Funding Innovations That Protect Our Oceans with Millicent Pitts, Ep93

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This is another episode of the Forces for Nature, EarthX Conference series!

The health of our oceans is critical—not just for marine life, but for our economy and future sustainability. Enter Ocean Exchange, an organization dedicated to accelerating solutions that improve ocean health and coastal resilience. And, one of only four groups in the United States that was awarded the recent NOAA Ocean Enterprise Accelerator grant!

In this episode, I sit down with Millicent Pitts, the Executive Director of Ocean Exchange, to explore how they’re funding and supporting game-changing innovations in the blue economy.

From cleaning up agricultural runoff to creating bio-based chemicals from coral reefs, these solutions are already making a difference. Over the past 13 years of giving non-dilutive grants to start-ups, the finalists in their process have raised $3.1 billion, mostly in seed and venture capital rounds.  

Millicent shares the challenges these innovators face, why investors are finally paying attention, and how we can all play a role in supporting ocean health.

Highlights

• How Ocean Exchange helps fund and accelerate ocean-focused startups.
• The growing blue economy and why it matters.
• Innovations tackling biodiversity loss, pollution, and carbon sequestration.

 What YOU Can Do

Even if you’re not an investor or scientist, there are ways to support these innovations and ocean health:

• Stay Informed – Follow and share updates from organizations like Ocean Exchange.
• Support Sustainable Businesses – Look for companies investing in ocean-friendly practices.
• Advocate for Stronger Policies – Support initiatives that regulate ocean pollution and promote clean energy.
• Reduce Your Own Impact – Minimize single-use plastics, choose sustainable seafood, and reduce carbon emissions.
• Get Involved Locally – Participate in beach cleanups or citizen science projects related to marine conservation.

 Resources

• Ocean Exchange 
• Water Warriors
• Cordelia Biosciences
• Ocean Rescue Alliance
• Silent Returns
• Minesto
• EcoSubSea

 If today’s conversation sparked your curiosity, there’s no better place to dive deeper into topics like this than at EarthX, the world’s largest environmental gathering. Tickets for their event in April are on sale now at earthx.org. Be sure to grab yours and join the global community working toward a healthier, more sustainable planet.

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