2023

This year, we’re investing in six of the most innovative ocean impact startups from across the Pacific Rim.

We’ll equip your startup with ~$100,000 AUD investment and give you access to mentors, guidance, investor introductions, professional support, and masterclasses over this transformative six-month accelerator program.

Is that you?

Applications have now closed. Join our mailing list to be informed of future programs.

announcing the Ocean Impact Accelerator Program 2023 Cohort

Calling passionate ocean impact founders

The Ocean Impact Accelerator Program is OIO’s flagship program, providing the best ocean impact startups with the support they need to reach their potential. 

We’ve partnered with EnergyLab to deliver Australia’s first program for startups working on scalable solutions to improve ocean health.

Our accelerator program is industry and technology agnostic - your ocean impact solution may be addressing climate change; plastic pollution; fisheries and aquaculture; ocean data and monitoring, or many other challenge areas. 

We’ll invest $100,000 AUD and introduce you to a community of active ocean impact investors, whilst helping you expand your business through our extensive networks.

Reasons you should JOIN AN ACCELERATOR PROGRAM

Our Ocean Impact Accelerator Program gives you the support you need to succeed.

INVESTMENT

Receive guaranteed investment of ~$100,000 AUD on an agreed valuation.

MENTORS

Connect with amazing mentors with skills and resources covering every aspect of ocean impact and business development.

GUIDANCE

Get one-on-one advice from our experienced Leadership Team of entrepreneurs and investors.

INVESTOR INTRODUCTIONs

In addition to our guaranteed investment, we’ll help you refine your pitch and present it to engaged, prequalified investors to help accelerate your speed to market.

PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT

As a member of the program, you get no or low cost access to professional advice including legal and accounting.

MASTERCLASSES

Our Masterclasses are a great way to learn from the best about every aspect of developing and growing your business. From protecting your IP to exploring international markets.

Join Startups like These

  • Woman on stage with text quote reading "the exposure Uuvipak received through the program helped turn momentum into opportunity"
  • Finnish man on stage with quote reading: "the program positioned us to move faster than ever to clean rivers and recycle problem plastic globally"
  • Man on stage with quote reading: "Mayani is more confident than ever about our success in agrifisheries thanks to the program"
  • Female founder Kristin Kagetsu on stage with quote reading: "The program helped us to scale and put an end to menstural pad waste. Period"
  • Male founder on stage with quote reading: "The program convinced us that our solution to use carbon to deacidify oceans is critical for a sustainable future"
  • Male entrepreneur on stage with quote reading: "the program helped us get crystal clear on our 'ocean impact' and how to measure and report it"

Key Dates

6 February 2023

APPLICATIONS OPEN

APPLICATIONS CLOSE

26 March 2023

FIRST ROUND INTERVIEWS

3-14 April 2023

FINAL INTERVIEWS

24-28 April 2023

PROGRAM COMMENCES

12 June 2023

PROGRAM CLOSES

22 November 2023

Total Program Length:
~6 months

PARTNERING FOR MAXIMUM IMPACT

X

Laura Wells and Ocean Impact Organisation co-founder and ceoNick Chiarelli on stage at INNOVOCEAN 2022

We’ve partnered with EnergyLab - Australia’s leading climate tech and renewables accelerator - to maximise the impact of The Ocean Impact Accelerator Program.

Together, OIO and EnergyLab share a vision to maximise environmental outcomes and synergy across mentors, investors, advisors, partners and supporters.

EnergyLab’s mission is to help talented founders rapidly deploy technological solutions to the climate crisis. It has supported over 100 climate tech startups and delivered nine cohorts over the last six years, and manages a network of more than 500 mentors, investors, and industry partners. EnergyLab runs a range of programs, including the largest and longest-running climate tech startup acceleration program in Australia.

About Energylab

WHO’S THIS FOR?

Startups that have a clear idea or prototype for their business and a sense of where it fits in the market.

Startups that have pulled together the beginnings of their team.

Now is the time for the startup to commit and make it happen.

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

FOUNDATIONS MODULE

Including:

  • Legal and accounting

  • Team formation

  • Customer research

  • Financial modelling

  • Impact - Design, Strategy, Measurement and Tracking

  • Coaching kick-off

SALES AND PARTNERSHIP MODULE

Including:

  • Market analysis

  • Marketing

  • Sales

  • Presentation skills

  • Partner presentations

Scale and
Growth MODULE

Including:

  • Establishing milestones for growth

  • Scaling up

  • International expansion

  • Q&A with experienced founders

CAPSTONE AND INVESTMENT MODULE

Including:

  • Developing your 'ask'

  • Pitch preparation and practice

  • Investor introductions

  • Showcase

SELECTION CRITERIA

IMPACT

Entrants must have the potential to significantly improve ocean health through their business model.

SCALEABILITY

Entrants must have the potential to grow rapidly.

STARTUP STAGE

Open to early stage startups with a clear idea or prototype, the beginnings of a team, and some level of customer validation

STRUCTURE

Entrants must be pursuing a profit motive business model. Entry is not open to not-for-profits.

LOCATION

Entrants should be located in the Pacific Rim from Singapore to San Francisco (for timezone-conducive sessions).

PROGRAM COST

The program is completely free but participation is contingent on accepting an offer of investment from our angel group at the post-money valuation of your last priced round, or a default pre-money valuation of $1,000,000AUD if you haven't raised a priced round yet.

THE APPLICATION PROCESS

APPLICATION

The first step in the application process is to complete an online application form.

Due: 26 March 2023

First Round Interviews

Meet the team to discuss your application and how we can support your business. Interviews will be 30 minutes long and held virtually.

3-14 April 2023

Final Interviews

Those who make it to the final round will be invited to pitch to the fund investors. These investors will vote on who to accept into the program.

24-28 April 2023

 FAQs

  • The program will be delivered virtually from Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) and is designed to suit participants from Australia, Asia, the Pacific and across to the US West Coast. It’s important participants can join sessions and participate as a cohort. Therefore, timezones outside the above listed may not be suitable.

  • Possibly! We consider ocean impact businesses as those working either ‘for’ the ocean (that is: a business that is directly working to improve ocean health by addressing a key challenge or threat) or ‘from’ the ocean (that is: a business that is sustainably utilising the ocean for eg. food, health products, energy, transportation, climate change solutions). Please contact us if you are still unsure.

  • Unfortunately not. This program is focused on profit-making corporations, or for founders that are about to incorporate.

  • No, we are happy to receive applications from solo founders.

  • Probably. This program is for startups ready for fast growth. If you haven't quit your day job yet then please consider one of our other innovation programs.

  • Yes, the program comes with equity investment of ~$100,000AUD.

  • The post-money valuation of your latest priced round. If you haven't raised a priced round yet then we'll invest at a default pre-money valuation of A$1,000,000.

  • Early stage startups are the focus of this program. We get you started on the road to high growth. Startups that are already experiencing high growth over a sustained period are likely beyond the scope of this program.

Take your solution to the world