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Turning INDIVIDUALS into Oceanpreneurs

Gather the tools and know-how you’ll need to generate an ocean impact startup idea, or test and develop an idea you already have.

Ocean academics and university students, apply to the Ocean Impact Ideation Program now!

Applications close: 14 March 2025

OCEAN SOLUTION AREAS

  • Ocean Pollution

  • Climate

  • Habitat & Biodiversity

  • Food Security

what IS THE ocean impact ideation Program?

This program focuses on turning individuals into oceanpreneurs. We’ll give you the foundations to combine your degree with startup thinking and ocean knowledge, empowering you to join or even launch an ocean impact startup in the future.

  • Eight group sessions are delivered via video call over an eight-week sprint to show you how to identify opportunities, generate solution ideas, and walk you through the commercialisation journey.

  • We strike a balance between providing vital knowledge and teaching you the processes needed to found a startup.

  • Developed and delivered by a team of startup and ocean professionals with the expertise to help effectively identify and test areas of opportunity.

  • Only a small group of talented individuals will be offered a spot in the OIIP, all of which you'll get to know by the end of the program.

WHO IS THE PROGRAM FOR?

Are you an Australian-based ocean science academic or university student with a burning passion to develop solutions that tackle challenges facing the ocean and broader environment? The Ocean Impact Ideation Program 2025 is open to current and past undergrads and postgrads seeking to contribute to solutions in the sustainable blue economy space.

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EIGHT modules to set you up for success

  • Embark on your entrepreneurial journey, uncovering your motivations to become an oceanpreneur. Explore ideation techniques to generate and select solutions aligned with your passion and expertise.

  • Explore challenges, ocean solution areas, trends, and untapped niches. Develop comprehensive market analysis skills to identify innovative opportunities in the sustainable blue economy.

  • Refine and develop your concept, evaluating feasibility, scalability, and environmental impact. Engage in workshops and mentor-led sessions to shape your ideas into viable projects.

  • Learn how to craft a persuasive value proposition. Discover how to articulate key elements of your solution in a compelling pitch that demonstrates the potential impact for future customers.

  • Immerse yourself in understanding and validating customer needs. Learn how to create a lasting solution based on real-world insights from customer research, feedback collection, and iterative development.

  • Navigate the diverse funding options available for ocean impact startups. Explore funding types, stages of fundraising, and expectations from potential investors. Gain the knowledge to secure financial support for your venture’s journey.

  • Learn how to build strategic connections in industry ecosystems. Develop a plan to network with mentors, industry experts, and potential collaborators. It’s time for your final pitch! Integrate the insights gained throughout the program and show off your new skills.

PARTICIPATION FEE

$nil

The program has been fully funded by SARAH & SEBASTIAN, therefore the cost to selected participants is nil. Successful applicants will be provided with a free scholarship to the program valued at $2,000 pp.

 What we’re looking for

During the selection process, we will assess your application against three key areas:

Skill - Do you have problem-solving capabilities or a specific skill/experience that you can leverage to create a unique offering?

Spirit - Are you driven, persistent, disciplined, comfortable with ambiguity, and not afraid to take calculated risks?

Hustle - Can you find a way to get something done in an unconventional way? Could you convince someone to trial your product for the first time?

 Application & Selection Process

  1. A simple online application outlining professional and academic experience, describing current studies, providing a current CV, and describing any experience with entrepreneurship.

  2. Up to 30 applicants will be selected to proceed to an informal, online interview. This is an opportunity for OIO to find out more about the applicant, and for the applicant to understand more about the program.

  3. Up to 20 applicants will be selected from the 30 that interviewed, and will be offered a position in the program.

  • Application Period | 10 Feb - 14 Mar 2025

    Screening and Selections | 14 Mar - 21 Mar 2025

    Ideation Program Overview & Q&A | Wed 12 March 2025

    Module 1 | Wed 2 April 2025

    Module 2 | Wed 9 April 2025

    Module 3 | Wed 16 April 2025 (TBC)

    Module 4 | Wed 30 April 2025 (TBC)

    Module 5 | Wed 7 May 2025

    Module 6 | Wed 14 May 2025

    Module 7 | Wed 21 May 2025

    Module 8 | Wed 28 May 2025

FAQs

If there is anything else you would like to know please email info@ocean-impact.org

  • You are eligible to apply if you are:

    • a) Currently based in Australia

    • b) Are currently studying – or have completed – at least a Bachelor’s Degree (including post-graduate degrees, eg. Masters, PhD). 

    Applications are open to those who have completed their degree at a non-Australian university, as long as they are currently based in Australia.

    Ideal applicants are not required to be studying an ocean-related field, but will be interested in applying their knowledge to ocean health outcomes.

  • SARAH & SEBASTIAN have generously funded the cost of the program. Successful applicants will be provided with a free scholarship worth $2,000pp.

  • Each session is around 2.5 - 3 hours long. Each week you'll have a small 'homework' task to work on before the next session.

  • To ensure we can give everyone the attention they deserve there will be no more than 20 participants.

  • These are areas in which you may be pursuing an impact, such as:

    Ocean Pollution:
    Solutions contributing to a clean ocean that target plastic, agricultural, chemical, biological, or sound pollution.

    Climate:
    Solutions shaping a stable climate by addressing clean ocean energy, shipping & ports emissions, or ocean-based carbon dioxide removal (ocean CDR).

    Habitat & Biodiversity:
    Solutions contributing to thriving and restored habitats, including Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), nature-based solutions, and restoration or monitoring technologies.

    Food Security:
    Solutions that help sustainably manage ocean resources via aquaculture, fisheries, and alternative blue foods.

  • Yes! We’d love for you to share this with your faculty or individuals who are the right fit. Please download and distribute this PDF.

Are you ready to begin your ocean impact journey?

The Ocean Impact Ideation Program (OIIP) focuses on turning individuals into oceanpreneurs. OIIP participants will join our select community of startups and founders and thus be recognised and supported into the future to help ensure your greatest chance of success.

Get the foundations to help you join or even launch an ocean impact startup. Apply below.