You can not swing a cat in the Bay Area without touching a startup accelerator or another, but it can be difficult to find one with a mission. This is the easy part with the Ocean Solutions Accelerator, a new program that aims to help start-ups in the field of technology and conservation … you guessed it, the big Blue. They are now accepting applications for their first wave of companies this summer.
The accelerator is part of the non-profit Sustainable Ocean Alliance, whose CEO and founder, Daniela Fernandez, met him at TechCrunch Disrupt SF in September. It was in the plans then, and the program was announced soon after, but only now the team is ready to open it to applications.
If you work on a device, a service, a platform or any other item that you think might help protect or improve our oceans, but that it needs a little bit of Love and expertise, this can be an excellent opportunity.
Example of an ocean-based technological start-up: CoralVita, which grows and transplants healthy corals.
"We believe that young entrepreneurs have the creativity, optimism and ambition needed to tackle the greatest threats to the planet," Fernandez said in the statement. press announcing the new accelerator. "Our generation understands that maintaining the health of the environment is not only a moral responsibility but also an opportunity to create profitable businesses that can revolutionize our world."
This is a 12-week program that lasts from June to August, making it a good option for students and other academics who might have a busy schedule otherwise; SOA is generally youth oriented, so it makes sense for the accelerator to adapt to it.
Group photo of a recent SOA summit. They seem to enjoy themselves.
The plan is, like other accelerators and incubators, "to help entrepreneurs at the idea stage or prototyping to manufacture their products," as the company did. said co-founder Craig Dudenhoeffer. But having a specific category, a market or, in this case, the biome in mind, makes mentoring, relationships, classes, and so on. much more efficient.
The SOA has formed an international group of academics, startups, government officials and other useful contacts, many of whom will be involved either in the program or in the program. audience the day of the demo (August 30 – put it on your calendar).
Starting today, you, the ocean lover, have a month (until February 17, in other words) to submit your business. , your product or your idea at the accelerator for the 10 available slots. They hope to see it by March, in time for the World Ocean Summit of the Economist.
Equity is of course the motto of the time, and the Ocean Solutions Accelerator is a little different here: the selected startups will receive an initial capital investment to cover the costs of moving in. the Bay Area for the duration of the program, and the possibility of an additional investment of $ 150,000 is also on the table for those who are motivated to seek it.
My favorite part of the press release is the valuation of the ocean. I've usually heard that in the sites – mobile apps are however a multi-billion dollar market and so on. But it takes the cake:
Priced at $ 24 trillion and being the largest source of protein in the world for more than 3 billion people, the ocean supports global industries such as fishing, tourism, shipping and offshore energy.
$ 24 trillion, do you say? Maybe it's worth saving after all. It would be a shame to leave so much money on the table.
Image of hotel: takahashi_4 / Shutterstock