CIE to Host Fourth Annual Ocean Innovation Conference

The center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship will host the fourth annual Ocean Innovation Conference on Tuesday, Sept. 29 at the Burney Center on the UNC Wilmington campus.

For more information and to register, visit the CIE website

The Ocean Innovation Conference is an annual gathering of investors, innovators, researchers, students and community members for a high-energy day of ideas, collaboration and solutions. The event brings together people who care deeply about our oceans and coastal communities.

This year's keynote speaker is Hanli Prinsloo, a South African freediving champion, ocean conservationist and founder of I AM WATER Ocean Conservation. A multiple South African freediving record holder, Prinsloo has built a career that blends ocean exploration, conservation and entrepreneurship. She is also a co-founder of AGULHAS Ocean Gear and the expedition company OCEAN TRAVEL. Through her speaking and conservation work, she inspires audiences to reconnect with the ocean while exploring themes of resilience, purpose and the human-nature connection.

Prinsloo's keynote will take place at 12:30 p.m. during the conference lunch session.

New to the Conference this year:

• Startup Showcase – Founders deliver a pitch to share their breakthrough technologies shaping the future of our oceans.
• Interactive Activity – Attendees will work together to brainstorm their own startup ideas, and a select few will have the chance to pitch to the audience.
• More Structured Networking Time & Innovation Fair Booths – Meet new people and potential new partners.

This year's panels:

• From Pilot to Scale: Commercializing the Blue Economy
• The Digital Ocean: AI, Data, Cybersecurity & Maritime Security
• From Sea to Table: Feeding the Future

Additional programming will be announced as the conference approaches.

UNCW students will once again be able to attend for free. Students should email cie@uncw.edu for a registration code.