During our annual Tech 1000 Challenge, Tetra Tech employees pitched innovative AI solutions with real-world applications across water, environment, and infrastructure markets.
The 2026 Tech 1000 Challenge brought together teams from across Tetra Tech to explore existing and potential client opportunities, build upon our technological expertise, and generate hundreds of scalable ideas using AI. The annual competition transforms innovative concepts into actionable solutions by expanding access and skills in generative AI, further advancing our Leading with Science® approach.
Meet our 2026 Tech 1000 Challenge Winners
Teams from around the world gathered for the final challenge round and award ceremony on May 19. The Top 4 teams, selected from hundreds of high-quality submissions across the company, presented groundbreaking ideas focused on water utility optimization, critical mineral recovery from mine waste, stormwater infrastructure investments, and urban dispersion modelling.
T1K Grand Champion: ReMining AI
Idea: Accelerating viable mineral recovery opportunities from mine waste
Runner-up: LeakIQ
Idea: Using AI to continuously improve and optimize how water utilities effectively reduce leaks
Finalist: StormIQ
Idea: Interpreting current hydrologic conditions for prioritized stormwater infrastructure investments
Finalist: Urban Dispersion AI
Idea: Reducing costs and turnaround times for air dispersion analysis design and regulatory decisions
Transforming ideas into real-world impact
Winners were selected by a panel of senior leaders representing various Tetra Tech markets. Judges evaluated the technical viability of each solution, considering cost-savings, regulatory, privacy, and safety factors that influence project implementation. ReMining AI was recognized for its cutting-edge application of AI and commercial potential for our mining clients. The ReMining AI team envisioned an AI-powered platform that transforms mine waste data into actionable insights. The winning team designed an innovative multi-agent system that works in tandem with our mining experts to rapidly screen and rank tailings assets.
ReMining AI started as a simple question: how can we help clients see value in mine waste that is currently hidden in old reports and disconnected data? Through Tech 1000, we were able to turn that early idea into a much more concrete and scalable solution, with guidance and collaboration from people across Tetra Tech.
Supporting competitive learning for our global workforce
The Tech 1000 Challenge reflects Tetra Tech’s broader commitment to building technology literacy and advancing innovation across our global operations. All employees had access to specialized training led by AI experts and Tetra Tech market leaders focused on data management, solution architecture, business development, user experience (UX), commercialization, and AI fundamentals.
Participants leveraged our secure, in-house AI resources and worked with Tetra Tech AI specialists and technical mentors to transform their bold ideas into working prototypes. Generative AI tools and best practices are continuously shared across Tetra Tech through our communities of practice, helping strengthen innovation while supporting responsible and secure AI adoption across the company.
Advancing the next generation of Tetra Tech Delta solutions
Since its inception in 2020, the Tech 1000 Challenge has generated hundreds of innovative solutions applicable across key Tetra Tech markets and sectors. Participants will continue to scale their solutions beyond the competition with access to Tetra Tech’s Delta suite of technologies and network of market and AI experts. Past solutions generated from the challenge include Airfield AI, an AI-powered tool transforming pavement condition inspections for our airport clients.
“Tetra Tech’s annual Tech 1000 Challenge innovation competition is an extension of the Company’s 60-year history of Leading with Science® and using the latest technology to solve the toughest client challenges of each era,” said Leslie Shoemaker, Chief Innovation Officer. “We leverage AI as part of our Tetra Tech Delta suite of technologies, because it brings added value to our clients’ projects and augments the expertise of our teams.”