Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
October 03, 2025

Ocean Exchange Names 8 Collegiate Finalists for $30K Sustainability Awards

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Original Source

TLDR

  • Ocean Exchange offers $30,000 in awards for innovative ocean solutions, providing winners funding and networking opportunities with global industry leaders.
  • Eight US collegiate finalists will present solutions in ocean sensors, biodiversity, plastic alternatives, and robotics to compete for three $10,000 awards at the October 26-28 Fort Lauderdale event.
  • These student innovations advance ocean conservation and sustainable blue economy solutions, creating a healthier marine environment for future generations worldwide.
  • Finalists include bioluminescence research from Cape Cod Community College and robotics from North Carolina State, showcasing cutting-edge student-led ocean technology innovations.

Impact - Why it Matters

This initiative matters because it directly supports the next generation of environmental innovators who are developing practical solutions to critical ocean challenges. With oceans facing unprecedented threats from pollution, climate change, and biodiversity loss, these student-led projects represent tangible hope for addressing marine conservation issues. The competition not only provides crucial funding but also connects young innovators with industry leaders who can help scale their solutions globally. Supporting such grassroots innovation is essential for developing the sustainable technologies needed to protect marine ecosystems that regulate our climate, provide food security, and support coastal economies worldwide.

Summary

Ocean Exchange, a global leader in accelerating innovative solutions for healthy oceans and the sustainable blue economy, has announced eight collegiate finalists competing for three $10,000 awards at their upcoming October 26-28 event in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This milestone marks the 10th anniversary of the Ocean Exchange Collegiate Awards program, with all finalists representing US universities and institutions. The competing teams span diverse environmental innovation categories including ocean sensors, biodiversity measurement, plastic alternatives, aquaculture and fishery management, robotics, and artificial intelligence, showcasing the breadth of student-led environmental solutions.

The finalist lineup includes Bioluminescence from Cape Cod Community College/WHOI, HBS Lab UTD from University of Texas Dallas, Ignition Packaging from University of Florida, MADEIN U.S.T.A. LLC from Georgia Southern University, OctaPule from Carnegie Mellon University, SLA Robotics from North Carolina State University, SWPT from University of Rhode Island, and The Leatherback Project from University of Central Florida. Winners will be selected by a diverse panel of delegates representing business, academia, government, and nonprofit sectors based on impact, innovation level, and execution capability. The Ocean Exchange website provides comprehensive details about the event and organization's broader mission to accelerate sustainable ocean solutions through global collaboration.

According to Ocean Exchange CEO Millicent Pitts, these awards have become "wildly popular" within the ocean community for both the student innovation and the opportunity to engage directly with the next generation of environmental leaders. The Guy Harvey Foundation, which sponsors one of the three $10,000 awards, emphasizes education as a core component of their ocean conservation mission. Foundation CEO Jessica Harvey expressed excitement about how these "bright, creative, enthusiastic innovators and entrepreneurs" are tackling global environmental challenges. The event brings finalists to Florida to pitch their solutions and network with international leaders gathered from around the world, creating valuable connections that could accelerate the implementation of their environmental innovations.

Source Statement

This curated news summary relied on content disributed by citybiz. Read the original source here, Ocean Exchange Names 8 Collegiate Finalists for $30K Sustainability Awards

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