Sustainable Ocean Alliance exists to propel global solutions to our ocean's greatest challenges — and to empower the leaders behind them.
Today, we share the latest news and highlights spotlighting SOA’s growing network of solutions, hubs, representatives, mentors, and more. Amplifying these stories is at the core of what we do at SOA, inspiring others to take action for the ocean within their communities and beyond.
SOA Ocean Solutions
10/28/22: Cruz Foam Secures $18M in Series A Funding Led by Helena
SOA Startup: Cruz Foam (2019 2nd Cohort)
Cruz Foam, a circular materials company providing bio-based, regenerative replacements for single-use plastic in the multi-billion dollar packaging industry, secured an $18M Series A funding round led by the problem-solving group, Helena. The round was joined by One Small Planet, Regeneration.VC, At One Ventures, SoundWaves, and SOA Seabird Ventures.
10/17/22: PlanetCare receives the national Energy Globe Award
SOA Startup: PlanetCare (2020 3rd Cohort)
PlanetCare was awarded the National Energy Globe Award for the country of Slovenia. With more than 180 participating countries, the Energy Globe Award is awarded annually to projects saving our environment through action and sustainability.
10/17/22: Dutch startup bags the Supernova Challenge at GITEX Global 2022
SOA Startup: Desolenator (2020 3rd Cohort)
Desolenator, a Dutch startup that develops solar-powered water purification technology, was announced the winner of the Supernova Challenge at North Star, securing the top prize of $100,000. The Supernova Challenge is the biggest start-up pitch competition in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. Desolenator participated in Sustainable Ocean Alliance’s 2020 Third Wave Cohort of the Ocean Solutions Accelerator Program.
10/13/22: MicroTERRA listed on HolonIQ’s 2022 Latin America Climate Tech 50
SOA Startup: MicroTERRA (2020 3rd Cohort)
MicroTERRA, a plant-based food startup developing a sustainable and affordable plant-based protein, was featured in the Latin America Climate Tech 50 – HolonIQ’s annual list of the most promising startups and entrepreneurs working in new energy, the environment, and sustainability.
10/10/22: Cruz Foam receives the Global Seafood Alliance’s inaugural Global Fisheries Innovation Award
SOA Startup: Cruz Foam (2019 2nd Cohort)
The Global Seafood Alliance named Cruz Foam the winner of the inaugural Global Fisheries Innovation Award (GFIA). Cruz Foam, a California-based company turning chitin from discarded shellfish shells into a biodegradable foam that serves as an alternative to polystyrene for shipping packaging, was the overwhelming winner of the GFIA.
SOA Ocean Hubs
10/28/22: Civil society talks with the federation that will travel to Egypt for COP27
SOA Hub: Peru
The first ever Pre-COP event in Peru was held where multiple ocean and climate civil society organizations were able to engage with the Peruvian national delegation that will be heading to Egypt for COP27. SOA Peru was one of the organizations present and several SOA Peru members are attending COP27 with the Peruvian delegation.
10/20/22: Energy Observer concludes its tour in South-East Asia in Malaysia, visits SOA Ocean Hub Malaysia
SOA Hub: Malaysia; SOA Partner: Energy Observer
The Energy Observer, the world’s first hydrogen-powered, zero-emission vessel, concluded its tour in South-East Asia in Malaysia – the vessel’s 74th stopover of its Odyssey around the world. In Langkawi, Malaysia, SOA Ocean Hub Malaysia had the opportunity to meet with Energy Observer and tour the vessel in person.
10/3/22: SOA Charleston and Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network (LMMN) co-host the Hope Summit
SOA Ocean Hub: Charleston
The Charleston chapter of Sustainable Ocean Alliance has teamed up with the Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network (LMMN) to host the Hope Summit – a hybrid conference focused on how to take action to address climate change while inspiring hope for the future.
SOA Partners
10/24/22: PlanetCare is announced as a finalist for the Ocean Impact Pitchfest 2022
SOA Startup: PlanetCare (2020 3rd Cohort); SOA Partner: Ocean Impact Organisation
The Ocean Impact Pitchfest 2022 is a global initiative to find, support, and accelerate startups working on solutions to transform ocean health. This year’s finalists include SOA Ocean Solution Accelerator Alumni PlanetCare, a UK-based startup creating laundry filters to prevent microfibers from entering our waterways and polluting our ocean.
10/1/22: Plastic Odyssey Launches Expedition from Marseille, France
SOA Partner: Plastic Odyssey
Plastic Odyssey, a first-of-its-kind 40-meter scientific exploration vessel containing a floating laboratory and recycling center, re-launched its three-year mission around the world to help local communities in climate-vulnerable countries use plastic waste as a resource.
SOA Mentors, Representatives, and More
10/27/22: Why looking after the ocean is not just a job for islanders
SOA YPAC Co-Chair: Rayne Sullivan
The Youth Policy Advisory Council (YPAC) is an international group of Young Ocean Leaders created by Sustainable Ocean Alliance that is recognized for their policy acumen and dedication to furthering environmental regulation. SOA YPAC Co-Chair, Rayne Sullivan, recently published an article with the World Economic Forum on the ecological knowledge of islanders regarding ocean health, the increased impacts of climate change in vulnerable coastal communities, and why saving our ocean is not a job that only belongs to that of islanders.
10/26/22: SWEN Capital Partners’ Blue Ocean Fund exceeds target to reach €150 million milestone
SOA Mentor: Christian Lim
SWEN Capital Partners, an investment firm for sustainable solutions, has exceeded its funding target of €120 million for its Blue Ocean Fund in its latest funding round – raising an additional €38 million from international institutional investors.
10/20/22: New venture capital fund Propeller announces $100 million in climate-tech funding
SOA Mentor: Reece Pacheco
Propeller, a climate-tech fund that invests in and builds ocean-climate companies, announced its inaugural $100 million fund to support founders looking to address the climate crisis by advancing planet-saving, ocean-based science and technology solutions. SOA Mentor Reece Pacheco is a Partner at Propeller where he focuses on investing in and supporting ocean entrepreneurs at the earliest stages of their ventures.
10/18/22: ELEVENTH HOUR: The EPR Act and the pursuit of a circular economy
SOA Regional Representative: Mary Jane Lamoste
Youth environmental advocates – including SOA Asia Regional Representative Mary Jane Lamoste – were called to join public consultations in the Philippines for the drafting of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Act in a webinar series, Stories for a Better Reality, hosted by the Climate Reality Project Philippines.
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