“This year’s event marks the 10th anniversary of the Ocean Exchange Collegiate awards. All eight of the finalists are from US universities and post-secondary institutions. Solutions fall into the following categories: ocean sensors, biodiversity measurement, plastic alternatives, aquaculture and fishery management, robotics, and AI.
Finalists include:
- Bioluminescence, Cape Cod Community College/WHOI
- HBS Lab UTD, University of Texas Dallas
- Ignition Packaging, University of Florida
- MADEIN U.S.T.A. LLC, Georgia Southern University
- OctaPule, Carnegie Mellon University
- SLA Robotics, North Carolina State University
- SWPT, University of Rhode Island
- The Leatherback Project, University of Central Florida
The three winners will be chosen—based on the impact, level of innovation, and the ability to execute the presented solution—by delegates representing business, academia, government, and nonprofits.
The Ocean Exchange Collegiate Awards Program is made possible by the support of sponsors, partners and leading industry experts from around the globe. “These awards are wildly popular with our ocean community, not just about the student-led innovation but about the ability to personally engage with and be inspired by the next generation,” noted Millicent Pitts, Executive Director of Ocean Exchange. Ocean Exchange brings the finalists to Fort Lauderdale to pitch in front of and network with the leaders who gather in South Florida from around the world.
“Our mission is to better understand and conserve the ocean environment,” said Guy Harvey Foundation CEO Jessica Harvey. “That is why education is a key focus globally for us. It’s so exciting to see how these bright, creative, enthusiastic innovators and entrepreneurs are working to solve the world’s environmental challenges.”
For more information about the event and Ocean Exchange’s mission, visit Ocean Exchange website.
