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OceanLoveInnovationAwards

The world's most inclusive ocean innovation award. 487 ideas from 91 countries applied in 2026. Applications are now closed — the 4th edition opens in April 2027.

Because you protect what you love.

3rd
Edition
487
Ideas in 2026
91
Countries
6
Continents
$10K
Seed funding / Winner
2026 in numbers

Our biggest edition yet

This year we received 87% more applications than 2025 and 5.7× what we received in 2024 — with the largest share coming from Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Pacific.

OceanLove applications map 2026
EDITION
APPLICATIONS RECEIVED
COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN
2026
487
91
2025
260
64
2024
86
37
Applications by country 2026
What the award is

The ocean needsYour brain power!

The OceanLove Innovation Awards is a global competition that finds early-stage ideas to protect, restore and sustain the ocean — and gives them a stage, a network, and the support they need to grow.

It’s open to everyone, everywhere, from every background. You don’t need a company, a degree or funding behind you.

You need an idea with the potential to make a real impact on ocean sustainability (SDG 14) and strengthen the community around you.

We are a non-profit run entirely by volunteers, endorsed by the UN Decade of Ocean Science.

Grant funding

$10,000 in seed funding to bring the winning idea to life.

Coaching

An online bootcamp with experienced social entrepreneurs and mentors.

Media exposure

A stage, a global network and press that puts your idea in front of the world.

“With the OceanLove Innovation Awards, we want to give ideas a platform, connect them with partners, and provide the support they need to grow.”

Ilco van der Linde — Founder, OceanLove
OCEANLOVE AWARDS CEREMONY 2026

Join us at the 3rdCeremony in Los Angeles

Open to all ages — everyone welcome.
Venue
AltaSea, Port of Los Angeles
Date
Sunday 11 October 2026
Tickets
$10 · free to exhibitors
What’s waiting for you
Speakers who move you — ocean scientists, innovators and changemakers
Winners announcement — the year’s best early-stage ocean ideas
An exhibition fair — meet innovators, student organizations and NGOs
A room full of people who care — students, scientists, families. Everyone welcome.
Screening of “Haagua” — an Indigenous surf film by Native Like Water
Register to join
Tickets $10 per person. Want a booth at the exhibition? Free of charge, including tickets for friends and family.
Full Program
AltaSea logo
Hosted by AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles
AltaSea, Port of Los Angeles
AltaSea, Port of Los Angeles
2024 winners with the team
2024 Winners With the Team
The ceremony is travelling the world
The Hague
2024
Barcelona
2025
Los Angeles
2026
Cairo
2027
Three awards, three winners

Top 10 in 2025

The ten finalists of 2025, chosen from 260 applications across 64 countries.

#1 Reconnecting with Vanua
Fiji
#2 VeryNile
Egypt
#3 Matumbawe Hai
Tanzania
#4 Kick-Out the Debris
Cameroon
#5 Sustainable Network Egypt
Egypt
#6 ClimatePod
Cyprus
#7 Bahari Yetu Magazine
Tanzania
#8 Sachet, Away!
Philippines
#9 The Ocean Knows My Heart
Tanzania & Egypt
#10 Women Fisherfolk Leadership Corps
Philippines
See all past winners
WHY IT MATTERS

Turn the tide

Climate change, overfishing, extinction of species, loss of biodiversity and all kinds of pollution — plastics, ghost nets, oil spillage, deep-sea mining — are threatening our oceans and the life of future generations.

Check out the inspiring top 10 ideas from past years, and remember that these people are just like you: people who love and care deeply for the ocean, who simply had an idea.

Inspirations

Want to become our partner?

Join our global community of innovators, activists, scientists and brands working together to protect and restore our ocean. As a partner you help empower changemakers worldwide.

Join now

Worried we might run away with your idea? Never.

Your idea always remains yours. Read our code of conduct in the FAQ. As a non-profit run by volunteers, the only profit we aim for is better protection of our oceans.

FAQ
Manta ray
Cuttlefish
Hammerhead
Underwater ocean life

Don’t be shy

Everyone can make a difference. Applications for the 4th edition reopen in April 2027 — leave your email and we’ll tell you the day they open.

OCEANLOVE

A volunteer-run non-profit, endorsed by the UN Decade of Ocean Science.

Because you protect what you love.

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