MOPC 2024 Edition

Winners Medias

THE MONACO OCEAN PROTECTION CHALLENGE AWARDS 3 NEW BUSINESS CONCEPTS FOR OCEAN PRESERVATION !

On Wednesday June 19th, the three winners of the Monaco Ocean Protection Challenge (MOPC) were
awarded by HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco during the Grand Finale at the Oceanographic Museum, in the
presence of many distinguished guests. This international competition, co-organized by the International
University of Monaco, the Oceanographic Institute, Prince Albert I of Monaco Foundation, Monaco Impact
and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, gathered more than 90 students and young entrepreneurs
from all around the globe. This international competition, targeting students and young entrepreneurs,
aims to concretely support the creation and development of start-ups capable of demonstrating a positive
impact on the preservation of the Ocean in the short or medium term.

The hundred-odd participants from 24 universities and representing about 25 nationalities (US, Canada,
Deutschland, Sweden, Italy, France...), worked from mid-January to the end of April 2024 on a business plan for
presenting their new business concepts for a more sustainable ocean.

Overall, 40 projects were submitted, and after two selection stages, 6 of them were selected for the Grand Finale
divided into the “Students” and “Start-ups” categories. Like a pitch competition, the finalists were invited to
present and defend their project, by delivering a speech on the stage of the Conference room of the
Oceanographic Museum, in order to convince the jury members.

This Grand Finale ended with a networking cocktail where the finalists and winners were able to interact with the
guests, namely enterprise's stakeholders.

The 2024 Edition winners

« Students » category

Nema

University of the Côte d'Azur; nationality of project leaders: American

An innovative supplier of blue energy, which transforms marine mechanical energy (waves and currents) into a sustainable and reliable system producing electricity.

Awards

➔ Two checks of €1000, offered by CFM Indosuez Wealth Management and Inalve;
➔ Half a day of freediving initiation for each member of the team, offered by the BLUENERY ACADEMY;
➔ A photograph of Greg Lecoeur, offered by its author.

« Start-ups » category

INNOV&SEA

Open to all entrepreneurs who are creating or have created a business after 2022.

(Company registered in France) - An innovative and eco-responsible in vitro ecotoxicity test to help formulate products that are more respectful of the marine environment, founded within the Research Institute on Cancer and Aging of Nice (IRCAN).

Awards

➔ An “Accelerator Program: Investment Ready Service” (support for business creation)
(worth €7,000) and a “Virtual Spotlight Event”, offered by White Castle Partners;
➔ A check of €5,000, offered by Monaco Impact;
➔ Checks of €1000, offered by CFM Indosuez Wealth Management and Inalve;
➔ Half a day of introduction to freediving for each member of the team, offered by the BLUENERY ACADEMY;
➔ A day of freediving initiation, offered by Pierre Frolla.

« Coup de Coeur » Award

AQUA

(International University of Monaco; nationalities of project leaders: German and American): Harnessing cutting-edge drone technology and artificial intelligence to clean the oceans, thus guaranteeing a more sustainable future.

Awards

➔ A check of €2,000, offered by CFM Indosuez Wealth Management;

➔ The opportunity to present the project to the Executive Committee of CFM Indosuez
Wealth Management in Monaco.