Applications are now closed for The Ocean Impact Pitchfest 2020.
We received almost 200 applications from innovators from 38 countries working to make a positive impact on Planet Ocean.
Congratulations to the Winner, Runners Up and Finalists, and a huge thanks to all of the applicants, the judges, the OIO Partner Network and everyone that helped make this inaugural Ocean Impact Pitchfest a great success.
celebrating innovation for a sustainable ocean
The Ocean Impact Pitchfest 2020 was a completely virtual event celebrating the 2020 UN World Oceans Day theme “Innovation for a Sustainable Ocean” and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s).
Pitchfest 2020 was created to discover, showcase and celebrate innovations and innovators with the passion, drive and potential to have a significant positive impact on Planet Ocean.
what’s on offer?
$15,000 Cash Prize from Bank Australia to the Pitchfest Winner
Over $160,000 of support from the OIO Partner Network
Access to key business and science mentors
Global exposure through an OIO Communications Boost
Entry to the OIO Virtual Startup Community
Winner
$15,000 cash prize provided by Bank Australia
OIO Support Package worth over $50,000
Access to key business and science mentors
OIO Communications Boost
Free membership to the OIO Virtual Startup Community
Two RUNNERS UP
OIO Support Package worth over $30,000 each
Access to key business and science mentors
OIO Communications Boost
Free membership to the OIO Virtual Startup Community
Seven finalists
Share in over $50,000 worth of support from the OIO Partner Network
OIO Communications Boost
Free membership to the OIO Virtual Startup Community
who can apply?
Impact
Entrants must be targeting, or achieving, significant positive impact on the ocean through their business model.
Scaleability
Entrants must have the potential to grow rapidly to become a large company.
Startup stage
Entrants are expected to have a refined business idea with some level of customer validation and annual turnover of less than $5milUSD.
Structure
Entry is not open to not-for-profits. Entrants must be pursuing a profit motive business model.
ocean impact Themes
Entrants must be working within one or more of the following six ocean impact themes.
Ocean
Health
Eg. Ecosystem protection and restoration,Waste management & recycling, Circular economy, Alternative materials, Agricultural practices, Urban development, Blue financing, Sustainable tourism, Ocean sports & activities
Ocean
Harvesting
Eg. Traditional fisheries & aquaculture, Smart fishing gear, Supply chain digitisation, Regenerative aquaculture, Aquaculture digitisation, Waste reduction, Fish feed replacements, Ocean farming, Lab grown seafood
Transport
& Security
Eg. Alternative fuels & ship design, Electrification of boats, Increased ports efficiency, Improved security & goods transparency, Container digitisation, Decarbonisation of vessels
Ocean
Energy
Eg. Harnessing renewable energy from the ocean to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Wave energy, Tidal energy from currents or ranges, Ocean thermal energy using temperature variations to create energy, Solutions to increase the supply and demand for ocean energy
New
Frontiers
Eg. Large scale seaweed farming, Marine bio solutions and products, Marine biomimicry, Ocean exploration, Underwater robotics, IOT for oceans, Offshore renewable energy aquaculture, Floating cities
Inspiration & Leisure
Eg. Increasing ocean literacy, Virtual and augmented reality, Sustainable tourism, Ocean accessibility, Mainstream media projects, Improving impacts of sports and leisure
How to apply?
A simple two step process:
Step 1 - online application form
Step 2 - applications that fit the Application Criteria will be invited to submit a three minute pitch video.
Up to ten Finalists will have their pitch video showcased by OIO, and select partners, leading up to the Winner and Runners Up announcement.
The Finalists will be judged by our multidisciplinary panel of experts covering ocean science, innovation, startups, business, impact, investment, sustainability, conservation and media & communications.
Winner and runners up announced on Wednesday 4 November 2020
Applications are now closed.
Judging criteria
1. Potential for impact
The potential environmental and social impact of your product or service must be significant.
2. Innovation
Your product or service should be novel or unique.
3. Product market fit
You must demonstrate a good level of product/market fit i.e. customers need your solution and your number of customers and/or customer pipeline is growing fast.
4. Competitive advantage
Your business must be able to compete against existing competitors and fend off copycats.
5. Business plan
You must have a realistic business plan and a high likeliness of generating sustainable profits.
6. Team
You have the right balance of skills and experience to build your business.
7. A great pitch video
You must be able to clearly articulate the problem you’re working on, the size of the opportunity & potential for impact, and why you have a great chance of being successful. Extra consideration will be given to applications with an attractive video entry.
JUDGING PANEL
Peter Steinberg
Professor of Biology, UNSW, Sydney Institute of Marine Science
Erika Montague
Chief Technologist, Schmidt Marine Technology Partners
David Redhill
Global Chief Marketing Officer, Deloitte Consulting
David Carter
CEO, Austral Fisheries
Rory McAuley
Research Lead, Flourishing Oceans - Minderoo Foundation
Richard Leck
Head of Oceans, WWF - Australia
Craig Dudenhoeffer
Chief Innovation Officer, Sustainable Ocean Alliance
Ted Janulis
Founder & Principal, Investable Oceans
Alastair McGibbon
Impact Finance, Bank Australia
Allen Haroutonian
CEO, Blue-X
Jas Chambers
Bureau of Meteorology; Board Member, Science & Technology Australia,
are you working on a great idea to help planet ocean?
Applications are now closed for The Ocean Impact Pitchfest 2020.
Winner and Runners Up to be announced Wednesday 4 November 2020.
Preregister your interest in applying to Pitchfest 2021 below.
partners
more information
Are you only accepting applications from Australia?
We are encouraging applications from Australia and all over the world.
can not-for-profits or charities apply?
No. Applications can only be from organisations pursuing a profit motive business model.
Is the cash prize a grant or investment?
Neither! The cash prize is a completely unencumbered prize with no strings attached.
What are the key dates?
Applications close on Monday 5 October 2020, meaning pitch video entries will need to be submitted by then. Finalists will be announced the week commencing Monday 19 October 2020 and the Winner and Runners Up will be announced Wednesday 4 November 2020.
What's an OIO Communications Boost?
The OIO Communications Boost includes;
- coverage of your video pitch and your startup through OIO, and select partner, channels including social media, website and email, and
- an opportunity to participate in an episode of The Ocean Impact Podcast.
What does it mean to be part of the OIO Virtual Startup Community?
Membership to the OIO Virtual Startup Community and you'll join a community of startups, founders and mentors all passionate about creating an abundant and sustainable ocean. Includes virtual meetups, ocean impact masterclasses, discount software subscriptions and much more.
are you working on a great idea to help planet ocean?
Applications are now closed for The Ocean Impact Pitchfest 2020.
Winner and Runners Up to be announced Wednesday 4 November 2020.
Preregister your interest in applying to Pitchfest 2021 below.