Blue Economy ClimAccelerator in the Pacific Islands closes with transformative ocean solutions awards ceremony
The Global Green Growth Institute held a closing “Demo Day” event for the Blue Economy ClimAccelerator in the Pacific Islands on 5 May 5 at the Holiday Inn Suva in Fiji.
The programme is funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs of Ireland (‘Irish Aid’). and supported by EIT Climate-KIC, Europe’s leading climate innovation initiative.
The closing programme hosted nine climate innovators from Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu in Suva for a three-day in-person event showcasing blue economy solutions that harness local resources to adapt to the climate crisis and help regenerate ocean ecosystems. The ClimAccelerator offered shortlisted start-ups a four-month programme including boot camp and learning sessions, mentorship, and market and investor linkages.
The Demo Day event is the programme's culmination, where entrepreneurs pitched their solutions to a panel of judges, investors, and industry experts. Participants received prizes of €5,000 to €8,000 for the implementation of their blue business plans at the event, followed by a networking opportunity for the attendees.
"The blue economy is a critical part of sustainable development in the Pacific Islands, and start-ups have a vital role to play in developing innovative solutions to address the challenges facing the blue economy. By supporting start-ups and entrepreneurs, we can unlock the potential of the blue economy to drive economic growth, create jobs, and promote environmental sustainability," said Mr Daniel Muñoz Smith - GGGI Country Representative for Fiji, Kiribati, Tonga & Vanuatu. "The programme has been a great success, and we are proud to support sustainable development in the Pacific Islands through the Blue Economy ClimAccelerator."
The selected start-ups (Defiant Robotics, GenOrganic, Haleta Seaweed, Hiri Coral PNG, Howarig Traders, Kiribati Blue Marine Solution, Organic Fish + Farm Mariculture Enterprise, Samoa Women’s Association of Growers, Vanua Tourism Financial & Business Consultant ) are focused on coral tourism and restoration, ocean waste and recycling, desalination, farming of seaweed and sea cucumber, organic fertilisers, and carbon sequestration through mangroves. To learn more about the start-ups, click here to read the selection announcement.
“EIT Climate-KIC is so pleased to have been able to support ten inspiring Blue Economy start-ups across the Pacific through the ClimAccelerator, and we look forward to continuing to support local solutions to the impacts of climate change in this part of the world,” said David Watt, the Strategic Programmes Builder for the entrepreneurship programmes at EIT Climate-KIC.
For more information about the Blue Economy ClimAccelerator and the Demo Day event: https://www.pacificgreenpreneurs.com/blue-economy-climaccelerator
