The Ocean Impact Pitchfest is back for 2022. The Ocean Impact Organisation is on the hunt for the world’s most impactful startups that are committed to improving the health of the ocean.
There’s $50,000 on offer for the winner, as well as access to key business leaders and mentors.
“We’ve had a huge year since the successful Ocean Impact Pitchfest 2021 and plenty of learnings since launching Pitchfest in 2020.” says co-founder Tim Silverwood.
“A big standout is how broad the global ecosystem of ‘ocean impact’ startups is becoming. When we launched OIO in 2020 we were one of only a handful of organisations dedicated to supporting ocean impact startups – fast forward to 2022 and the ecosystem is expanding at a healthy rate. This is being reflected in applications to OIO’s innovation programs with over 600 submissions from over 45 countries to date.”
They’re compounding success from the first two years to expand the offering to the startups that get involved.
“We’re thrilled this year to expand the offerings to applicants with four dedicated Spotlight Awards (Plastic Pollution presented by Zip Water; Ocean Monitoring presented by Dicker Data; Sustainable Ocean Harvesting presented by Austral Fisheries; Climate Solutions presented by OIO’s philanthropy community) and to introduce the inaugural NSW Ocean Innovation Award presented by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment for an innovative startup improving ocean health in NSW.” Tim says.
“It feels wonderful to have so many programs and opportunities to support diverse startups and entrepreneurs at various stages of their ocean impact journey.”
Last year’s winner was Sea Forest, a Tasmanian startup cultivating asparagopsis seaweed to reduce the impact of methane emissions (cow farts) on the atmosphere.
“It is such a great honour for a startup like Sea Forest to be named Winner of The Ocean Impact Pitchfest 2021. Our goal has always been to make rapid progress and meaningful impact on climate change through emissions reduction. We have a long way to go but the support provided to the company through Ocean Impact Organisation will assist in driving Sea Forest to scale its IP in science and engineering to deliver a sustainable seaweed aquaculture industry, regional employment and educational opportunities and positive environmental outcomes for Planet Ocean.” says Sea Forest co-founder and CEO, Sam Elsom.
Startups can apply until 20th September 2022, and then the winners and the runners up will be announced at the INNOVOCEAN event on 24 November.
The event is supported by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment, and will showcase not only the pitchfest winners, but also a whole range of stakeholders and projects from industry, science and government.
It will also incorporate live pitches from startups participating in the Ocean Impact Accelerator Program 2022. Six startups from Australia, Asia and the USA will present the progress they’ve made throughout the 7-month program and pitch for investment to build their enterprises.