Investing in Sustainable Oceans

Siri Olsson

By GRID-Arendal

April 26^th, 2019

Eleven ocean startups based in Costa Rica, England, Myanmar, Morocco, Greece and Norway celebrated the end of their participation in the Katapult Ocean accelerator programme by presenting their marine technology solutions at a demo event on 8 April 2019 in Oslo. The Katapult Ocean accelerator programme is a 3-month intensive programme focussing on growth, investment, leadership, and technology, in addition to giving an introduction to global ocean technology systems.

One of the startups is Atlan Space, a Moroccan company developing Artificial Intelligence (AI) to use on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Together with the Norwegian analytical non-profit Trygg Mat Tracking (TMT), Atlan Space has partnered with GRID-Arendal to combat illegal fishing in Seychelles in the framework of the FishGuard Initiative, funded by the National Geographic Marine Protection Prize.

Badr Idrissi, CEO of Atlan Space, presenting their AI-based solution that aims to reduce illegal fishing. Here he is talking about the Marine Protection Prize that was awarded the FishGuard initiative last year. Credit: Valentin Yemelin, GRID-Arendal

Applications for round 2 is open! Credit: Valentin Yemelin, GRID-Arendal

Valentin Emelin, manager of the FishGuard project at GRID-Arendal, said:

“It is crucial that new innovations that support sustainable ocean management are communicated to relevant stakeholders and supported by governments, researchers, foundations, NGOs and communities in order to be successful.”

Katapult Ocean aims to scale up companies that have developed technology contributing to healthier oceans. Their core belief is that one can make money by investing in modern technology while contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The start-ups supported in the first batch of the accelerator programme are already targeting 11 of the 17 SDGs.

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, who visited the offices of Katapult Ocean in March, was impressed by the variety of innovative marine technology solutions coming from all over the world, said:

“It is important to talk about the problems, but we will be more motivated to make changes if we talk about the solutions.”

The demo event in Oslo also marked the opening of the second round of applications for the accelerator programme, and you can apply now through their online portal.