mentoring, and support to secure pilots, collaborations, and funding.
Calling2Scale cohorts
Startups supported
Direct investment attracted by supported startups and scaleups
Pilot projects / PoCs conducted
Alfredo Neila
Founder and CEO of plastic repair systems, Spain
“Being part of Calling2Scale has transformed Plastic Repair Systems. The insightful sessions led by EIT Global Outreach team of speakers and exposure to one of the hottest innovation ecosystems have significantly accelerated our growth and visibility plans. Thanks to the programme we have facilitated international connections and collaborations, essential for tackling the interconnected challenges of our world. It’s not just about scaling up; it’s about creating meaningful cross-border partnerships. I am proud to be a Calling2Scaler.”
Monika Tomecka
CEO of UFRACTION8, Poland
“Participating in the Calling2Scale programme has been a game-changer for UFraction8. The exposure to one of the hottest innovation ecosystems and the insightful sessions provided by EIT Global Outreach have significantly contributed to our plans for growth and visibility. The support received goes beyond financial assistance; it’s about building connections and fostering collaboration on an international level. The programme not only provides valuable opportunities for start-ups to scale up but also facilitates cross-border connections that are essential for addressing the complex challenges of our interconnected world.”
Matias Sigal
REplace Co-Founder & CEO
“Calling2Scale was an amazing experience for REplace. The mentorship on scaling strategy was exactly what we needed to prepare for our next growth phase. Highly recommend it.”
Mati Shani
Ceal Minerals Co-Founder & CEO
“Calling2Scale was an incredible experience — a chance to pitch our CDR technology to key players in the climate space. The mentorship and support throughout the programme truly elevated our journey. A great platform for visibility, connections, and impact.”
Henrik Pitz
COO & Co-Founder, CERPRO
“The Q2Scale program gave us valuable insights and support to better understand our market and how to successfully plan pilot projects or onboard new customers.”
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s a collection of common questions and clear answers related to a specific topic, product, or service
Are there any costs or fees involved?
Our exclusive bootcamp is fully funded by EIT Hub Israel and programme partners. There are no participation fees, but full commitment to the sessions is required.
What commitment is required from the startup?
Selected startups are expected to participate in all bootcamp sessions, mentoring calls, and partner engagements. The programme is designed to be fully online. Startups are required to report for up to three years after their participation on any collaborations established or investments attracted during or following the programme. This information is used for EU audit purposes only.
What will the mentoring process look like?
Each startup will be matched with experienced mentors from the flood resilience, emergency tech, and business oriented experts from EG and globally. Mentoring will include one-on-one sessions, office hours, and thematic group discussions to help you shape your solution for market validation and public sector collaboration.
What does the selection process look like?
After submitting your application, eligible startups will go through a two-step evaluation: an initial screening based on fit and readiness, followed by interviews with the programme team and challenge partners to assess potential for real-world deployment.
What are the assessment criteria?
Startups will be evaluated based on relevance to the defined challenges, technical maturity (working prototype or product), potential for real-world implementation, team strength, motivation, and bootcamp fit.
