On World Water Day, meet Finapp, EIC beneficiary using cosmic rays to measure water

With its 2025 theme being ‘Glacier Preservation’, this year’s World Water Day comes as a reminder of the growing unpredictability of the water cycle caused by global warming. To address this pressing issue, several international organisations have launched a new challenge: fostering the development of innovative solutions using artificial intelligence (AI) to address and mitigate the impact of climate change on food security and water resources. EIC Accelerator Blended Finance beneficiary, Finapp – based in Italy – accepted the challenge, designing and patenting an innovative CRNS technology aimed at preserving the most precious resource on Earth: water. 
 

Using cosmic rays to measure water: the next generation of CRNS probes 

What is the correlation between cosmic rays and water cycle management? The answer can be given by Finapp, an innovative company founded as a spin-off of the University of Padua in 2018.  

Thanks to the use of Finapps Cosmic Ray Neutron Sensing (CRNS) probes, that count the environmental neutrons produced by cosmic rays, its patented technology is pioneering a new way of measuring water, providing accurate data on the amount of water resource present in soil and snow.  

Finapp's ambitious goal is to make the innovative CRNS technology simple and affordable for everyone so as to offer concrete solutions to as many sectors as possible having water as their cornerstone. 

These include solutions for precision agriculture, for hydropower production, with pre-localisation of water losses in municipal networks, for the monitoring of hydrogeological risk and fires, and for scientific research. 
 

From shining at Cop28 to its recent triumph at My Start BCN 2024  

From 2023 to 2024, the Italian start-up landed two noticeable recognitions for its dedication to pioneering solutions to address the impact of climate change.  

First off, on 2 December 2023 in Dubai, FinApp was awarded – among other winners showcasing groundbreaking solutions leveraging on AI – for its potential to revolutionise the approach to climate change through its solution capable of measuring the abundance of water in the ground on large scale, in depth, and in real time.  

One year later, in November 2024 – following a rigorous selection process including presentations before a panel of industry professionals – Finapp was recognised the winner of the prestigious My Start BCN 2024 competition, organized by the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Barcelona. In the annual event celebrating the innovative spirit of Italian start-ups aiming to expand into the Spanish market, Finapp stood out for its innovative approach, scalability and potential to revolutionise its sector.  
 

Achieved impact and future prospects 

Building on the EIC-funded finapp cosmic ray neutron sensing project which has supported the Italian start-up in scaling up its innovative patented technology, Finapp’s CRNS innovation has by now been installed in over 20 countries, located in 7 continents, leading to the conservation of 1.7 billion litres of water and halting 1,300 tons of CO2 emissions.  
 

Additional information     

finapp cosmic ray neutron sensing project is an EIC Accelerator Blended Finance beneficiary from Italy, which strives to make available the technology needed to preserve water. Finapp coordinates the project, which benefits from the strenght of the company’s expertise, gained in scientific research and technological innovation. 

For more information on the finapp cosmic ray neutron sensing project, please visit the dedicated page on CORDIS.