Ocean Changemakers Challenge 2025 is sponsored by Ocean Changemakers. This opportunity supports mission-aligned projects and measurable outcomes.

2025 Ocean Changemakers Challenge: The next wave of innovators 2025 Ocean Changemakers Challenge: The next wave of innovators Are you developing innovative solutions for a sustainable ocean economy? Apply to be an Ocean Changemaker and showcase your ideas on a global stage. Got a game-changing idea for a sustainable ocean economy?

This is your shot! The 2025 Ocean Changemakers Challenge is on, calling early-stage ocean innovators worldwide to showcase solutions that drive both ocean health and economic growth. It’s time to take the stage, share your vision, and make waves in the fight for our blue planet.

For its fifth anniversary, the Challenge is back. Three inspiring innovators will join the ranks of Ocean Changemakers—a community committed to transforming our oceans while building sustainable, resilient businesses.

Last year’s winners included RRReefs who are rebuilding coral reefs with an innovative modular reef system; SOS Carbon who are developing technologies to fight climate change cost-effectively and sustainably and Water Warriors who are adsorbing nutrient contamination from water. Each winner was paired with an ocean leader who is supporting them with developing their businesses so they can scale and become successful.

Our ocean teems with potential, offering endless resources for a sustainable future. By entering, you’re not just developing a business—you’re on a mission to preserve marine ecosystems and support communities that depend on them. Your innovations could shape global policy, revamp industries, and kickstart a tidal wave of change.

If your solution rises to the top, you’ll receive expert mentorship and the chance to present your project on a global platform during the Economist Impact’s 2025 World Ocean Summit. We'll get you started on your application right away!

Founder and chief executive, ZESTAs Madadh MacLaine is founder and chief executive of Zero Emissions Maritime Technology (ZEM-Tech), secretary general of the Zero Emissions Ship Technology Association (ZESTAs), co-founder of the International Windships Association (IWSA), and founder director of Fair Winds Trust, a sustainable-development NGO.

Ms MacLaine has a background in hydrogen water electrolysis and maritime systems, having represented ITM Power in the maritime industry. Chief executive, Katapult Ocean Jonas is the chief executive of Katapult Ocean and chief investment officer at Katapult. Katapult Ocean, based in Oslo, is the most active ocean impact venture fund globally, supporting 75 ocean impact ventures.

Jonas has 18 years of experience in global asset management and investments. He joined Katapult five years ago after co founding a successful sustainable investing hedge fund, CARN Capital. Jonas serves on the board of the Norwegian Advisory Board for Impact Investing and Ocean Rainforest.

Innovative solutions within the ocean industries are amongst the greatest opportunities for impact seeking climate investors - Jonas United Nations Global Compact Suzanne is a senior advisor to the UN Global Compact and its work to advance a more sustainable ocean economy where she oversees the Ocean Sustainable Finance efforts.

She is also head of the Lloyd's Register Foundation's Sustainability Program and sits on the Lloyd's Register Advisory Board. She has wide ranging experience in the energy sector, having previously worked for energy and water companies in government and regulatory affairs, investor relations and finance. Suzanne is interested in advancing the private sector’s contribution towards the Sustainable Development Goals.

Innovative solutions within the ocean industries are amongst the greatest opportunities for impact seeking climate investors - Jonas To enter the Ocean Changemakers challenge, applicants need to submit a short video of no longer than 1 minute in which they address the following questions: “How are you contributing to the sustainable development of the blue economy? How would you benefit from an ocean leader as a mentor?

” By “blue economy” we mean a sustainable ocean economy that harnesses marine ocean resources for long-term economic development and social prosperity while protecting the environment in perpetuity. The video should highlight how your work or academic study is creating innovative, viable, scalable and action-oriented business solutions that will support the development of a sustainable blue economy.

We seek ingenious solutions that strike a harmonious balance between economic growth and environmental stewardship. The Ocean Changemakers challenge massively expanded our network. It provided international travel and speaking opportunities as well as relationships with people that have carried on to become friends.

Tom Loefler, founder & CEO, Hullbot, Ocean Changemaker 2023. The video should be sent as an unlisted video link on YouTube or Vimeo, or uploaded in a common video format, such as AVCHD, AVI, FLV, MKV, MOV, MP4, WEBM or WMV.

Three finalists will be announced on Economist Impact’s World Ocean Initiative website and will have the option to present their business idea and vision for a blue economy during a special ocean changemakers session at the World Oceans Summit & Expo in Tokyo, in March 2025.

To help bring the changemakers’ ideas to life, they will receive guidance from a renowned ocean leader as part of a 12-month mentorship programme that will begin shortly before the summit. The Ocean Changemakers challenge massively expanded our network. It provided international travel and speaking opportunities as well as relationships with people that have carried on to become friends.

- Tom Loefler, founder & CEO, Hullbot, Ocean Changemaker 2023. We welcome all early-stage innovators, whether you are an environmental scientist, a tech enthusiast, a social entrepreneur, or a business strategist— your unique perspective is invaluable. We strongly encourage applications from individuals who have played a part in their local communities to drive change and may have innovative solutions to offer.

Proposals should address challenges such as plastic pollution, overfishing, climate change impacts, and the sustainable use of marine resources. Think beyond conventional boundaries and present ideas that are not only viable but also scalable and adaptable to diverse global contexts.

Applicants will be judged according to how well their ideas meet the following criteria: Impact on blue economy: clear link with sustainable development of the ocean; Innovative: original idea—or clear improvement on an existing idea—focused on progress; Viable: should be feasible in the medium to long-term; Scalable: can be scaled up and applied in different contexts; Investable: offers opportunities for growth.

We'll get you started on your application right away! Winning entries: the road to Tokyo!

The judges will select three winning applicants, each of whom will receive: An opportunity to present the innovation virtually or in-person at the World Ocean Summit in Tokyo in March 2025 during a session to an audience representing the widest cross-section of the ocean community from business and finance to government, national and international policy-makers, civil society and academia; Mentoring from a high-profile ocean expert, who will work with them over a 12-month period to help refine their ideas and shape their leadership skills.

Frequently Asked Questions I’m not a student or a young professional. Can I take part? Yes, we are looking for anyone who is working towards innovative, viable, scalable and investable ideas with a positive impact on the blue economy.

If you think your project could benefit from the mentorship programme, please send us your pitch. What happens between the announcement of finalists and their presentations at the World Ocean Summit? The three finalists will be notified and invited to present (virtually or in-person) at the World Ocean Summit & Expo in Tokyo in March 2025, where they will be publicly announced.

There will be a Ocean Changemakers session that will formally mark the start of the mentorship period. We will provide mentors and mentees with a mentorship pack to help them prepare, and both parties will agree on when and how to communicate for their mentorship sessions. Winners will also be announced and featured in pre-summit promotional materials, such as the World Ocean Initiative newsletter.

I am not available or willing to take part in the changemakers session taking place in Tokyo in March 2025. Can I still take part? Unfortunately, finalists are required to present (virtually or in-person) at the summit in order to present their ideas at the World Ocean Summit & Expo.

Please note we cannot pay for the winners to travel to Japan. All winners must cover their own travel and accommodation costs in Japan if they want to attend in person. Please read the terms and conditions.

If you have any questions about the challenge please check the FAQs above. If you cannot find an answer to your query, email [email protected] .

Sustainable Ocean Economy SOS Carbon: riding the wave of change six months after Ocean Changemakers scaling sargassum solutions and building a sustainable blue bioeconomy Sustainable Ocean Economy Reef revival: scaling up for a brighter ocean future How rrreefs (Ocean Changemakers winner 2024) is using innovative technology and community engagement to rebuild coral reefs and restore marine biodiversity.

Sustainable Ocean Economy Scaling solutions for Water Warriors Navigating success and tackling global water challenges six months after Ocean Changemakers Sustainable Ocean Economy Winners announced for Ocean Changemakers Challenge 2024: the next wave of innovators Three promising innovators, leading the way for a sustainable ocean economy, have won this year’s Economist Impact’s World Ocean Initiative (WOI) Ocean Changemakers Challenge.