What happens when a lifelong passion for protecting water meets cutting-edge digital innovation? For Louis-Philippe Noël and Maxime Miville Deschênes, it sparked a bold idea. One that would grow into Sulys, an award-winning environmental startup at the intersection of artificial intelligence and aquatic conservation.
Team Sulys at the AquaHacking Quebec 2025 Finale
For Louis-Philippe Noël, protecting water is his life's mission. On top of that, he’s skilled with computers and digital tech. In the summer of 2023, he and his lifelong friend Maxime Miville Deschênes looked for ways to combine those shared interests, and the emerging field of artificial intelligence. Then, they discovered an article from young biologist Marie-Pier Brochu on environmental DNA. It sparked a vision: could they use AI to help detect invasive aquatic species and track biodiversity?
They decided to set up a meeting with Marie-Pier, and they all clicked instantly. Together, they dove into solution-mode and that’s when Sulys began to take shape. With complementary strengths and a shared sense of purpose, the trio united around a bold goal: to protect their aquatic environments through cutting-edge technology.
Last month, their journey reached a milestone. At the AquaHacking Challenge grand finale in Rouyn-Noranda, they won $20,000 in seed funding for their winning pitch: Sulys. The prize capped 10 months of rigorous work with AquaHacking mentors.
Sulys combines DNA tracking with AI data analysis to detect invasive aquatic species early and provide smart, actionable solutions. It's a breakthrough solution that lets municipalities and park managers stay one step ahead of threats, and one giant leap for our freshwater future. Species like zebra mussels and Eurasian milfoil, for example, can devastate local ecosystems by outcompeting native species, clogging waterways, and dramatically altering lake and river habitats.
The road hasn’t been smooth. Between work, studies, and research, finding time between long days was one of their biggest challenges. But their shared leadership, mutual trust, and deep connection to water kept them going.
With AquaHacking’s mentorship and the unwavering support of their loved ones, they carried their vision forward. AquaAction didn’t just inspire them, it showed them they are not alone. And now? They’ve launched their business and are securing their first pilot project with the conservation authorities for the Saint-Francois and Batiscan-Champlain watersheds for summer 2025. The team dreams of helping communities preserve the deep relationship they share with water.
Sulys is showing us what is possible when we apply next-generation digital tools to meet fast-moving ecological threats. This is innovation with a mission, and a perfect example of the exciting young entrepreneurs fostered by AquaAction who are building a water-secure future.