Investing in Ocean and Climate Solutions — A Climate Week NYC Event hosted by SOA

Where to begin in summing up an evening I’ll always remember during #ClimateWeekNYC 2023?

I’d be remiss in recapping Sustainable Ocean Alliance ’s inaugural Ecopreneur Network event, Investing in Ocean and Climate Solutions, without expressing gratitude to our event sponsors. Many thanks to our visionary supporters—all tireless champions of climate and ocean solutions—at Drawdown Fund, Builder’s Vision, and Coleman Family Ventures .

Without each of your organizations, this night of networking and connection-building (one that will undoubtedly result in more, measurable progress for our planet and humanity), would not have been possible.

Now, I want to set the scene.?

Onboard the Cloud Nine Charter vessel with the invaluable support of Spotlight Media Live and Particle Marketing & Growth Strategies , SOA was proud to incorporate solutions from the minds of our very own founders to produce a sustainably-focused event. Aligned with all of our shared goals and values, we worked with our ecopreneurs to minimize the gathering’s footprint.?

Simultaneously, we effectively created a microcosm of a renewed, regenerative world. One where products are a net positive to nature and consumers have choices to minimize their planetary impact. One where innovators have secured the funding they need to disrupt harmful industries like single-use plastic packaging, fossil-fueled transportation, artificial foods, and beyond.

I’m so proud of and grateful to each of the following startups for providing products and services during the event:?

• Cruz Foam for creating an innovative and dynamic photo backdrop from Cruz Foam materials
• AKUA PBC ?? ?? for serving their delicious kelp burgers and krab cakes
• Muuse for providing reusable cups for drinks onboard and in take-home gift bags
• LOLIWARE Inc. for offering their seaweed straws for drinks
• Sway for decorating our immersive experience with their seaweed films as decor and as wrapping the gift bags
• And Oceanworks? for providing item-tracking tags created from reclaimed ocean plastic as gifts for attendees!

And those weren’t the only startups who had a presence onboard. I was so happy to welcome more of our solutions, including the founders and representatives of Aquaai Corporation , ALORA , Blue Ocean Gear , bound4blue , B'ZEOS , Coral Vita , Current Foods ?? , Finless Foods , Hohonu , microTERRA , Navier , OCEANIUM , Photon Marine , PlanBlue , PlanetCare , rePurpose Global , Returnity , Seawater Solutions , and Urchinomics . The power of having this many talented geniuses under one roof cannot be understated.

The ingenuity of these ecopreneurs was complimented by the expertise of our SOA Board attendees, who tirelessly guided us in our mission to restore the health of the ocean in this lifetime.

I cannot thank each of you enough who were with us in spirit or in person. For your governance across our capacity building as an organization, and for supporting grassroots initiatives, grantee projects, and youth leaders worldwide.

Especially in the context of this event, please accept my gratitude for your presence, advice, advocacy, and shared belief in accelerating for-profit startups: Kim K. , Christina Ochoa, David Brekke , and Trond Wuellner ( Eva Zlotnicka & Jitendra Kavathekar , you were greatly missed!).

I want to especially acknowledge the entire SOA Dream Team who joined us and who provided invaluable support in making the event a reality and a major success.

Everyone at SOA had some level of involvement in the success of this event (whether onboard or through remote support), from coordinating invites and arranging logistics to providing support on board and capturing special moments throughout the night.?

Please know how much I value each of you and truly believe each of you to be a force of nature. SOA is so lucky to have you: Kimberly Vallée , Melissa Murray , Brandon Ross Levy , Debra Burke , Doreen Wong , Benjamin Lesage , and Sabrina Skelly .

Our guest speakers also deserve a moment of recognition, I could think of no greater honor than to welcome to the event:?

• CEO & Founder of the Drawdown Fund and my “big brother” Erik Snyder who offered humble and comedic commentary, opening remarks, and introductions.?
• Respected environmentalist, entrepreneur, author, activist, and Drawdown Fund Founding Partner, Paul Hawken , who left me speechless and moved by his generous accolades for and recognition of my leadership and vision, and the efforts and impact of our organization.?

Thank you both for selflessly sharing your wealth of influence, knowledge, and connections to empower and benefit our community. Both of you inspired and informed attendees and set the tone for an evening of meaningful connection and collaboration.

In sum, everyone who was onboard shared common beliefs and a unique goal. It was so inspiring to be surrounded by peers committed to urgently reengineering and replacing extractive processes, products, and industries with innovative alternatives.?

Where once the dire situation of our planet seemed unsolvable and hopeless, now all of our efforts and energy are being directed to scaling innovative, impactful SOLUTIONS globally.?

Between the event attendees, our organizations, and communities we’ve built and connected, and each of you reading this post right now, I know we can safeguard humanity’s future.?Together.

— Daniela V. Fernandez