Last week, I attended the Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA) Ecopreneur Demo Day, where 10 startups shared their solutions for a more sustainable ocean.
SOA empowers young leaders, invests in and accelerates ocean innovations, and drives global action to restore ocean health, build a sustainable blue economy, and protect the planet’s future.
Their Ecopreneur Network supports pre-seed to Series A companies with market-driven innovations that restore our oceans’ health.
The key theme I noticed from the presentations: these solutions don’t just help the ocean, they solve real pain points for industries, with some of the startups already cash-flow positive.
Here are the 10 companies who showcased:
INVERSA removes harmful invasive species like lionfish to help restore ecosystems, then turns those species into high-quality leathers that can be used in existing supply chains in the fashion industry. This approach helps protect biodiversity while creating useful products instead of waste.
INVERSA Lionfish leather.
Dispatch Goods helps brands switch from single-use to reusable packaging by managing everything needed to make it work, from returns and cleaning to supplying the packaging. This lowers packaging costs, improves the customer experience, and keeps millions of packages out of landfills.
PierSight uses radar satellites to continuously track human activity and vessels at sea, giving a real-time picture of what’s happening across the oceans. This data helps industries like shipping, insurance, defense, and energy monitor, manage, and secure maritime operations.
Bound4Blue builds automated wind-powered sails for ships that help shipowners cut fuel use and emissions. The system installs easily on existing vessels, runs autonomously with little maintenance, and lowers operating costs by using wind to assist propulsion. Some of their clients include Maersk Tankers, Eastern Pacific Shipping, and Odfjell.
Bound4Blue eSAIL® on ship.
Ace Aquatec builds technology for fish farms that improves animal welfare and operational efficiency, from humane fish stunning to sea lice removal and monitoring systems. Their tools help aquaculture operations run more sustainably and responsibly.
DisperseBio stops biofouling—slime and organism buildup—on surfaces like ships and pipes using a nature-inspired solution that doesn’t rely on toxic chemicals. Instead of killing microbes, their technology prevents buildup from forming in the first place, making it safer for the environment and more cost-effective than traditional methods.
Oneka produces freshwater from seawater using the power of ocean waves, without relying on fossil fuels or the electrical grid. Their floating systems provide a low-impact, scalable way for coastal communities and industries to access clean water while protecting marine life.
Marblis Primitives designs new bio-based materials that tackle environmental problems and help restore ecosystems, currently using invasive sea urchins as a key input. Their products, including stone-like surfaces for buildings, are engineered to work with natural systems while meeting modern design and performance needs.
Marblis Urchinite, made from a natural mineral in purple sea urchin shells.
Hohonu provides accurate water-level monitoring and flood forecasts so communities can better prepare for and respond to floods. Using advanced sensors and data analysis, they turn water data into actionable insights to help protect people and manage climate risks.
Carbon Ridge helps ships cut carbon emissions by capturing and storing CO₂ directly onboard. Their solution offers a cost-effective way for the maritime industry to reduce its greenhouse gas impact.
These startups are proof that saving the ocean and building a thriving blue economy don’t have to be mutually exclusive. Each one addresses real-world challenges while creating measurable impact for both industry and the planet.
🟦 Thanks for reading Blue Tide! If there are upcoming events, webinars, or ocean-focused innovations you think we should cover, reach out and let me know.
