Ocean Exchange Names Finalists for $400,000 in Non-Dilutive Awards

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA, September 25, 2026 — The Marine Technology Society (MTS) has announced the 2026 finalists for Ocean Exchange, its flagship program dedicated to accelerating innovative solutions for healthy oceans and a sustainable Blue Economy. Sixteen finalists will compete for $400,000 in non-dilutive awards during the annual Ocean Exchange event, taking place October 25-27 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The 2026 awards include two $100,000 Neptune Awards, one $100,000 Ocean Enterprise Award, and two $50,000 Florida Environmental Impact Awards, with the winners announced on October 27. 

This year's finalists represent a global field of innovators, including ten from the United States, one from Canada, two from Europe, one from North Africa, one from the Middle East, and one from Asia. Their solutions span aquaculture, carbon management, water management, data generation, shipping, coastal management, alternative materials, autonomy and robotics, and waste management. 

Winners will be selected based on the impact and innovation of their solutions, as well as their ability to execute and scale. Delegates representing business, academia, academia, government, and nonprofit organizations will vote to select the five award recipients. 

• The two Neptune Awards will recognize solutions that advance our understanding of the ocean and help minimize human impact on marine resources, contributing to healthier marine life, coastlines, and more resilient bodies of water. 
• The Ocean Enterprise Award, new in 2026, will recognize a solution that supports ocean observations, delivers improved data and services, and enables the growth of a sustainable Blue Economy and healthy oceans.
• The two Florida Environmental Impact Awards will recognize startups advancing innovative solutions that strengthen water quality, coastal ecosystems, fisheries, habitats, and resilience. 

"This year's event marks the 15th anniversary of the Ocean Exchange awards competition. Since the beginning, we have always been focused on searching for and rewarding Solutions Inspiring Action. These are innovative, proactive and scalable solutions with working prototypes that can leap across industries, economies and cultures—innovations that generate economic growth and increased productivity, while reducing the use of nature's resources and waste. It is so encouraging to see that our approach has been embraced by so many promising, nascent companies around the world," said Millicent Pitts, Executive Director of Ocean Exchange. 

The 2026 finalists are: 

• AC Biode (Japan)
• AIMM (U.S.)
• AmHyTech (U.S.)
• Amphitrite (Canada)
• BeamSea Associates (U.S.)
• Chitelix (Tunisia)
• Disperse Bio (Israel)
• Hybrid Reefs (U.S.)
• Ignition Packaging (U.S.)
• Konree Innovation (Ireland)
• Ocean Alliance (U.S.)
• Ocean State Sensing (U.S.)
• OctaPulse (U.S.)
• Subtidal (U.S.)
• TITANIUM TECHNOLOGY S.L. (Spain)
• VyCarb (U.S.)

For more information about the 2026 event, finalists, and Ocean Exchange, visit oceanexchange.org. 

About Ocean Exchange

Ocean Exchange, a flagship program of the Marine Technology Society (MTS), accelerates innovative solutions for healthy oceans and a sustainable Blue Economy by connecting entrepreneurs and innovators with funding, expertise, and a global network.