Cleaner Seas On Top of the World as Pitchfest 2023 Winners
Press release for immediate distribution
SYDNEY, 22 NOVEMBER 2023
Cleaner Seas On Top of the World as Pitchfest 2023 Winners
INNOVOCEAN Highlights the Power of Global Ocean Health Innovation
The Winners of The Ocean Impact Pitchfest 2023 were announced today, with Cleaner Seas Group (UK) landing top honours out of 200 applications. Tackling the enormous challenge of microfibre pollution from the washing of textiles, Cleaner Seas were judged best in class from 12 Finalists by a panel of impact investors and experts from across the world.
The Ocean Impact Pitchfest 2023 Winners, Cleaner Seas Group, accepting the award live on stage at INNOVOCEAN
The results of The Ocean Impact Pitchfest 2023 were announced live at Ocean Impact Organisation’s INNOVOCEAN event at the Australian National Maritime Museum following a captivating afternoon of thought leadership panels, live pitches, demonstrations and a powerful keynote address by Stephen Oliver, Manager of Documentaries at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).
“ We can’t quite believe it to be honest, to be announced as the Winners from 200 applications is an astounding result. It’s been a long road to get here and we are so proud of this moment. To be here in Australia, amongst a room full of passionate people pursuing ocean impact illustrates that the ripples we’ve helped generate, really are turning into waves. We’re at the perfect stage of our journey to enter new markets, raise investment, and secure aligned partners that can take us to the next level. Australia, here we come!”
Two Australian-based startups were announced as prize Winners for Pitchfest 2023, including Washbox as First Runner Up and Winner of the Plastic Pollution Spotlight Award presented by Zip Water and Kelp Island who were awarded the Climate Spotlight Award presented by Star of the South.
Pitchfest 2023 Winner, Runners Up, and Spotlight Award Recipients on stage at INNOVOCEAN
The Ocean Impact Pitchfest 2023 results are:
Winners of The Ocean Impact Pitchfest 2023:
Cleaner Seas Group® (UK) - WINNER
Washbox Global (Australia) - First Runner Up
NovFeed (Tanzania) - Second Runner Up
Spotlight Award Recipients:
Kelp Island (Australia) - Climate Spotlight Award
OnDeck Fisheries AI (Canada) - Monitoring Spotlight Award
NovFeed (Tanzania) - Sustainable Harvesting Spotlight Award
Washbox Global (Australia) - Plastic Spotlight Award presented by Zip Water
Marking its second year, INNOVOCEAN is the OIO’s annual showcase event celebrating the progress being made by the organisation and the startups and entrepreneurs it supports.
With this year’s theme centred on the fragility of Australia’s Great Southern Reef, guests were immersed in the wonders of ancient giant kelp forests, whilst understanding the importance of impactful storytelling for change. The event highlighted an array of local and international startups, each presenting their innovative solutions to enhance global ocean health.
The afternoon at INNOVOCEAN was filled with thought-provoking discussions and presentations about the state of the ocean and the innovation, policy and investment that’s required to positively transform global ocean health. A standout moment was the powerful keynote address delivered by Stephen Oliver, Manager of Documentaries at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). Oliver, known for his work on major documentary hits like ‘Southern Ocean Live’, ‘War on Waste’, ‘Ningaloo Nyingggulu’, and many more, highlighted the transformative power of storytelling in shaping public perception and action towards ocean conservation.
The event also included two insightful panel discussions. The first panel, "Scaling Science for Ocean Impact," explored Australia’s potential to commercialise ocean science for global impact, with experts like Angela Williamson (Director, Blue Policy and Planning, Blue Economy Cooperative Research Centre), Claudette Rechtorik (Founder and Manager, Ocean Youth), and Professor Peter Steinberg (Emeritus Professor, UNSW and Founding Managing Director of Sydney Institute of Marine Science) contributing their perspectives.
The second panel, "Is Ocean Health Innovation the Next Climate-Tech?" dived into the rapid emergence of ocean investing as the ‘little brother’ of ocean health innovation, featuring insights from Michaela Dommisse (Director, Marine Research and Infrastructure, Minderoo Foundation), Peter Bryant (Oceans Program Director, Builders Vision), Tom Kline (Climate Tech Partners), and Kristin Vaughan (Managing Partner, Virescent Ventures).
Emotions ran deep with the screening of the emotional and provocative ‘Reviving Giants’ short film, directed by underwater cinematographer and co-founder of the Great Southern Reef Foundation, Stefan Andrews. The film explores the rapid loss of Tasmania’s giant kelp forests, which are being rapidly depleted due to climate change before the eyes of scientists and activists, within a generation. The film also examines the role of innovation and the potential of human generated restoration techniques to bring back lost ecosystems and protect those vulnerable to future ocean heatwaves and extreme events.
A clear highlight of the event amongst guests was the Ocean Impact Accelerator Program (OIAP) live pitches. This segment featured the 2023 Cohort, including Australian startups Hullbot, Shark Stop and Aquacultr, showcasing their groundbreaking solutions to complex ocean health challenges. International guests to Sydney from the OIAP who also pitched on the day included: Azul Bio, Clean Earth Rovers and ecoSPEARS (via video).
Andre Borrell demonstrating Shark Stop’s shark-bite-resistant wetsuits with a dive knife live on stage during their pitch.
"INNOVOCEAN 2023 showed us that this event isn’t just a gathering; it is a catalyst for change and a powerful indicator of Australia’s potential as a breeding ground and destination for ocean health innovation. We knew we made a mark in 2022, but we’ve definitely taken it up a big notch in 2023! The contributions from the OIAP 2023, including our Australian startups Hullbot, Aquacultr and Shark Stop, illustrate the exciting homegrown innovation we have on our doorstep, and the announcement of The Ocean Impact Pitchfest 2023 Winners, Cleaner Seas Group, Washbox, NovFeed, Ondeck Fisheries AI and Kelp Island was another key moment in our journey and is a testament to the potential of the brilliant startups out there working on ocean health solutions," said Nick Chiarelli, CEO and Co-founder of Ocean Impact Organisation.
Nick added, "To say I’m excited for the future of OIO and Australia’s potential to rapidly expand ocean health solutions is an understatement. As one of our presenters put it so eloquently today - we know the scale of the problems and we know that we don’t have time on our side, so if not now then when, and if not us then who? I want to send an enormous thanks to everyone who helped make the event today such a success, it was truly one for the ages."
To date, OIO has supported 99 startups and entrepreneurs through its innovation programs, since launching in March 2020. Over 1170 startups from 70 countries have applied to OIO programs and $1.49M of funds have been directed into ocean health solutions, including $385k in Pitchfest prize money.
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For press enquiries please contact:
Tim Silverwood
Head of Marketing and Community
info@ocean-impact.org
About OIO
Founded in February 2020 by visionaries Nick Chiarelli and Tim Silverwood, Ocean Impact Organisation (OIO) has emerged as Australia's leading ocean impact ecosystem and startup accelerator, dedicated to enhancing the health of the world's oceans. Headquartered in Sydney, OIO curates comprehensive innovation programs designed to help people start, grow, and invest in businesses that positively impact ocean health.
