Over 250 participants engaged in meetings, workshops, and pitch presentations to connect with partners and explore investment opportunities for scaling their solutions.
On 3 March, the Mission ‘Restore Our Ocean and Waters’ hosted a matchmaking event during the European Ocean Days, fostering collaboration among key stakeholders, including Charter signatories, research and innovation projects, businesses and investors. The event aimed to accelerate the uptake and replication of solutions to meet the Mission’s ambitious goals.
Coming from across Europe and beyond, participants explored new partnerships, investment opportunities, and shared project ideas. With over 300 meetings taking place, the event served as a strategic meeting point to forge cross-border collaborations and inspire future initiatives. In parallel, Coordination and Support Actions (CSAs) funded by the Mission organised insightful workshops on the development of a joint Mission Ocean and Waters monitoring framework, innovative business models, regulatory frameworks and the financial ecosystem.
A highlight of the event was the ‘Opportunities Stage’, where selected participants delivered dynamic 90-second pitches as part of the matchmaking process, presenting their projects in search of potential partners, investors and collaborators. The stage featured 23 projects from across Europe’s Sea basins, showcasing innovative solutions for protecting and restoring marine and freshwater ecosystems, combating pollution, and advancing a carbon-neutral, circular blue economy. From strengthening small island resource management to revolutionising sustainable seafood packaging, the session spotlighted a thriving community of changemakers behind the Mission. It highlighted inspiring initiatives with a shared goal: to create waves of impact for a sustainable blue future.
Access all presentations here.
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