# The Startup Reef

A curated showcase of ocean solutions at the Third UN Ocean Conference.June 2-13 | Green Zone - La Baleine / The Whale Nice, France


## Explore how innovativecompanies are tacklingsome of the biggestglobal challenges.

The Startup Reef served as the leading platform for ocean innovation at the 3rd UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3), hosted in the official Green Zone - La Baleine. Curated by 1000 Ocean Startups in collaboration with key partners, the pavilion spotlighted bold solutions, facilitated catalytic connections, and amplified the role of start-ups in driving ocean impact. From restoring reefs to decarbonizing shipping, innovations displayed at The Reef demonstrated real, tested, and scalable solutions. What’s missing isn’t technology, but action. Scroll down to view the programme and see featured companies.


# The solutions are ready. The ocean is ready.  Are we?


## The Programme

A regenerative blue economy is within reach—not because of innovation alone, but thanks to the growing global ecosystem of start-ups, investors, and support networks is ready to deliver impact. We received almost 200 session proposals from across the global ocean innovation ecosystem. Among these, more than 60 proposals came directly from startups, showcasing the sector’s readiness to contribute and lead.Open to all Green Zone attendees, the Startup Reef programme was active daily from June 9 to 13, with additional activities throughout the week June 2. The programme featured a diverse mix of founder-led talks, investment dialogues, coalition showcases, pitches, and sector-deep dives — and was designed to foster exchange between entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, philanthropies, and policymakers committed to advancing a regenerative blue economy. From launching events to pitching sessions, The Reef showcased readiness in scaling ocean solutions sourced globally.


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## Main Sponsors

We thank our sponsors for their contributions - on and off The Reef - to helping scale the solutions the ocean urgently needs.


## Catalog

*Browse catalog items*


## Co-Organizers

With deep thanks to our co-organisers for contributing to The Reef and bringing the space to life.


*Partner organizations and sponsors*


## Featured Companies

The Startup Reef’s featured solutions were identified and selected through a process created by the 1000 Ocean Startups (1000OS) Working Group for the 3rd UN Ocean Conference, implemented by the 1000OS Lighthouse and contributed to by nearly two dozen members of 1000OSthe coalition.  The early-stage, innovative companies featured in The Startup Reef (aka The Reef) share a common thread - using the power of business and innovation to protect the ocean, stop or prevent harmful practices, and restore ocean ecosystems. Great care was taken in selecting companies which showcase the full breadth and depth of the innovative solutions being deployed globally to address the many threats faced by our ocean.


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## 1000 Ocean Startups UNOC3 Working Group

A final thanks goes to the members of the 1000 Ocean Startups Member-Led Working Group on the 3rd UN Ocean Conference which has shaped the The Reef for more than a year.


*Partner organizations and sponsors*