The award is hosted by SUBMARINER Network and funded by EIT Water — the European Institute of Innovation and Technology’s newest Knowledge and Innovation Community for water, marine and maritime innovation — with support from the Poul Due Jensen Foundation (Grundfos Foundation). It celebrates business ideas making marine protection and nature restoration more efficient and effective.
Any European start-up or spin-off working in this field can apply. Five finalists will be selected for the Berlin ceremony.
What winners receive
Three of the five finalists will win a one-year EIT Water membership, opening access to funding, business support and partners across Europe. The overall winner advances to the European WAVEMAKER final at the EIT Water Launch Event in Málaga on 15 October 2026, competing against regional winners from across the continent for the European title and a €5,000 prize.
All five finalists receive expert mentoring ahead of the event and a contribution towards travel costs to Berlin.
The ceremony follows the kick-off of SPHERE, an EU Mission Ocean project on marine protection and co-organiser of the event, coordinated by s.Pro Sustainable Projects. It’s a chance to meet more than 15 restoration partners from nine countries across Europe, experts from the MPA-Community Network, and others shaping the future of marine restoration.
How to apply
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 is your solution, what makes it innovative, and how does it differ from existing approaches? Focus on how your solution works and what is new about it.
- What measurable impact will your solution have on water and sustainability, and how will you measure it? Focus on the environmental outcomes your solution delivers, the numbers you expect, and how you will measure them.
- What impact will it have on water and sustainability, and how will you measure it?
- How viable and scalable is your business model?
- Who is on your team, and what progress have you made so far?
Come ready to show measurable outcomes and a clear path to market. Be quick, applications close 20 August 2026.
Would you like to join the audience, meet Europe’s marine restoration community and hear five ventures pitch live? Register your interest at info@submariner-network.eu.
FAQ
- When is the pitch event? 16 September 2026, Berlin (venue to be announced).
- Application deadline? 20 August 2026. Finalists are notified by 31 August.
- Who can apply? European start-ups and spin-offs working on marine protection and restoration.
- What do finalists get? A mentor, travel support, and a shot at a year of EIT Water membership.
- What does the winner get? A place in the Málaga final (15 October 2026) to compete with regional winners from across the continent for the European title and a EUR 5,000 prize.
Apply to pitch »
Questions? Contact info@submariner-network.eu.
