Pitchfest2020 — Ocean Impact Organisation

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.

Check out the Winner & Finalists

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

Check out the Winners & Finalists

who can apply?

ImpactEntrants must be targeting, or achieving, significant positive impact on the ocean through their business model. — **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.

StructureEntry is not open to not-for-profits. Entrants must be pursuing a profit motive business model. — **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
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 HarvestingEg. Traditional fisheries & aquaculture, Smart fishing gear, Supply chain digitisation, Regenerative aquaculture, Aquaculture digitisation, Waste reduction, Fish feed replacements, Ocean farming, Lab grown seafood — 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 — 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 su… — 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 FrontiersEg. Large scale seaweed farming, Marine bio solutions and products, Marine biomimicry, Ocean exploration, Underwater robotics, IOT for oceans, Offshore renewable energy aquaculture, Floating cities — 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 & LeisureEg. Increasing ocean literacy, Virtual and augmented reality, Sustainable tourism, Ocean accessibility, Mainstream media projects, Improving impacts of sports and leisure — **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.