UCSC Student Founders Invited to Pitch for $10,000 in Ocean Exchange Collegiate Awards
University of California, Santa Cruz students with innovative solutions for ocean, climate, and sustainability challenges are invited to apply for the prestigious Ocean Exchange Collegiate Awards. The competition offers three non-dilutive grants of $10,000 each for student-led startups and projects with the potential for real-world ocean impact and for-profit scalability. The application deadline is September 17, 2025.
The Ocean Exchange Collegiate Awards are a startup-style competition for student innovators working to create a healthier planet. Whether developing a new technology, a scalable product, or an impactful system, students are encouraged to pitch their big ideas for a chance to win significant funding.
Finalists in the competition will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to pitch their ideas live on stage to a distinguished audience of leaders from business, science, and policy. This event provides a unique opportunity to gain exposure, network with industry professionals, and secure funding to bring their solutions to life.
Orcelle Winner - CarbonBridge, Manu Pillai (pictured right)
Neptune Winner - Oyster Heaven, George Birch, MBA (pictured left)
Neptune Winner - Phoenix Waste Solutions, Yuen-Li Chan O (center)
The Santa Cruz area has a rich history of fostering innovative startups focused on sustainability and the blue economy. Previous local companies and initiatives have made their mark in this space, including:
CarbonBridge, a startup involved in Santa Cruz Accelerates Cohort 5, specializes in converting gas into clean marine energy using microbes won the Orcelle® Award in 2024.
Cruz Foam: This Santa Cruz-based company has developed a biodegradable alternative to Styrofoam packaging using a biopolymer found in shrimp shells. The company has been featured in local green tech events and is a prime example of the kind of innovative solutions emerging from the region.
The Ocean Exchange Collegiate Awards are an ideal platform for UCSC students to follow in these footsteps, leveraging the university’s strong foundation in marine science and coastal sustainability.
Interested students can learn more and apply at www.oceanexchange.org. The application process is designed to be straightforward, encouraging student founders to share their vision for a better future.
