Created from the alliance, in France, between Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA) and RespectOcean, this challenge aims to:

• Develop and promote economically viable solutions for the protection of the oceans and its marine and coastal ecosystems;
• Give the opportunity to applicants to have their solution reviewed by a Committee of experts of the Blue Economy (the "Expert Committee");
• Train 10 finalists at the pitching technique in order to develop their presentation skills, and increase their chances to have their solution funded by investor;
• Reward the top three candidates during a Grand finale;
• Reward three additional solutions on the following themes "special prize for the preservation
• of marine biodiversity", "special prize for bio-inspired solutions", "special prize for early-stage solutions".

136 applications were submitted between January 19 and midnight February 28.

10 solutions were retainedby the independent selection committee, composed of experts from different business sectors.