Applications to The Ocean Impact Accelerator Program 2022 have now closed. 

Participants were announced in April 2022. The 7-month program commenced May 2022 and culminated in a demo day in late November 2022.

Interested in participating in future cohorts?
Startups can register their interest via the following form.

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 a custom-designed program for startups working on scalable solutions to improve ocean health.

The 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 $100,000AUD and introduce you to a community of active ocean impact investors, whilst helping you expand your business through our extensive networks in Australia & overseas.

RECEIVE THE SUPPORT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED

  • INVESTMENT

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

  • MENTORS

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

  • GUIDANCE

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

  • INTRODUCTIONS TO INVESTORS

    In addition to our own guaranteed investment, we will 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

    Learn from the best about every aspect of developing and growing your business. Whether it be the basics of protecting your IP right through to exploring international markets, our Masterclasses are a great way to learn from the best.

KEY DATES

  • APPLICATIONS OPEN

    TBC

  • APPLICATIONS CLOSE

    TBC

  • FIRST ROUND INTERVIEWS

    TBC

  • FINAL INTERVIEWS

    TBC

  • PROGRAM COMMENCES

    TBC

  • PROGRAM CLOSES

    TBC

    Total Program Length:
    ~7 months

PARTNERING FOR MAXIMUM IMPACT

OIO x ENERGYLAB

We’ve partnered with EnergyLab to maximise the impact of The Ocean Impact Accelerator Program. EnergyLab are Australia’s leading climate tech and renewables accelerator, delivering nine cohorts over the past six years. 

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

ENERGYLAB

EnergyLab’s mission is to help talented founders rapidly deploy technological solutions to the climate crisis.

EnergyLab has supported over 100 climate tech startups over the last six years and manages a network of more than 500 mentors, investors and industry partners.

It runs a range of programs, including the largest and longest-running climate tech startup acceleration program in Australia.

FIND OUT MORE

WHO’S IT FOR?

  • PRODUCT OR SERVICE IDEA

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

  • TEAM

    Startups that have pulled together the beginnings of their team.

  • TIME

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

PROGRAM STRUCTURED OVER 7-MONTHS

  • MONTHS 1-3

    Intense Planning

    Regular workshops, mentor introductions, partner introductions and more.

  • MONTHS 4-7

    Business Development

    Customised support through coaching and mentoring while founders get on with the work.

  • MONTH 7

    Capstone and Investor Module

    Tell the story and the journey to bring the resources on for the long haul.

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

  • FOUNDATIONS MODULE

    Including: Legal & accounting; team formation; customer research; financial modelling; mentor introductions; coaching kick-off.

  • SALES AND PARTNERSHIPS MODULE

    Including: market analysis; marketing; sales; presentation skills; partner presentations.

  • WORK PLANNING MODULE

    Develop a work plan and allocate resources to make it happen.

  • CAPSTONE AND INVESTOR MODULE

    Developing your 'ask'; pitch preparation and practice; investor introductions; showcasing.

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.

  • 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

    Due: TBC

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

  • FIRST ROUND INTERVIEWS

    TBC

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

  • FINAL INTERVIEWS

    TBC

    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.

 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 and 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 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.