Ocean Exchange is a nonprofit organization “with the sole mission to help advance the adoption of solutions in the field of sustainability.” Over the last decade, Ocean Exchange has given over $1.5 million “in non-dilutive grants to startups as seed funding, typically at the pre-revenue stage.” In 2021, they are hitting their 10th anniversary milestone having distributed $100,000 and $10,000 grants to startups sold to such companies as Boeing and others employed in Hurricane Sandy restoration efforts.
To celebrate their big anniversary, Ocean Exchange has been creating webcasts in partnership with the Marine Technology Society. These segments feature past winners and finalists, highlighting stories and ideas in sustainability-focused tech. Their last awards (in 2019) were given to a battery to store renewable energy, a solution for recycling CO2, and a compostable, plastic-alternative packaging company. Check out their full list of 2019 Broward College Innovation Award finalists for some amazing and exciting ideas.
A couple of years ago, Ocean Exchange partnered with the Marine Research Hub in my locale of Fort Lauderdale. Bob Swindell, president of the Marine Research Hub and CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, stated:
We believe that the combination of university research, economic development, and start-up funding will become a successful model for the country as we strive toward finding marketable solutions to the world’s most challenging problems.
Ocean Exchange’s location in Fort Lauderdale will enable greater collaboration between some of the best oceanographic research facilities and the private sector to positively impact humanity, oceans, and ocean life. Just imagine the potential when organizations like this partner with small startups and big businesses to bring the best ideas to our stickiest problems!
Reality Changing Observations:
1. What do you see as our most pressing problems in the realm of the environment and daily life?
2. Where do you think our problem-solvers can be found? How can they be supported?
3. What can you do to help support cleantech solutions to our world’s problems?
