Ocean
Join the Ocean Challenge and reimagine how innovation can save our oceans. Create real-world solutions for marine health, sustainability, and blue economy growth.
Open to Young People, group ages 13-17 and 18- 29
What is the Ocean Challenge?
The Ocean Challenge invites young thinkers, creators, and entrepreneurs to dive deep into the issues affecting our oceans and bring forth innovative, tech-powered solutions. Whether it’s marine plastic reduction, sustainable fishing, or AI-powered monitoring systems—your idea could be the ripple that creates waves.
Hosted across Canada, this challenge is your chance to help shape the future of our oceans while developing cutting-edge skills.
Why This Challenge is Important for Canada?
Canada has the world’s longest coastline and a deep economic, cultural, and ecological connection to its oceans. From climate change to overfishing, our marine ecosystems face serious threats. Through Ocean innovations, we can address these challenges while empowering young people to become environmental leaders and creators of sustainable solutions.
What’s In It For You?
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
Entrepreneurial Mindset
Tech Skills in Sustainability, Robotics & AI
Pitching & Presentation Skills
Certificate of Participation
Cash Prizes & Awards
Mentorship by Ocean Tech Experts
Impactful Community Recognition
Whether you win or not, you’ll walk away with skills that matter, connections that help, and confidence that lasts.
Why is NFTEC Organizing This Challenge?
NFTEC (Network Fostering Tomorrow’s Entrepreneurs Canada) is dedicated to cultivating a global mindset of innovation and resilience. By bringing this challenge to Canada, we aim to:
Spark a wave of entrepreneurial creativity around climate and ocean health
Encourage young minds to develop practical blue economy solutions
Nurture local talent that can redefine ocean tech and marine conservation
This is not just a competition—it’s a movement toward sustainable futures.
What You’ll Learn by Competing
How to identify real-world environmental problems
How to create sustainable ocean innovations
How to build & pitch a business or tech idea
How to think like a tech-savvy entrepreneur
How to collaborate and communicate your ideas effectively
Timelines
Steps to Participate
Brainstorm Your Idea
Think about how ocean health can be improved with tech or innovation.Select Your Challenge
Choose BlueTech Builders – Innovations for a Healthy Ocean.Create a Pitch Deck (PPT or PDF)
Showcase your idea, the problem, the solution, and its impact.Record a 2–3 Min Pitch Video
Upload to YouTube as unlisted and save the link.Fill Out the Registration Form
Include all your info and upload files/links.Submit Before Deadline
Late entries won’t be accepted, so don’t wait!
Unlisted Video on Youtube?
If you havent uploaded an unlisted video to youtube, Do go through this video to help you out. An unlisted video makes it easier for you to showcase your content and at the same time it stays private to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our FAQs section provides quick and clear answers to common questions about the challenge, making it easy for you to find the information you need. Designed to enhance your experience, this section saves you time and helps you understand the challenge.
Anyone between the ages of 13 and 30 living in Canada is eligible to participate. No prior experience in ocean science or entrepreneurship is required—just passion and curiosity!
You can participate individually or as a team (up to 4 members). If you’re joining as a team, you only need to submit one entry, but make sure to include everyone’s names and contact info on the registration form.
Your idea should address a problem related to ocean health—this could include plastic pollution, marine biodiversity, coastal erosion, sustainable fisheries, or ocean-based tech like sensors, drones, or AI applications. It can be a product, service, app, or business concept!
You’ll need to submit:
A PowerPoint or PDF pitch deck that explains your idea
A 2–3 minute video where you pitch your idea (uploaded to YouTube as Unlisted)
A completed registration form with your personal and project details
This is a real entrepreneurship challenge hosted by NFTEC in partnership with innovation and ocean advocacy partners. Your ideas will be reviewed by real experts, mentors, and possibly even investors!
All eligible participants will receive:
A Certificate of Participation
Access to mentorship and learning materials
A chance to win cash prizes and be featured on NFTEC platforms
Recognition across NFTEC’s social and partner networks
Not at all! Whether you’re a budding coder, a science enthusiast, an artist, or a dreamer—your creativity and impact matter most. We’ll even guide you through the process via toolkits, templates, and helpful prompts.
Land Acknowledgement
We would like to begin by acknowledging that we are gathered on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of Indigenous Peoples. We recognize and deeply respect the historic connection of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples to this land. We also acknowledge the enduring presence and contributions of Indigenous Peoples to this land and to Canada.