This form is the application to pitch at the WAVEMAKER Marine Conservation Startup Award. Applying takes around one hour.
What to expect
The application form asks for short details about you and your venture, followed by five open-ended questions, each limited to 1,000 words. Completing the form takes approximately one hour, so we recommend preparing your answers in advance, as the form does not save progress. These are the five questions:
- What problem do you address, and why does it matter for marine protection and restoration? What evidence shows it matters?
- What is your solution, what makes it innovative and technically strong, and how does it differ from existing approaches?
- What measurable impact will your solution have on water and sustainability, and how will you measure it?
- How viable and scalable is your business model? Who are your customers, and what is your competitive positioning?
- Who is on your team, what relevant expertise do you bring, and what progress have you made so far (prototype, pilots, partnerships)?
Alongside the five questions you will also asked to upload your pitch deck as a single PDF. The deck supports your written answers and helps the evaluators understand your venture in more depth.
What happens next
Applications close on 20 August 2026. Independent evaluators will review all applications against the published criteria. Finalists will be notified by 31 August 2026 and will receive mentoring ahead of the live pitch in Berlin on 16 September 2026.