Top Eight Solution Finalists for BIG Pitch $10,000 Award Are Announced
The eighth annual Ocean Exchange event October 7-9, 2018 in Savannah, GA will feature eight collegiate finalists for the fourth year of the BIG Pitch Competition. These undergraduate & graduate sustainability-themed innovations were developed to improve economies, health, and the environment.
The eight collegiate finalists will present their solutions on Oct. 7 in front of delegates from businesses, NGOs, academia, and government. Delegates vote for the recipient of a $10,000 cash award, sponsored by the Georgia Southern University College of Business.
This year’s BIG Pitch finalist solutions are:
AWES (African Women Energy Solutions)
Brandeis University
Produce and sell biogas and organic fertilizer from community-run bio-digesters in conjunction with women’s groups in developing countries in Africa.
FLUX Marine
Boston University
Design, manufacture and market electric outboard motors for the recreational boating industry, with lower maintenance, increased reliability and minimized pollution.
Green Robotics Innovation Project (GRIP)
Virginia Commonwealth University
Aquatic robot that uses optical identification to collect marine plastics, dynamically responding to conditions in its environment.
SALI-bar
Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (Mexico)
Point of care test using high specificity molecular diagnosis for early detection of bovine pregnancy, thereby reducing herd maintenance activities of females and reducing stress caused by conventional tests which impact herd birth rates.
Surge Power Materials
Texas State University
Renewably sourced, lower cost, high surface area graphene for advanced batteries.
Symbrosia
Yale University and University of California Santa Barbara
Closed system using red microalgae and Whiteleg shrimp with the objective to sustainably farm shrimp while producing seaweed for incorporation into cattle feed with resulting methane reduction from the livestock.
TX2O
Texas State University
Reusable filtration canisters for water treatment from oil and gas extraction, solving today’s problem of costly, environmentally sensitive disposal of conventional canisters.
Vita Inclinata Technologies
Seattle University
Revolutionary control system for hoisting industry to be used in helicopter rescue or any suspended loads in cranes, drone deliveries and fire-fighting operations for increased safety.
Our experts with backgrounds in intellectual property law, sustainable design, healthy oceans, energy, materials science, chemical engineering, and environmental strategy and operations reviewed and selected the top eight collegiate solutions. The winner will be selected following presentations at the Oct. 7 event.
Ocean Exchange™ accelerates the adoption of solutions that help economies, health and the environment while respecting cultures around the world.
For more information and a listing of major sponsors please visit www.OceanExchange.org or contact Millicent.Pitts@oceanexchange.org. She can be reached at 912-257-0209.