Last year, I kicked off 2021 with Seaworthy's Roadmap for a Regenerative Blue Economy, which laid out the foundations for what we would achieve in our first year. I introduced our vision for launching the first ocean and climate impact venture studio that would drive the development of regenerative systems of solutions and blue economies at scale. While our team certainly expanded on what was outlined in the roadmap, I managed to articulate many of the goals that we would end up accomplishing with our first cohort.
From our Cafecito Talk with Miami Mayor Francis Suarez to our 20+ virtual panels including some incredible guests, you can catch up on everything that happened in our first year with the recap here. Ultimately, the greatest milestone was putting Miami on the map as a globally recognized BlueTech hub, a result of Seaworthy's recent inclusion in the 1000 Ocean Startups Coalition. Altogether, we were able to not only achieve, but exceed all our ambitions for year 1.
Enabling all of this was the incredible effort of our tireless team of volunteers. You read that right - volunteers. We were able to accomplish all our goals with one full-time employee and a revolving team of 15 to 20 part-time early career professionals, graduate students, and undergraduates, as well as with the support of our amazing advisors. We demonstrated exactly what can be done when you bring together motivated people with shared passions and a unified vision.
While this is a remarkable achievement, it's also a symptom of the limited financial support available for ecosystem development. With our body of proof now behind us, we're ramping up our fundraising efforts so we can hire our first full time employees in the next 60 days. Although we've shared it previously, we're finally kicking our fundraise into gear to kick off 2022 - we're raising $1 million between seed investment in our for-profit (Collective) as well as philanthropic support and grants for our non-profit (Foundation).
We're looking for angel investors and philanthropists alike who can provide the catalytic capital for Seaworthy to accomplish our even more ambitious goals for 2022, which are laid out following this section. In addition to the over $30,000 in recent grants the Seaworthy Foundation won between Gitcoin and 1000 Gretas, as well as a $10,000 sponsorship earlier this year from Schmidt Marine Technology Partners, Seaworthy Collective already has multiple investors on board helping to kick off its seed round. Those interested in supporting Seaworthy can contact us here.
Diving Into Our Overarching Goals For 2022
For 2022, we're setting out to more than double what we accomplished in year 1. Building on the success of our inaugural cohort of 10 startups, we're planning to launch venture studio cohort 2 in March and cohort 3 in August. Altogether, this year we'll impact and grow 20 startups: 4 co-created and 16 existing startups. Additionally, we'll continue to advance the development of regenerative systems of solutions and blue economies.
We look for two distinct groups of applicants for our venture studio:
Current Founders - A startup founder with a scalable solution driving measurable impact on ocean degradation and/or climate change. As highlighted in the results of our first cohort, we are stage-agnostic, crossing verticals and stages through focusing on driving individual traction and collaboration.
Aspiring Founders - Anyone with a passion for ocean and climate impact with the willingness to take the leap into ocean entrepreneurship. We co-create a startup with you and an interdisciplinary team of fellow Sea Change Makers. This is a PREREQUISITE-FREE opportunity to get into this field - no marine science degree or PhD required!
Both groups are expected to embody our community's ANCHORED values. If you're a current or aspiring ocean and climate impact startup founder interested in getting involved in our next cohort, learn more and apply for our Opportunities for Sea Change here.
The application deadline for our next cohort is January 30!
And that's not all! Over the summer, in between venture studio cohorts, we'll be launching the Seaworthy Foundation's social impact program, the Sea Change Fellowship. The Sea Change Fellowship is a six week program focused on the individual development of aspiring ocean and climate impact founders and operators, with a significant focus on individuals from underserved and underrepresented communities.
As Seaworthy Foundation's Co-Executive Director Stephanie Wright articulated at our inaugural startup showcase, the Sea Change Fellowship is "our intentional and driven effort to make ocean entrepreneurship more diverse. We are providing not only opportunities for black and brown communities, but also access to the industry." Our goal for this year is to impact at least 20 aspiring sea change makers in our inaugural fellowship cohort. Applications for the fellowship program will open in March.
Seaworthy Foundation’s work will decrease socioeconomic barriers in ocean innovation to build an equitable blue economy. By scaling our social impact programs specifically to underserved communities, we will create educational programming that is accessible and inclusive that builds an interdisciplinary community of climate change entrepreneurs and leaders.
We also have partnerships in progress with community based organizations so that we follow through on our intention to meet people where they are. This human-centered design approach is consistent with how we've built our venture studio program as well.
New Ways Seaworthy Will Support Sea Change Makers
Seaworthy Startup & Individual Memberships
For everyone who approached us asking "How can Seaworthy help?" when we were in the middle of our first cohort this is for you! We will be launching two types of annual memberships this year to create more access to Seaworthy's resources, and more opportunities for our team to get hands on with current and aspiring BlueTech founders.
Seaworthy Collective Startup Memberships - Launching Q1 Our startup memberships will include access to: - Investor and grantor databases - Exclusive virtual networking events with members of our network - Tools to help you get funded (refining your pitch, business model, and more) - Consultations to help connect you with resources and a few members of our network, which will be one time or quarterly depending on membership level
Seaworthy Foundation Individual Memberships - Launching Q2 Our individual memberships will include access to: - Curated educational content on opportunities in regenerative ocean innovation - Exclusive virtual networking events with members of our network - Mentor matchmaking - Curated ideation tools, innovation methodologies, and collaborator networks for diving deeper into ocean innovation
We also have collaborations in the works for each membership type involving leading organizations in impact entrepreneurship and marine technology. We will be continually growing both membership offerings, and will launch a dedicated page on our website with more information. Stay tuned!
Keep an eye on our social media for more testimonials from members of our first venture studio cohort!
The Ocean Regeneration Fund & Expanding Our Community
Seaworthy spent 2021 building out how we could support startups primarily in forms of value beyond finance, while lining up investing partners to provide access to capital. For 2022, we're looking forward to building our own $10 to $20 million dollar fund to co-invest alongside our investing partners. This will help drive the support and traction our startups need to succeed.
We see this as another opportunity rooted in community. We're excited to expand our community to more intentionally include current and aspiring ocean and climate impact investors, in addition to entrepreneurs. And just as our individual membership can educate aspiring entrepreneurs in the space, potential investors can learn how BlueTech can generate massive impact and return on investment.
Seaworthy's Ocean Regeneration Fund will be far from traditional venture capital. We're planning to leverage innovative mechanisms in Web3 to catalyze economic drivers for ocean and climate impact and develop a scalable model for regenerative finance. We can't wait to share our impact and financial frameworks for a regenerative blue economy later this month during the UltraMarine Ocean Action Summit at Sir Richard Branson's Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands!
Join the Seaworthy Community
We're getting back to our community building roots, and this is an open invite for anyone to join! As always, we're looking for:
More current and aspiring ocean and climate impact entrepreneurs and investors (also known as Sea Change Makers)!
You can also join our Discord by clicking the link below:
Additionally, we’re growing the Seaworthy Team! We are currently looking to hire a full-time programs director, and there are also opportunities for spring interns! Interested in joining our team? Learn more and apply here.
Upcoming Events & Collaborations
So what's coming up next? We' can't wait to kick off the year with some incredible events!
Miami Hack Week - Kickoff Event + Regenerative Entrepreneur and Investor Days with Ziome
January 23 - 30
We'll be co-hosting the kickoff event to Miami Hack week with our new strategic partners at Ziome! Additionally, we'll host events to help cultivate the larger regenerative Miami community between Ziome and Seaworthy, bringing together investors and entrepreneurs for workshops, education, and more! Sponsorship opportunities will be available - for sponsorship requests email info@seaworthycollective.com
Seaworthy's Next Sea Change Makers Series Panel: Mangrove Restoration and Blue Carbon
January 26
Featuring:
Kyle Rossin, Co-Founder & CEO of MANG
Dr. Margaux Filippi former Director of Ocean Science of Running Tide
We'll discuss the regenerative opportunities of mangroves with leading experts in mangrove restoration and blue carbon. This panel will aim to help inspire potential regenerative hackers during hack week, while branching out to touch on opportunities for innovation as well.
January 30 - February 5
Seaworthy will be heading to Sir Richard Branson's Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands for the annual ocean summit, aimed to inspire people who are successful doers to bring their skills to ocean conservation, and to bring ocean conservation into their fields.
February 17
The Synapse Summit is a one day event at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL, to celebrate, discover and engage Florida's innovation community! Connect in-person or virtually at Florida’s 5th annual premiere innovation event. Use the code Seaworthy2021 for a registration discount.
March 3 -7
Stephanie and I will both be representing Seaworthy at Aspen Institute's multi-day gathering of young leaders (ages 18-30) that aims to empower these individuals that will be shaping and driving our response to the climate crisis.
Venture Studio Cohort 2 Launch
Early March
If you're a current or aspiring ocean and climate impact startup founder interested in getting involved in our next cohort, learn more and apply for our Opportunities for Sea Change here.
National Ocean Exploration Forum
March 28 - 31
Seaworthy will be a breakout session co-leader at the National Ocean Exploration Forum at University of Texas at Austin. The Forum will strive to create a “blueprint” for the next 10 years (2022-2032) of ocean exploration.
And we have even more in the works for 2022! We can't wait for our next joint event with the Frost Science Museum, our long overdue collaboration with The Shrimp Society, and our first Seaworthy dive trip!
Final Thoughts
This is just the tip of the iceberg of what's coming for Seaworthy in 2022. This past year provided all the validation we needed to know we're already moving the needle on systems change for BlueTech, and 2022 will be our first full year moving forward with the confidence and credibility we've earned. As I have previously shared in our design thinking methodology (below), building a startup is an alternating flux of flaring out to explore possibilities and focusing in to execute on a concrete vision. The last quarter of 2021 was absolutely a flaring out period for us, but now we're truly ready to focus on what's to come in 2022.
As always, we're incredibly grateful to everyone who's been along for the journey to this point, and we can't wait to welcome a whole new wave of current and aspiring Sea Change Makers into our community this year!
Daniel Kleinman
Founder & CEO
Daniel@SeaworthyCollective.com
TLDR / Key Takeaways:
- Seaworthy is kicking its fundraise into gear. We're raising $1 million between seed investment in our for-profit (Collective) and philanthropy and grants for our non-profit (Foundation). We're looking for angel investors and philanthropists alike who can provide the catalytic capital for Seaworthy to accomplish our even more ambitious goals for 2022. Seaworthy Collective already has multiple investors on board helping to kick off its seed round. Those interested in supporting Seaworthy can contact us here.
- For 2022, we're setting out to more than double what we accomplished in year 1, through two cohorts as well as the launch of our social impact fellowship program. Cohort 2 launches in March; current and aspiring entrepreneurs may apply here.
- Seaworthy will be launching startup and individual membership options for those looking to access our resources beyond our formal programs.
- Seaworthy will also be launching its $10 to $20 million Ocean Regeneration Fund this year. We're expanding our community to more intentionally include current and aspiring ocean and climate impact investors (in addition to innovators and entrepreneurs).
- We're also looking to grow our mentor and collaborator network, philanthropic and foundation sponsors, and corporate, investing, and strategic partners.
- We’re growing the Seaworthy Team! We're currently looking to hire a full-time programs director, and there are opportunities for spring interns. Learn more and apply here.
- We've got some incredible events coming up to kick off the year, starting with Miami Hack Week with our friends at Ziome, and ending the month at the UltraMarine Ocean Action Summit at Sir Richard Branson's Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands! Make sure you're following our social media and subscribed to our newsletter for more details.
About Seaworthy:
Seaworthy Collective is a startup community and venture studio driving regenerative ocean and climate impact. Seaworthy and its non-profit foundation foster a more accessible, inclusive, and interdisciplinary ocean innovation field (BlueTech). Seaworthy activates its community of current and aspiring BlueTech entrepreneurs and investors through its venture studio, co-creating and growing startups to develop systems of solutions and blue economies at scale.