Saudi Arabia Unveils Winners Of The Regenerative Blue Economy Challenge At UN Summit

At the United Nations Summit of the Future in New York, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Economy and Planning announced the winners of the UpLink Regenerative Blue Economy Challenge. The 15 selected projects aim to protect and restore oceans while addressing sustainability challenges. These solutions were chosen from 203 global submissions for their innovative approaches to marine pollution, ecosystem restoration, and ocean-based climate solutions.

The winning startups will receive a share of 300,000 Swiss francs to further develop their projects. They will also gain access to networking opportunities, targeted support, and increased visibility. Additionally, they will participate in discussions at the forefront of innovation. This initiative is part of Saudi Arabia's efforts to foster growth and scalability for early-stage startups in both private and public sectors.

The winners include CHITELIX from Tunisia, which uses biotech to transform seafood byproducts into chitosan biopolymers for various industries. SolarDuck from the Netherlands has developed offshore floating solar platforms to enhance solar power generation at sea. Kind Designs from the US creates 3D-printed Living Seawalls™ that integrate artificial reef features to boost coastal resilience and biodiversity.

Rongbient Biotech Company Limited in Vietnam improves shrimp farming profitability with seaweed-integrated systems that increase pond productivity. France's GREENOV tackles underwater noise pollution with its SubSea Quieter technology. Rrreefs from Switzerland restores coral reefs using modular 3D-printed systems that support marine life.

Mwani Zanzibar in Tanzania empowers women seaweed farmers with innovative practices that enhance livelihoods and climate mitigation efforts. Blue Ocean Gear from the US combats plastic pollution by equipping fishing fleets with Smart Buoy technology for real-time gear tracking. SEA CRAS d.o.o. in Croatia enhances coastal monitoring through AI-driven satellite data analysis.

Tunisia's Polychaeta converts aquaculture waste into high-quality bait using sustainable recycling technologies. Reefgen from the US streamlines coastal ecosystem restoration with automated underwater systems for efficient habitat rebuilding. ATAREC in Morocco uses Wave Beat technology to convert ocean waves into renewable energy while protecting coastlines.

Advanced Technologies for Marine Safety

Swiss Ocean Tech Ltd., based in Switzerland, improves anchoring safety with AnchorGuardian, a patented system preventing anchor dragging and ensuring vessel security. NextProtein from France offers BSF-based products as a sustainable alternative to traditional fishmeal for aquaculture feed. PolyGone Systems in the US provides a modular filtration system capturing microplastics using biomimetic technology.

The Regenerative Blue Economy Challenge is funded by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Economy and Planning, led by WAVE and Friends of Ocean Action alongside various partners. Vice Minister Ammar Nagadi launched the call for proposals on April 29 during the WEF Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth, and Energy for Development in Riyadh.

The top five finalists will present their projects to a panel comprising representatives from Saudi Arabia and international organizations. The three highest-scoring projects will receive additional funding and entry into the Uplink Accelerator Program for further development and scaling of their solutions.

With inputs from SPA