Ocean protection competition launches

The Ocean Pitch Challenge aims to develop economically viable solutions for the protection of the oceans and coastal ecosystems and is back for its second edition this summer.

Launched in France in January 2021, the challenge was created from the partnership between Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA) and RespectOcean and is a free-to-enter contest open to international companies, start-ups, SMEs, and project carriers. Solutions must have a ‘positive, or at least neutral, impact on the ocean and its marine and coastal ecosystems’.

Those who wish to participate in the Ocean Pitch Challenge submit various presentation elements of their solution, which is designed to contribute to the preservation of the ocean. These could be at a project stage or may already be implemented.

After the closing date, ten projects will be chosen by an independent pre-selection committee and will be announced at the beginning of April. The successful candidates will be invited to pitch in a grand final in May, for which a month of online coaching in pitch technique will be offered.

The winner will be decided upon by a jury of eight judges with the prize including one year’s free membership to the RespectOcean association, a stand at Pollutec Mer & Littoral 2022 in Nantes in September, a media campaign and webinar dedicated to highlighting the project, and a start-up pass to ChangeNow Summit. There will also be prizes for the first and second runners-up.

In addition to the ten projects selected to pitch during the grand final, the committee will award three special prizes: preservation of marine biodiversity, bio-inspired solutions, and early-stage solutions.

The three selected candidates will have the opportunity to present their solutions during the final after the three winners have been announced.

The deadline for submitting an application is midnight on 10 March. Although applications submitted in French are accepted, the final pitch must be made in English. The contest rules can be found on the website.