Our Story
1000 Ocean Startups (1000OS) is a global coalition dedicated to scaling start-ups that invent and deploy critical innovations for ocean health.
2019 - 2020: Genesis and Foundation
Born after the second UN Ocean Conference was postponed because of COVID-19, 1000OS unites six founding members to scale ocean innovation.
The six founding members were identified, immediately accepted to take part in the project and joined the first Steering Committee: OceanHub Africa, SWEN Blue Ocean, Katapult Ocean, GEOS, Builders Vision and Conservation International Ventures; with Alexis Grosskopf and Christian Lim as founding co-chairs.
The inaugural Steering Committee established the values and governance of the coalition, which are still in force through the Charter of the coalition today. These are grounded in five core principles: Transparency, Accountability, Inclusiveness, Member Leadership and Service.
2021: Launch and pledge
The launch of 1000OS was held in May 2021 at The ChangeNOW Summit, recognized as a UN Ocean Decade program and backed by leaders like Richard Branson and Erna Solberg. The launch included a video introducing the pledge by the 17 members at the time: “The coalition pledges to back at least 1000 transformative ocean startups by 2030, thereby dedicating talent, energy, and resources to scaling startups that contribute to ocean health.” Access the full video of the launch here.
2022: Ocean Impact Navigator Tool and partnership with the World Economic Forum
The Ocean Impact Navigator launches at the UN Ocean Conference; the World Economic Forum joins as coalition secretariat, expanding reach and capacity.
2023: First Annual Gathering
1000OS hosts its first Annual Gathering at The Explorers Club in NYC during NYC Climate Week. The coalition grows to 37 members and 33 of them attend the AG, many meeting face-to-face for the first time.
2025: The Startup Reef at UNOC3
At the UN Ocean Conference Green Zone, 1000OS curated The Startup Reef — the only dedicated ocean innovation pavilion — showcasing 40 startups, drawing over 100,000 visitors, and creating powerful connections between innovators, investors, and policymakers.
Joshua Berger
Founder/CEO
Maritime Blue
Sarah Wan-Yau
Managing Director
Potato Impact Partners
Nick Chiarelli
Co-founder & CEO,
Ocean Impact Organisation
Vanessa Scott
Director of Industry Relations
StartBlue, Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Markus Boehm
Founder,
Planet Ocean Fund
Patti Chu
Co-Founder & Managing Partner,
Mana Impact Partners
Alfredo Girón Nava
Head of Ocean,
World Economic Forum
Ronald Tardiff
Ocean Innovation Lead
Erin Skoczylas
Workstream Lead - Inspiration
Carmen Escobar
Workstream Lead -Impact
Ishraq Osman
Workstream Lead - Community
Lily Zhao
Workstream Lead - Insights
Gabriela Valcárcel
Inspiration Workstream, Communications Associate
Isabella Mesa
Inspiration Workstream, Designer
Vittoria Moccia
Impact Workstream, OIN Manager
Jaideep Salil
Project Specialist, World Economic Forum
Thandiswa Mkize
Community Workstream, Intern