OIO and For Blue Join Forces to Scale Sustainable Blue Economy Solutions Across Asia Pacific

For immediate release
SYDNEY & PERTH, 10 APRIL 2024

New Partnership to Expand Support from the Indian to the Pacific

Ocean Impact Organisation (OIO) and For Blue have today announced a strategic partnership to improve ocean health and advance a sustainable blue economy across Australia and Southeast Asia.

With the two organisations based on opposite sides of Australia and focused on their respective oceans – OIO in Sydney/Gadigal (Pacific Ocean) and For Blue in Fremantle/Walyalup (Indian Ocean) – the collaboration underscores their shared commitment to drive innovation, investment, and transformative business practices throughout the region.

*Ocean Impact Organisation’s CEO Nick Chiarelli and For Blue’s Managing Director Andrew Outhwaite at the Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre in Crawley, WA*

“‘I’m really excited about working with For Blue to grow the blue economy innovation ecosystem in Australia and Southeast Asia,’ said Nick Chiarelli, CEO of Ocean Impact Organisation, ‘By working together on ecosystem development initiatives, combining our networks, and syncing our respective startup innovation offerings we are able to extend the depth and length of support provided to Australian and Southeast Asian ocean health startups, and grow the available capital pool in the region.’”

*Nick Chiarelli and Andrew Outhwaite during the closing fireside chat of the Blue Growth Conference in Fremantle, WA.*

“Andrew Outhwaite, Managing Director of For Blue said, ‘At For Blue, we are deeply passionate about scaling innovations and growing sustainable blue economies. We, like OIO, exist to improve the health of our ocean, so partnering on our aligned mission and bringing together our complementary strengths makes perfect sense. Together, we look forward to collaborating on initiatives that will unlock new opportunities, foster innovation, and create lasting, positive benefits for future generations.’”

Together, OIO and For Blue are embarking on a strategic roadmap to foster collaboration, spur growth, and amplify impact across Australia and Southeast Asia, through:

Participation in each other's flagship events.
Leveraging shared networks to nurture portfolio companies.
And joint efforts in regional activations.

For Blue, OIO, and other delegates of the Blue Growth Conference (from across Australia and the APAC region) on a site tour of Uluu’s lab at the Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre in Waterman’s Bay, WA

The partnership aims to catalyse innovation and sustainable development across the blue economy. The potential for a vibrant blue economy in Southeast Asia is especially high given the wealth and biodiversity of its natural resources. The region is a centre of marine biodiversity globally, with:

31% of the world’s mangroves
33% of seagrass beds
One-third of the world’s coral reefs

Source: Asian Development Bank

The SE Asia region is also responsible for:

80% of global aquaculture
60% of the world’s wild-capture fisheries
And is the conduit for 90% of world trade through shipping.

Source: Asian Development Bank

“‘Partnerships like this are exactly what is required if we’re to build a more resilient, prosperous, and sustainable blue economy in the region.’ Nick Chiarelli said in closing. ”

For press enquiries please contact:

**Tim Silverwood**
Head of Marketing and Community
info@ocean-impact.org

About OIO

Ocean Impact Organisation (OIO) helps startups make their greatest impact through funding and growth opportunities. Headquartered in Australia with a focus on the Asia-Pacific region, our commercialisation programs and support initiatives accelerate the best solutions to transform ocean health. OIO has supported 99 startups and entrepreneurs since launching in 2020 (to Dec 2023) and has an ambitious goal to facilitate $100M of funding for ocean-related ventures. OIO’s initiatives and cohort-based programs include the Ocean Impact Pitchfest, the Ocean Impact Accelerator Program, the Ocean Impact Ideation Program, INNOVOCEAN, and the Ocean Impact Podcast. At the forefront of the ocean health innovation ecosystem, OIO is passionately driving impact and investment into the rapidly emerging sustainable blue economy.

About For Blue

For Blue’s purpose is to enrich ocean health and human wealth, together, forever. Established in 2019 with a focus on the Indian Ocean and SE Asia region, For Blue works with innovators, investors, and partners to commercialise ocean innovations, grow sustainable blue economies, and generate significant value and ocean health benefits. Since 2019, For Blue has worked with more than 290 ventures and directly helped attract more than $11 million in investment. And, in collaboration with more than 30 partners, has delivered 11 major forums and three ongoing initiatives, engaging more than 3000 participants from Australia and SE Asia. These collaborative initiatives include the annual Blue Growth and Engineering Ocean Solutions conferences, Blue Gravity program, and Blue Assembly alliance. For Blue reinvests 1% of revenue and 50% of profits into ocean health ventures.