The World Ocean Council (WOC) and The Ocean Opportunity Lab (TOOL) are collaborating to launch a global competition focused on innovative solutions and technologies to address marine biofouling. These solutions can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and restore biodiversity in our ocean and coastal areas.
About the Biofouling Innovation Competition
- Open to startups, innovators, researchers and collaborative initiatives (established corporates cannot participate)
- Submissions will be accepted in 3 general categories: Anti-Fouling Systems, Surface Cleaning & Maintenance, Monitoring Biofouling & Measuring Performance
- Solutions can be for any maritime industry or infrastructure affected by biofouling (e.g., ships, port infrastructure, aquaculture)
- Less mature solutions with strong potential for breakthrough innovation will also be considered
- Selected proposals will participate in the pitchfest during WOC’s Sustainable Ocean Summit in October
- Proposals from each category will also be featured on the TOOL Project Platform, TOOL Spawn, as Solutions to Watch
- Deadline for submissions is July 30
➢APPLY HERE
For more information, contact Mikus Villeruss, Coordinator of the Biofouling Innovation Challenge, at coral@toolspawn.com or visit the TOOL blog.
Information Session
Biofouling Innovation Challenge: Investor Insights & Last Call To Apply
Thu, Jul 21 | 8-9:30 am EDT
In this session:
- Investors discussion about importance of funding biofouling solutions
- Introduction of jury members
- Stories from first applicants about what motivated them to apply
- Q&A
The Zoom link for this event will soon be available here: https://bit.ly/3NNDLJs
Competition Jury
- Nina Blöcher – SINTEF Ocean, Senior Research Scientist
- Geoffrey Swain – Florida Institute of Technology, Professor of oceanography and ocean engineering
- Serena Teo – National University of Singapore, Senior Research Fellow
- Oliver Floerl – Cawthron, Biosecurity Team Leader
- John Lewis – IMarEST, Chair, Biofouling management SIG
- Lina Ceballos – California State Lands Commission, Senior Environmental Scientist at California State Lands Commission
- Nina Jensen – REV Ocean, CEO
- Fredrik Myhre – WWF, Team Leader Oceans
- Runa Skarbø – Bellona Foundation, Senior Advisor Maritime & Shipping, lead for the Clean Hull Initiative (CHI)
Past Biofouling Challenge Info Sessions
To learn more, join the discussion during one of two virtual launch events:
For more information about the competition, visit TOOL Spawn.
You can also register to join one of two launch events that will be held on 19 May 2022:
