Esther Githinji
- @EstherGithinji
- | She/Her
WILDLABS
Fauna & Flora
About the Competition
TONOMUS, a world-leading technology enterprise powering the world’s first ecosystem of cognitive technologies at NEOM, is partnering with WAVE to offer a once-in-a-generation opportunity for purpose-driven entrepreneurs—and our oceans.
Winning teams will be invited to join the TONOMUS Venture Studio, where you’ll receive resources and support from Silicon Valley experts as you launch your new venture—and also gain the chance to test your idea with TONOMUS.
SUBMISSION START: February 19, 2024
SUBMISSION CLOSE: March 29, 2024
Who should submit an idea or venture?
- The Venture Competitions are designed for existing early-stage startups, marine and ocean researchers, experienced entrepreneurs, and anyone with an entrepreneurial spirit who wants to launch new solutions that safeguard and enhance the oceans.
- Project71 is looking for venture ideas that leverage technologies, especially those with digital, cognitive, and predictive elements that address the ocean’s greatest challenges. Each submission should address at least one of the impact goals of the competition.
- YOU HAVE A GREAT IDEA AND WANT TO BUILD IT.
If you have a novel idea for a commercially viable solution that promotes ocean regeneration, submit it here - YOU HAVE AN EXISTING STARTUP OR TECHNOLOGY.
If you have an existing early-stage startup with a prototype or minimum viable product (MVP), you’ll have the chance to receive our customized acceleration support—submit it here
Goals
To help promote global ocean regeneration, they’re focusing on five key impact goals that closely align with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals for marine resources. The most competitive venture submissions will apply to one or more of the following priorities:
RESTORE MARINE LIFE
Accelerating conservation, restoration, and rewilding of coastal ecosystems and species.
CATALYZE THE BLUE ECONOMY
Deploying and accelerating adoption of regenerative ocean-based solutions for food, energy, climate, tourism, transport, logistics, health and wellbeing, and more.
ALLEVIATE OCEAN PRESSURES
Addressing ocean pressures—pollution of all forms, climate change, and more—and enhancing the capacity of humans and nature to withstand and recover from related stressors.
MOBILIZE COLLECTIVE ACTION
Raising awareness, building ocean empathy, and mobilizing diverse stakeholders to collectively take action and advocate for ocean regeneration.
REIMAGINE MARKETS AND GOVERNANCE
Inspiring regenerative business practices and reimagining finance and governance systems with ocean regeneration at the heart of decision making.
Challenge Statements
There are many pathways to achieve their impact goals, but they’re focusing on areas with the most potential for change. Explore the competition challenge statements below to jumpstart your inspiration.
- Regenerative Fishing
- How to launch technologies that promote regenerative fishing practices to restore marine populations, optimize output, and rebalance coastal ecosystems?
- Regenerative Aquaculture & Seafood Production
- How to leverage technology that boosts the health and quality of farmed seafood, increases feed conversion efficiency, enhances biodiversity, and reduces the environmental impact of on- and off-shore aquaculture farms?
- Regenerative Tourism and Recreation
- How to build digital platforms that inspire the responsible travel and recreation of coastal destinations; engage eco-tourists in ocean regeneration initiatives; and improve the local land, oceans, communities, and economies that these invaluable marine environments support?
- Tackling Ocean Pollution
- How to integrate technology to reduce the amount of plastics, chemicals, fertilizers, and other pollution entering the oceans; remove the waste that is already present; and ensure cleaner oceans for future generations?
- Ocean Intelligence
- How to harness ocean data, analytics, and other cognitive elements, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, to monitor ocean changes, and then manage, track, and improve ocean-regeneration efforts to restore the seas to their natural state?
- Regenerative Blue Economy
- How to accelerate technology-based ventures that provide new tools and enablers to disrupt current ocean-depleting practices, support regenerative fishing and aquaculture, spark local and regional economic growth, catalyze investments, and create quality jobs across multiple sectors in order to rebalance the ocean ecosystems?
- How to accelerate technology-based ventures that provide new tools and enablers to disrupt current ocean-depleting practices, support regenerative fishing and aquaculture, spark local and regional economic growth, catalyze investments, and create quality jobs across multiple sectors in order to rebalance the ocean ecosystems?