Monaco Ocean Protection Challenge

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Registration is now open for the
Monaco Ocean Protection Challenge 2026

Are you a student, young graduate or young entrepreneur with a passion for protecting the oceans, sustainability, and innovation?

This is your opportunity to present entrepreneurial ideas that have a positive and measurable impact on the ocean.

Application deadline: February 13, 2026

Grand Final in Monaco: June 11, 2026

THE MONACO OCEAN PROTECTION CHALLENGE

The Monaco Ocean Protection Challenge is an international competition for students and young entrepreneurs, designed to provide concrete support for the creation and development of start-ups capable of demonstrating a positive impact on ocean preservation in the short to medium term.

It is coorganized by the International University of Monaco, the Oceanographic Institute, Prince Albert I of Monaco Foundation, Monaco Impact, and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.

One of the aims of the competition is to support the winners in advancing or bringing to fruition their professional projects, by providing advice and support, and by giving them access to contacts and knowledge within the professional networks of partner companies, particularly those involved in incubating, accelerating or financing start-ups.

The Monaco Ocean Protection Challenge is an international competition for students and young entrepreneurs, designed to provide concrete support for the creation and development of start-ups capable of demonstrating a positive impact on ocean preservation in the short to medium term.

One of the aims of the competition is to support the winners in advancing or bringing to fruition their professional projects, by providing advice and support, and by giving them access to contacts and knowledge within the professional networks of partner companies, particularly those involved in incubating, accelerating or financing start-ups.

The competition is open to two categories of candidates:

“Students” category (open to undergraduate and graduate students of any specialization, or recent graduates, from business schools, engineering schools, science schools, design schools, art schools, communications schools, etc.)

“Start-ups” category (open to all entrepreneurs who create or have created after June 2022)

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THE MONACO OCEAN PROTECTION CHALLENGE (MOPC) REWARDS 4 NEW BUSINESS CONCEPTS FOR OCEAN CONSERVATION!
– 9th edition –

On Thursday, June 11, 2026, four teams winners of the Monaco Ocean Protection Challenge (MOPC) were were honored during the Grand Final which took place at the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco in the presence of many guests. Born in Monaco—a key player in the preservation of the ocean – This international competition at an advanced level is intended for students and young entrepreneurs from all over the world. It aims to support in practical ways the creation and the development of startups capable of demonstrating a positive impact on the protection of the ocean and the management of its resources in a sustainable manner, in the short or medium term.

A record-breaking edition: an international competition that is gaining—once again—in audience and visibility!
No fewer than 215 projects, representing 67 prestigious universities and colleges from 58 countries, were submitted by the deadline for the call for proposals on March 3, 2026. This represents a significant increase, far exceeding the 135 projects received during the previous edition.

From mid-January to the end of May 2026, the participating teams worked on developing business plans proposing new business concepts for a more sustainable ocean.

In response to this growing enthusiasm, an initial jury of 32 international experts—marine specialists, entrepreneurs, investors, and incubators—was assembled to evaluate the applications and select the finalists.

Following two rounds of selection, 10 finalist teams were invited to Monaco to participate in the Grand Finale: four in the “Business Concepts” category, four in the “Startups” category, and the two winners of the “Spotlight on Africa” and “CFM Indosuez Coup de Cœur” special awards.

A FINAL MARKED BY EXCELLENCE AND DIVERSITY

The finalists presented and defended their projects orally before a jury composed of prominent figures gathered in the Conference Hall of the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco. The international scope of the competition was once again evident this year: the 27 project leaders present in the Principality represented 14 different nationalities (Germany, Canada, Egypt, the United States, Finland, France, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Morocco, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Sweden).

BEYOND THE COMPETITION: SUPPORTING THE SOLUTIONS OF TOMORROW

In addition to recognizing the most promising projects, the MOPC provides long-term support to the winners and helps them transform their projects into concrete solutions that can be deployed on a large scale. With this in mind, several winners from previous editions have been invited to participate in the two editions of the Blue Economy and Finance Forum (BEFF) in Monaco—the first in June 2025, on the sidelines of the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), and the second in May 2026. This is a unique opportunity for them to increase their visibility, meet investors, develop new partnerships, and accelerate the deployment of their solutions.

The 138 participating teams, from 129 universities representing 66 nationalities, worked from mid-January 2025 to the end of March 2025 ona business plan to present new business concepts for a more sustainable Ocean.

Of the 138 projects initially submitted, and after two selection stages , 6 were chosen for the Grand Final by a panel of 16 experts from the marine world, entrepreneurs, incubators and investors, divided into the “Business Concepts” and “Start-ups” categories.

Like a pitch competition, the finalists were invited to present and defend their project orally on the stage of the Oceanographic Museum‘s conference room, in order to convince the members of the jury.

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Photo Credit: Boardroom ©Institut océanographique – Olivier Remualdo

Photo Credit: Jury members ©Oceanographic Institute – Olivier Remualdo

A DAUNTING TASK FOR
THE SIX MEMBERS OF THE FINAL JURY!

The final jury was composed of recognized figures from the worlds of finance, business, and startup incubation and acceleration: Ms. Céline Lapaian, Secretary General & Member of the Executive Committee at CFM Indosuez Wealth Management; Ms. Chloé Boscagli, Director of Monacotech; Prof. Davide Staedler, CEO of Daxtachem SAM; Ms. Birgit Liodden, Founder of The Ocean Opportunity Lab (TOOL); and Ms. Danielle McCaffrey, Editorial Director of Science & Vie; Ms. Nina Jensen, marine biologist, former CEO of REV Ocean, and former Secretary General of WWF-Norway.

THE WINNERS OF THE 2026 EDITION

"Business Concepts" Category

SEADS (Germany) Project presented by Ms. Emily Hannah Purnell, Ms. Simona Toepfer, Mr. Matz Hueffner, and Mr. Jonas Pfitzner (German nationals), University of Münster.
SEADS’ mission is to restore seagrass beds on a large scale using autonomous technology powered by artificial intelligence. By developing a system capable of efficiently harvesting, cultivating, and replanting seagrass seeds, SEADS is overcoming one of the main obstacles to the restoration of marine ecosystems. Restored seagrass beds help sequester CO₂, protect coastlines, and enhance ocean biodiversity.

Donation :

  • A €4,000 check donated by Beefbar and Star Clippers
  • A mentorship program worth €6,000 offered by C4C Business Valuation and Analysis
  • Pass Explorations offered by the Association Amis du Musée océanographique de Monaco.
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SEADS (Germany). Photo credit: © Oceanographic Institute – Olivier Remualdo

"Startups" category

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CalX (France). Photo credit: ©Oceanographic Institute – Olivier Remualdo

CalX (France) – Project submitted by Mr. Quentin Germe (French national).
CalX’s mission is to develop low-carbon marine construction materials capable of restoring ocean ecosystems. Through Oysteria X—a material made from recycled oyster shells and natural mineral binders—CalX offers a sustainable alternative to traditional marine concrete. Developed in collaboration with IFREMER and the CNRS, this solution promotes underwater biodiversity while meeting the needs of coastal and offshore infrastructure.

Donation :

  • A check for €7,000 donated by the Monaco Impact association and Dietsmann
  • An acceleration program worth €12,000 offered by C4C Business Valuation and Analysis
  • Pass Explorations offered by the Association Amis du Musée océanographique de Monaco.

CFM Indosuez "Coup de Cœur " award

BEND&SNAP – Project presented by Ms. Kankskhi Dodia (Indian national) of the International University of Monaco. Bend&Snap’s mission is to accelerate the restoration of coral reefs through an innovative, biodegradable, and microplastic-free solution designed to simplify and industrialize the process of securing coral fragments. Faced with the urgent problem of reef degradation and the limitations of current manual methods, Bend&Snap is developing a 3D-printed anchor that reduces the time it takes to secure a coral from 10 minutes to just 20 seconds. Made from biodegradable materials that mimic natural calcification processes, this technology helps reduce restoration costs, scale up operations, and promote the regeneration of marine ecosystems.
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BEND&SNAP. Photo credit: ©Oceanographic Institute – Olivier Remualdo

CFM INDOSUEZ WEALTH MANAGEMENT, lead sponsor of the Monaco Ocean Protection Challenge.
CFM Indosuez presented BendNSnap—a project the bank selected itself—with the “CFM Indosuez Favorite Award”, a very practical prize that will allow the company to benefit from business acceleration support offered by CFM Indosuez and provided by one of its partners, valued at €3,000.

“Spotlight on Africa” Award

BLUE FIELD COMPANY – Company registered in Morocco. Project submitted by Mr. Amine Koubaa (Moroccan national)

Blue Field Company’s mission is to restore the health of the marine ecosystems in the Marchica Lagoon through an approach that combines sustainable seaweed aquaculture with environmental monitoring technologies. By cultivating algae capable of absorbing excess nutrients and reducing coastal pollution, the project improves water quality while creating new local economic opportunities. This solution combines technological innovation, ecological restoration, and the sustainable development of coastal communities.

Donation :

  • Integration with the 1000 Ocean Startups platform
  • A check for €2,500 jointly presented by GH Advisory, Kroll, and Dietsmann.

Blue Field Company. Credit Photo: ©Oceanographic Institute – Olivier Remualdo

Africa in the Spotlight: Another African Startup Wins an Award! Part of the ocean’s future lies in Africa, and the potential for developing a genuine, effective, and regenerative blue economy on the continent is immense. An African startup has therefore been awarded the “Spotlight on Africa” Prize—a strong signal to encourage young people to pursue innovative projects that contribute to ocean conservation and the Sustainable Development Goals. The winning company and its founders will receive specialized support from the MOPC organizers.

Success Stories

Cool Equity (Winner of the 2025 Monaco Ocean Protection Challenge, “Business Concepts” category), develops decentralized cooling solutions for small-scale fishing communities. By using phase-change materials, these solutions help preserve seafood better after harvest and reduce losses, overfishing, bycatch, and marine pollution. Thanks to the €4,000 prize awarded at the Grand Finale, the pilot study conducted in Rameshwaram, India, in 2025—combining scientific and technical testing with ethnographic research—validated the technical feasibility of the concept and its suitability for the needs of small-scale fishermen operating small boats. The fishermen welcomed this solution, viewing it as a promising and beneficial alternative to support their livelihoods. In 2026, Cool Equity entered its research and development phase, with the goal of improving the design of its decentralized cooling system based on feedback from the fishermen. The MOPC played a decisive role in accelerating the project by providing financial support, mentorship, visibility, and ongoing guidance, enabling Cool Equity to continue its mission toward more sustainable and equitable fishing.

Acquaden (Winner of the 2025 Monaco Ocean Protection Challenge, “Spotlight on Africa” Award)contributes to the development of a more sustainable aquaculture sector in Kenya by improving access to high-quality fingerlings and supporting climate-smart fish farming practices. By enabling fish farmers to produce more fish through aquaculture, Acquaden helps ensure food security while helping to reduce pressure on wild fish stocks and aquatic ecosystems. Since winning the award, Acquaden has attracted an international investor, expanded its hatchery operations, and increased its production capacity by 50%. The company has strengthened its support for fish farmers, deepened its partnerships, and continued its mission to make sustainable fish farming more accessible and economically viable throughout Kenya. The MOPC has provided Acquaden with valuable international visibility, enabling it to connect with a broader network of investors, innovators, and stakeholders committed to the ocean. In particular, the company was able to participate in the Blue Economy and Finance Forum held in Monaco in June 2025. This recognition has strengthened its credibility and created new opportunities for collaboration and growth, enabling it to increase its impact while contributing to food security, improved livelihoods, and the long-term preservation of aquatic ecosystems.

A competition supported by 4 institutions:

INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF MONACO

The International University of Monaco aims to prepare the next generation of managers and entrepreneurs to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. Key themes such as entrepreneurship/intrapreneurship, innovation/digital transformation, and social and environmental responsibility are integrated throughout all of its programs, from the Bachelor’s to the Master’s and MBA.

OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTE, ALBERT Ier FOUNDATION, PRINCE OF MONACO

The Oceanographic Institute was founded in 1906 by Prince Albert Ier, a passionate and visionary explorer. Recognized as a public-interest organization, the Foundation has been working for over a century to protect the ocean. It brings together political, scientific, and economic leaders, as well as representatives from civil society and the general public, with the goal of “understanding, loving, and protecting the ocean.” Supported by its two institutions—the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco and the Maison de l’Océan in Paris—the Oceanographic Institute is behind numerous national and international projects (conferences, exhibitions, educational programs, etc.) aimed at promoting sustainable management of the ocean.

MONACO IMPACT

Monaco Impact’s mission is to promote Monaco as a global hub for philanthropy and social impact investing. Monaco Impact aims to connect internationally engaged citizens, local philanthropists, and investors through collaboration, education, and the creation of opportunities, in order to support the next generation of “responsible entrepreneurs” and social entrepreneurs.

PRINCE ALBERT II OF MONACO FOUNDATION

Founded by H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, the Foundation is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to the health of the planet for present and future generations. Through its 13 ongoing initiatives and more than 800 supported projects, the Foundation addresses major challenges such as climate change, ocean conservation, biodiversity protection, water resource management, and the fight against deforestation. The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation actively encourages innovative initiatives that drive regeneration and supports stakeholders who develop sustainable solutions for the benefit of the planet, and particularly the ocean. Its objectives are to support new generations of leaders, mentor innovative entrepreneurs, guide investments, and protect natural ecosystems, while promoting ethical and responsible economic models. Through its Blue Solutions Hub—which includes the Ocean Innovators Platform and the ReOcean Fund—the Foundation combines ecology and economics to accelerate the transition toward a New Blue Economy.

Monaco Ocean Protection is supported by :

MOPC Main Sponsor

logo vitale
logo inalve
blue nery academy
logo greg lecoeur
logo pierre frolla
Other Sponsors

CFM INDOSUEZ WEALTH MANAGEMENT, main sponsor of the Monaco Ocean Protection Challenge:

CFM Indosuez Wealth Management, a leading banking institution and pioneer of responsible finance in Monaco, has joined the circle of companies supporting the Monaco Ocean Protection Challenge in 2023. In addition to its financial support for the initiative, CFM Indosuez is offering the lucky winner of the “Coup de Coeur ” prize in the student category a cheque for €2,000, as well as an opportunity to present his or her project to the CFM Indosuez Executive Committee. CFM Indosuez is also offering a cheque for €1,000 to the winner in the student category.

The Monaco Ocean Protection Challenge relies on a number of partners to promote the competition on an international scale:

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