Applications are now open for the fourth edition of the Monaco Ocean Protection Challenge in June, giving young entrepreneurial environmentalists a chance to create a business tackling the problems faced by the oceans. 

The Monaco Ocean Protection Challenge is a business concept pitching competition organised by the Oceanographic Institute of Monaco, the International University of Monaco, Monaco Impact and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation. It began in 2018 as a way to involve young people in creating sustainable businesses centred on ocean protection and awareness.

This year’s competition takes the theme ‘When Circular Economy Saves the Ocean’ and is open to university undergraduates, post-bachelor students and young entrepreneurs who are five years or less out of school, and who have or will have a company created after January 2020. Competitors must be English speakers who have ideas that will positively impact the seas and are willing to participate in the implementation of their ideas if selected by the jury.

To be considered, the applicant submits a business plan, a timeline of milestones in project development and a one minute video presenting the concept by 7^th May.

Jurists are looking for plans that have been well-researched and relevant to today’s markets, as well as projects that can be globally implemented and that have a “measurable impact” on the oceans.

The prize and awards include a yearly induction and networking programme for the student’s category, and a check of €15,000 for the start-up’s category.

In May, jurists will choose three finalist teams from each category. The six finalist teams will be invited to Monaco for the finals on 16^th June where they will be asked to present their plans intended to make the world a better place to live.

Previous winners include Elynn Yaoting Liu, who found a way to address inflatable balloon pollution, and Juan Felipe del Campo Guerreo and Julien Piveteau who created a phone case made of recycled ocean waste.

For more information visit: https://www.monaco-opc.com
 
Photo source: Pixabay