By Susan Zellers | Program Director, Ocean Exchange
Ocean Exchange celebrated its 15th year in 2026 with another outstanding international competition, attracting 391 applications from innovators around the world. Sixteen finalists presented breakthrough solutions at our October event in Fort Lauderdale, where global voting delegates helped select this year’s award recipients.
We awarded $450,000 at the event, bringing our total 2026 award commitment to approximately $525,000 with the previously announced Canadian award. This year’s program also expanded with two new $50,000 Florida Environmental Impact Awards and two new Collegiate Awards, further strengthening our commitment to emerging technologies and the next generation of ocean innovators.
Expanding Our Global Reach
2026 also marked an important step in expanding the Ocean Exchange model internationally with the launch of our first Satellite Ocean Exchange initiative in partnership with MEOPAR in Canada. Focused on Canadian innovators using ocean data and artificial intelligence to improve ocean understanding and reduce environmental impacts, the program culminated in a CAD $100,000 Neptune Award presented to Awtij, Indigenous Marine Intelligence. Four finalists were selected and presented their solutions in Ottawa, with the winner invited to join the Ocean Exchange community in Fort Lauderdale. This initiative demonstrates the potential to bring the Ocean Exchange process, expertise and global network to regional innovation communities around the world.
Beyond the awards, Ocean Exchange continued to build connections among startups, industry leaders, academics, investors and other members of the global ocean innovation ecosystem—helping promising technologies gain visibility, expertise and opportunities to advance.
What’s Next: 2027 and Beyond
We are already looking ahead! The 2027 Ocean Exchange Call for Solutions will launch in March, inviting innovators from around the world to share solutions that advance healthy oceans, coastal resilience and the sustainable Blue Economy.
As we build on 15 years of connecting innovation with opportunity, our focus remains on expanding our global network, strengthening partnerships, and accelerating the adoption of technologies that can make a meaningful difference for our oceans and the industries that depend on them.
About the Author: Susan Zellers is an accomplished dynamic leader, with a background in association management, workforce development, economic development, advocacy, community coalition building and event management. Read her full bio here.
Connect with Susan on LinkedIn.
