Ocean Exchange Announces Eight Collegiate Finalists Competing for $30,000 in Sustainability Awards

Ocean Exchange has announced the selection of eight collegiate finalists who will compete for three $10,000 awards at the organization's upcoming event scheduled for October 26-28 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Ocean Exchange Collegiate Awards program, with all finalists representing U.S. universities and post-secondary institutions. The competing solutions span multiple categories including ocean sensors, biodiversity measurement, plastic alternatives, aquaculture and fishery management, robotics, and artificial intelligence applications.

The finalist teams include Bioluminescence from Cape Cod Community College/WHOI HBS Lab, UTD from University of Texas Dallas, Ignition Packaging from University of Florida, MADEIN U.S.T.A. LLC from Georgia Southern University, OctaPule from Carnegie Mellon University, SLA Robotics from North Carolina State University, SWPT from University of Rhode Island, and The Leatherback Project from University of Central Florida. These teams represent the next generation of innovators addressing critical environmental challenges through technological advancement and scientific research.

Winners will be selected based on three key criteria: the potential impact of their solution, the level of innovation demonstrated, and the team's ability to execute their proposed concept. The judging panel consists of delegates representing diverse sectors including business, academia, government, and nonprofit organizations. This multi-stakeholder approach ensures that winning solutions have both practical applicability and significant environmental benefits.

Millicent Pitts, CEO of Ocean Exchange, emphasized the program's broader significance beyond the monetary awards. "These awards are wildly popular with our ocean community, not just about the student-led innovation but about the ability to personally engage with and be inspired by the next generation," Pitts noted. The organization brings finalists to Fort Lauderdale to pitch their solutions directly to global leaders and network with industry experts gathered in South Florida.

The awards include the Guy Harvey Foundation Award and two Ocean Exchange Collegiate Awards, each carrying a $10,000 prize. Jessica Harvey, CEO of the Guy Harvey Foundation, explained their involvement: "Our mission is to better understand and conserve the ocean environment. That is why education is a key focus globally for us. It's so exciting to see how these bright, creative, enthusiastic innovators and entrepreneurs are working to solve the world's environmental challenges."

The Ocean Exchange Collegiate Awards Program operates through support from sponsors, partners, and industry experts worldwide. For more information about the event and Ocean Exchange's mission, visit their website at https://www.oceanexchange.org. The Guy Harvey Foundation, which collaborates with organizations to conduct scientific research and develop educational programs, maintains additional resources at https://www.GuyHarveyFoundation.org.

This initiative represents a significant investment in developing sustainable solutions for ocean conservation and the blue economy. By supporting student innovators and connecting them with industry leaders, Ocean Exchange facilitates the transition from academic research to real-world implementation. The program's decade-long history demonstrates sustained commitment to fostering environmental innovation while providing valuable opportunities for students to gain exposure and mentorship within the marine technology and conservation sectors.