Ocean Exchange Awards

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Enriched accelerator · Found: 2026-03-10 22:06

Three USD 100,000 non-dilutive awards for ocean innovation: Wallenius Wilhelmsen Orcelle Award, two Neptune Awards, plus Ocean Enterprise Award. Also two USD 10,000 Collegiate Awards. Annual event in October.

Source: https://www.oceanexchange.org/awards/

Funding Details

Funder: Ocean Exchange
Funding Goal: To accelerate the adoption of innovative solutions for healthy oceans and the sustainable Blue Economy. Awards recognize and support companies developing breakthrough technologies and solutions across ocean sustainability, marine habitat, fisheries, vessel/port operations, water treatment, alternative materials, CO2 reduction, data/robotics, and digitalization.
Funding Amount: Three USD 100,000 Neptune Awards (non-dilutive) per cycle; two USD 10,000 Collegiate Awards; one Ocean Enterprise Award (amount not specified); evaluated annually (up to 100.000 €)
Deadline: 2026-08-07 (Fixed)
How to Apply: Register online via f6s.com portals by region: Asia & Oceania (June 22), Europe/Middle East/Africa (July 10), Americas (August 7). Collegiate Awards open June 12, deadline late September 2026. Finalists announced and present in person at Ocean Exchange event, October 25-27, 2026 in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Target Region: Global (regional submission portals for Asia & Oceania, Europe/Middle East/Africa, Americas)
Contact: Contact form available at https://www.oceanexchange.org/contact/
Last Checked: 2026-05-07 05:37

Application Checklist

Eligibility

Must be a company or startup (for-profit or non-profit) with a legal entity and employee in the declared region
Collegiate Awards require the company to be led by an undergraduate or graduate student

Project Scope

Solution must address ocean sustainability, Blue Economy, or marine health
Solution should be innovative, have measurable impact, and demonstrate execution capability

Constraints

Finalists must travel to Fort Lauderdale, FL for in-person presentations at the annual event
Regional submission portals have different deadlines (June 22 / July 10 / August 7 for 2026 main awards)

Summary

The Ocean Exchange Awards programme is an annual international competition that recognises and financially supports pioneering companies developing innovative solutions for ocean health and the sustainable Blue Economy. The programme was established in 2011 and has grown to become a leading platform connecting innovators with investors, corporations, and ocean experts from around the world. Thematic scope covers a wide range of ocean-related technology categories including alternative materials, CO2 reduction and sequestration, data and robotics, digitalization, energy, fisheries and marine habitat, vessel and port operations, water treatment, and ocean monitoring. There is no dedicated plastic waste or circular economy track, but solutions addressing marine pollution and ecosystem health are eligible. Eligible activities encompass the development and commercialization of breakthrough technologies and solutions that advance ocean sustainability. The programme funds market-ready or near-market innovations delivered primarily by companies (for-profit startups and technology firms), not traditional NGOs or research institutions. The Ocean Enterprise Award targets more established companies, while Collegiate Awards target student-led early-stage ventures. Geographic scope is global, with applicants registering through regional portals covering Asia & Oceania, Europe/Middle East/Africa, and the Americas. The annual event takes place in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where finalists present in person to voting delegates from business, academia, government, and non-profits. Eligible applicants include companies and startups globally. The Collegiate Award specifically targets undergraduate and graduate student-led ventures. Non-profits may apply but the programme is primarily designed for commercial innovation entities. Applicants must have a legal entity and employee in the declared region. The awards are non-dilutive cash prizes: three Neptune Awards of USD 100,000 each, one Ocean Enterprise Award (amount unspecified), and two Collegiate Awards of USD 10,000 each. No co-funding requirements are stated.

Historical Context

Ocean Exchange has been operating since 2011 (2025 was the 13th event). Over 150 nominations received in 2025. Annual event in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Previously awarded Wallenius Wilhelmsen Orcelle Award (now replaced by Ocean Enterprise Award structure). Past winners include NeuralX, Cecilia, Orpheus Ocean. Program runs annually each autumn.

Why it was added

Non-dilutive ocean innovation awards supporting sustainable blue economy solutions and ocean data

Sources

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