Ocean Impact Organisation (OIO), co-founded by entrepreneur Nick Chiarelli and
environmentalist Tim Silverwood (ex CEO, Take 3 for the Sea), have announced The Ocean
Impact Pitchfest 2020, a virtual event calling for applications from startups and scalable
businesses working to create a positive impact on the ocean.
The finalists, runners up and winner of Pitchfest will share in over $150,000 of cash and support
and join Australia’s first ocean impact ecosystem and startup accelerator.
“The event aims to discover, showcase and celebrate innovations and innovators with the
passion, drive and potential to have a significant positive impact on Planet Ocean“ says OIO
Co-Founder Tim Silverwood.
In collaboration with OIO’s Pitchfest Partner Network including: Bank Australia, Deloitte, WWF
and Patagonia, the event focuses on the 2020 UN World Oceans Day theme of ‘Innovation for a
Sustainable Ocean’ and seeks to cultivate the next generation of ‘Ocean Impact’ innovators.
While entrants must address one or more of the six Ocean Impact themes including Ocean
Health, Ocean Harvesting, Transportation & Security, Ocean Energy, Inspiration & Leisure and
New Frontiers, co-founder Tim Silverwood is explicit that positive ocean impact is not limited to
ocean industries.
By 2025 Australia’s marine industries are estimated to contribute $100 billion per annum to our economy, with the ocean economy predicted to grow three times faster than Australia’s GDP.
“Ocean impact can originate on land, long distances upstream from the ocean, and involve
diverse industries and individuals making simple or strategic changes to new or existing
projects,” stated Silverwood.
Winners of Pitchfest 2020 will be chosen by an impressive multidisciplinary panel of expert
judges according to various criteria including potential for ocean impact, level of innovation,
market fit, competitive advantage, a great team, and strength of business plan.
The Pitchfest Winner will receive a $15,000 cash prize provided by major event partner Bank Australia, as well as an OIO Support Package worth over $50,000 which includes: personal mentoring, legal & accounting support, customer discovery, storytelling & branding, communications and more.
Additionally, two runners up and seven finalists will share in over $100,000 worth of products
and services contributed by the OIO Partner Network, with the runners up also receiving
personal mentoring.
Ocean Impact Organisation aims to establish Australia as a world leader in ocean solutions and
drive significant investment into ocean impact ventures within the next five years. As well as
boosting investment, OIO intends to generate a movement of action, asserting that multifaceted
challenges require multifaceted, creative solutions.
As an island nation where 85% of the population lives within 50 km of the coast, OIO co-founder
Nick Chiarelli says Australia is in a unique position to lead the world in creating an abundant and
sustainable ocean economy.
“Australia can be, and should be, a world leader when it comes to ocean solutions and a
sustainable ocean economy. We have unmatched ocean resources and a national network of
globally respected marine industry and research organisations with world class infrastructure.
Australia is an ocean nation with all of the ingredients to be a nursery for ground-breaking ideas
and ocean solutions” – Nick Chiarelli.
Pitchfest 2020 is now accepting applications. If you’re working on an idea that could make a
positive impact on the ocean, more information and applications are available at
www.oceanimpact.org/pitchfest2020.
Applications are open from 25th August to 5th October
2020 with finalists being announced on 4th November 2020.
