5 Startups Pioneering Clean Energy and Technology for the Ocean

The Problem: Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions and Pollution

Greenhouse gases (GHGs) absorb infrared solar radiation and trap heat in the atmosphere, resulting in planetary warming, increased ocean temperatures, sea level rise, and more.

Carbon dioxide (CO2)—one of the most common and harmful GHGs—is absorbed in excess from the atmosphere by the ocean and leads to ocean acidification among other stressors that ultimately put ocean health at risk.

In 2023, global CO2 emissions reached a record high of 36.8 gigatons emitted.

The Solution: Clean Energy & Technology for the Ocean

By supporting solutions that remove or avoid GHG emissions, or that sequester and store CO2, we can help reduce these harmful environmental effects and improve the health of our ocean.

Through the incredible work of the diverse ocean-based solutions that Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA) supports, we have avoided or removed 1,143 metric tons of CO2 from the environment to date (see our impact here).

Get to know five innovative startups in SOA's Ecopreneur Network who are transforming energy and maritime technology for ocean health.

1. CALWAVE

Founders: Marcus Lehmann & Thomas Boerner

Mission: Unlocking the power of the ocean.

Wave power has the potential to satisfy 20-30% of global energy demand. CalWave Inc. ’s patented technology converts wave energy into electricity at high performance while surviving storms and extreme conditions.

2. NAVIER

Founder: Sampriti Bhattacharyya

Mission: Building the boat of the future.

Navier is on a mission to make waterways as accessible as roadways by building an all-electric, hydrofoiling boat to unlock a new form of clean, scalable waterborne transportation for both passengers and goods.

3. DESOLENATOR

Founders: William Janssen & Alexei Levene

Mission: Water purification powered by the sun.

Desolenator is the world’s first modular solar thermal desalination solution that works at scale, harnessing photons of the sun to treat saltwater, brackish water, or contaminated water with zero harmful chemicals for high-quality potable drinking water and ultrapure water.

4. BOUND4BLUE

Founders: Cristina Aleixendri Mu?oz & José Miguel Bermúdez Miquel

Mission: Powering the world with wind.

bound4blue offers a foldable and autonomous wing sail system for a wide range of vessels as a complementary propulsion system to produce effective thrust from existing winds, reduce the main engine power required, and deliver fuel consumption and pollutant emissions reductions of up to 40%.

5. PHOTON MARINE

Founder: Marcelino Alvarez

Mission: Systems built for a brighter future.

Photon Marine is developing the world’s most powerful and intelligent electric outboard motor system and fleet management software to replace traditional motors on both new and existing vessels—without compromising on performance or reliability.

Thanks for reading!

Stay tuned: the Ecopreneur Network will continue to grow. Look out for our Class of 2024 application cycle launch. To receive priority access to future Ecopreneur Network cycles, please click here.