Ocean Community | Blue Tech Innovation

Welcome to the
Ocean Community
Challenge

OCC 2021 is now open for submissions until October 15!
Get inspired by OCC 2020
awarded solutions.

OCC 2021

WINNERS 2020

When the oceans breathe, we breathe.

Global goals can be reached through ocean opportunities. We encourage people to explore how to leverage emerging digital technologies with ocean resources to solve some of the challenges for the ocean.

Quando o oceano respira, nós respiramos.

Os objectivos globais podem ser alcançados pelas oportunidades que os oceanos nos oferecem. Encorajamos as pessoas a explorar e aproveitar as emergentes tecnologias digitais com os recursos marinhos para resolver alguns dos desafios que os oceanos enfrentam actualmente.

WHO WE ARE

"OCC provided a platform for us to grow as entrepreneurs; By providing an excellent business coach as well as a panel of angel investors, to which we had never pitched to before, we were able to refine our business model and pitch tailored towards investment”.

- ReShore, 1st prize winners OCC 2020

"One of the things I love about OCC is their dedication and that they are committed to support their participants."

- SOSO Care, 2nd prize winners, OCC 2020

The ocean is crying out for new ideas to survive and thrive!

The ocean's critical state is threatening our existence. Passionate about this issue, we came together in an understanding that the world needs to identify sustainable solutions to resolve the ocean’s challenges.

We want to enable brilliant minds to capture the opportunities new technologies bring, to develop sustainable solutions and business leveraging technology, ocean resources and circular economy principles.

Our vision is to usher the next generation of blue tech innovation – protecting the Oceans and developing a prosperous and sustainable Ocean Economy.

Our mission is to encourage, capture and transform early stage ideas into leads that attract relevant accelerators and investors.

OCC enables the design and launch of solutions benefiting preservation of our oceans and sustainable utilization of ocean resources and development of ocean communities.

Be part of the solution!

While established on the coast of Portugal, we are a global challenge that invites you as a global citizen to part-take in solving these global issues.

ABOUT US

We are looking for prototype solutions that build synergies across

Ocean Resources

Technology
Circular Economy Principles

Submit your ideas in one of the following categories:

3. ENERGY

The Ocean is an immense source of Energy. We are looking for solutions making sustainable use of natural elements through technologies such as wave power, offshore wind or floating solar panels.

1. OCEAN CONSERVATION

The health of our Oceans and the ecosystems that are sustained within it are sensitive to human interference. We are looking for solutions that:

(1) rebuild marine life in order to retain the rich biodiversity that the ocean naturally has. A good place to start could be through innovations that lead to the restoration of coral reefs, replenishment of fish stocks and seaweed.

(2) tackle poor waste management and large sources of pollution so

(a) proactively hinder waste and pollution from entering our oceans;

(b) remove, map and monitor the waste and pollution that exists in our ocean;

2. OCEAN HARVESTING

The Ocean is a major source of nutrition as well a potential source for smart material & fabrics. We are looking for solutions contributing to a sustainable and non-invasive relationship with our Oceans. This can be achieved through innovative ways of collecting clean and fresh water, exploring algae as a source of protein and sustainable harvesting of marine resources

4. MOBILITY

Mobility accounts for a major part of the ecological footprint. We are looking for solutions that reduce the adverse impacts on our oceans created by shipping and ports, commercial transportation and private transportation.

5. OCEAN DATA

What is not measured cannot be managed. We are looking for solutions contributing to human understanding of our Oceans, and life in it. A good place to start could be through more efficient methods mapping and monitoring the ocean according to the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

6. OPEN

Free your imagination! Submit your own ideas on how to create value in new ways benefitting the ocean. The category Open is for all types of solutions not falling into the 5 previous others, but the solutions must build on synergies across ocean resources, technology and circular economy principles.

How it works

SIGN-UP TO SLACK

BUILD PROTOTYPE

&

PREPARE SUBMISSION

SUBMISSIONS

CLOSURE

FINALISTS ANNOUNCEMENT

FINAL EVENT &

WINNERS ANNOUNCEMENT

15th October 2021

29th October 2021

26th November 2021

GUIDELINES

Awards

THE EXPERIENCE

Enrolling in the Ocean Community Challenge means joining a community of ocean entrepreneurs and innovators offering an invaluable opportunity to connect and network with like-minded with a common goal to address ocean challenges. All participants in scope will receive professional feedback based on an evaluation of their ideas.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The best solution teams will be assigned a dedicated business mentor to help develop their idea and prepare for the final pitch session. They will also get the opportunity to pitch to an angel investor panel providing real-time feedback on their solution.

THE PRIZE

The awarded teams will be invited to the Winners’ Circle including tailored activities to support further development of their solutions. The prize also includes a monetary award of in total 5000 € to be distributed between the teams at OCC discretion.