Sustainable Ocean Alliance Celebrates 10 Years with New Ecopreneur Program

A Decade of Innovation for Ocean Sustainability

For the past ten years, the Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA) has evolved from a grassroots movement initiated by students to a substantial global network. This network comprises experts, investors, and dedicated “ecopreneurs” who collectively champion innovation as the most effective path towards restoring the health of our oceans. Throughout this journey, Founder Daniela Fernandez has provided consistent leadership, and the SOA is now poised for its next significant advancement.

Embracing the Startup Economy

Since its inception in 2014, the SOA has adopted an approach to the climate crisis that recognizes the potential of the burgeoning startup economy. Fernandez explained to TechCrunch that, previously, entrepreneurship and innovation were largely overlooked as potential solutions within this field.

She emphasized that this represents an area ripe for investment, stating, “Collectively we’ve deployed almost half a billion into this space.”

Gaining Momentum Through Optimism

Initially, gaining acceptance for this concept required time and effort. However, Fernandez’s unwavering optimism and enthusiasm attracted influential investors, including the Benioffs, and inspired a multitude of young individuals eager to contribute to positive change.

The Economic Perspective

Fernandez consistently frames the issue through an economic lens. She believes that sustainable alternatives to existing companies or sectors, which simultaneously generate profit, are key to driving societal shifts.

These alternatives are already available, and the focus now is on accelerating their growth, establishing them as the standard, and securing the necessary capital to support this expanding market.

From Advocacy to Active Participation

The organization transitioned from solely advocating for change to actively participating in the market through its accelerator program. This program has assisted numerous companies in progressing from the pre-seed stage to full commercialization.

Focusing on Key Impact Areas

As the SOA matured, it identified specific categories offering the greatest potential for widespread impact. These include Greenhouse Gas Reduction, Pollution Reduction, Ecosystems and Species preservation, Blue Foods, and advancements in Ocean Data, Literacy, & Research.

The program’s structure has also evolved, shifting from basic startup guidance with a conservation focus to prioritizing crucial connections and presenting compelling data to potential stakeholders.

Providing Lifetime Support

Fernandez noted a change in the needs of the companies they support. “Early on, a lot of these companies were just interested in understanding what the ocean ecosystem needed from them,” she said. “Now that we’ve in essence institutionalized the SOA as a leading organization in this space, it’s more about lifetime support for these companies.”

She further explained that the SOA now functions as a valuable association, opening doors for founders and connecting them with capital sources that may not be readily apparent to other incubators or industry groups.

Measuring Ocean Impact

The organization has also focused on quantifying the impact of its supported companies. “One of our competitive advantages is we created the industry’s first ocean impact assessment, a framework to assess the effect these startups were having in the world,” Fernandez stated.

Introducing the Ocean Solution Label

This data-driven approach led to the development of the new Ocean Solution Label. This label isn’t merely a symbolic endorsement; it involves a thorough evaluation of a company’s practices and their measurable impact on the ecosystem.

The goal is to identify companies and products that demonstrably contribute to a significant positive change, exceeding minimal standards of environmental responsibility. This initiative is in collaboration with the Solar Impulse Foundation, which has a similar program for sustainable technologies.

Attracting Investment

“The primary target is investors,” Fernandez clarified. “We need to start signaling and moving more capital into this space.” She noted that investors are increasingly seeking ocean-related investments and facing pressure from their Limited Partners (LPs) to prioritize impact.

However, she cautioned against “blue washing,” where companies exaggerate their environmental benefits. The Ocean Solution Label aims to provide a rigorous assessment of impact, ensuring that only companies with substantial positive contributions receive the designation.

A New Cohort of Ecopreneurs

The latest group of startups joining the Ecopreneur system includes:

• Oneka Technologies (innovative desalination buoys)
• Genevos (integration of hydrogen and fuel cell power systems for maritime applications)
• Vlinder (mangrove restoration and carbon credit initiatives focused on supporting marginalized communities)
• Phycolabs (development of biofibers derived from seaweed)
• INVERSA (production of leather from invasive species)
• Koraï Africa (marine biodiversity consulting and restoration services)
• SeaVoir (algae-based health supplements)
• PierSight Space (utilizing satellite imaging for ocean monitoring)

Fernandez hinted at further structural changes coming to the SOA. However, she expressed her greatest satisfaction with the sheer scale of the organization, considering its humble beginnings as a project spearheaded by herself.