Jury, Experts and Advisors

Anette Nordvall

Venture Partner, Butterfly Ventures

Anette leads the OCC Jury Assembly and is an active early stage tech investor focusing on ICT and deep-tech science based innovation while adding global environmental goals into the mist. Anette has received multiple recognitions; One of Sweden’s most powerful tech investors 2016, Nordic 100 most influential persons 2018 and mentioned in EBAN 2018 report on 200+ most active Business Angels in Europe. Anette was crowned “Sweden’s nicest Business Angel” at Venture Cup Sweden 2018. Anette is a Partner at Stockholm Business Angels, Managing General Partner at Nordvest, Venture Partner at Butterfly Ventures, Chairwoman at “We Don’t Have Time”, Managing Partner and founding investor at Cross Nordic Capital and former Chapter President and CEO of Keiretsu Forum Nordics.

Ann Carpenter

Founder & CEO, Braid Theory

Secretário,

Assembleia Geral

Ann Lee Carpenter, the co-founder and CEO of Braid Theory, serves as an advisor to deep tech companies in ocean/maritime, transportation and goods movement, and related industrial sectors. She brings more than 30 years of experience in strategic planning, marketing, business development, and community outreach. Braid Theory, located at AltaSea in the Port of Los Angeles, focuses on efforts to grow a sustainable blue economy with pre-accelerator, accelerator and venture studio programs targeting blue economy entrepreneurs. These world leading programs connect seamlessly to Ocean Community Challenge for the awarded teams after completing OC acceleration preparation program, and final qualification assessment.

Rita Sousa

Partner, Blue Pioneers Fund

Rita Sousa is Partner at Faber Blue Pioneers Fund, an early-stage Fund, investing in the early stages of high potential deep-tech startups aiming for high positive impact on ocean sustainability and climate action. Rita has been working in VC for 7 years, is a jury member for the EIC/European Commission and has previously worked in energy & utilities, innovation and CRM consultancy. Rita is a Mechanical Engineer (IST), MSc. Energy/Environment (Strathclyde), MBA (AESE/IESE BS) and MiF (Católica BS).

Ron Tardiff

World Economic Forum, Ocean Innovation Lead and Lighthouse Lead 1000OceanStartUps

Ron leads the UpLink Ocean impact pillar at the World Economic Forum. Previously, he built the world’s largest network of young ocean leaders at Sustainable Ocean Alliance and launched the Ocean Solutions Microgrant Program, funding 200+ youth-led projects globally. With degrees in Marine Sciences and Sustainable Blue Growth, he has worked with 11 organizations and in 10 countries, focusing on ocean governance, innovation, and biodiversity restoration.

Robin Teigland

Professor, Chalmers University of Technology and Founder, Peniche Ocean Watch

Robin is Professor of Strategy and Management of Digitalization at Chalmers University of Technology. Apart from moving research forward, she has a long track record leading international projects, working with startups, digital transformation and implementation of digital technologies. Teigland is the Director of Ocean Data Factory in Sweden and as co-founder of the Ocean Tech Hub and @penicheoceanwatch, she co-initiated Ocean Community and is actively working to develop the blue circular economy in Peniche. 2017 and 2018 she was listed as one of the most influential women in tech in Sweden. In her free time, Robin enjoys surfing longboards waves and co-running her Ocean Tech Hub coworking/coliving space and Go4Surf school in Peniche, Portugal.

Ingrid Maurstad

Impact Director,

Katapult Ocean

Ingrid is the Katapult Ocean Impact Director, and she is passionate about ocean impact startups. Before she joined Katpult she worked in Ferd, investing in, and supporting social entrepreneurs. She has also extensive experience from financing and leading social inclusion projects in The Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports (NIF). Ingrid believes that companies with a positive impact on the world are the future, and that financially sustainable startups can scale great solutions for a thriving ocean.

Start-Up Mentors

Ana Pinela

Blue Economy Expert & Consultant

Ana holds a Master’s and PhD in Marine Sciences and has over 15 years of experience in research, consulting, and project management. Since 2018, after attending the Blue Growth Summer School at the University of Ghent, she has focused on managing Blue Economy projects, including leading the "Atlantic Smart Ports Blue Acceleration Network" for the European Commission. Ana combines scientific expertise and innovation to foster sustainable ocean practices and technologies.

Pedro Cerdeira

Founder & MD,

Business Plug

Pedro is a mentor, advisor and business angel passionate about the startup ecosystem, bridging the gap between investors and startups and helping companies to scale and develop their business internationally. He has mora than 25 years of experience in the Enterprise IT market, held several senior international business development, sales management and alliances and channel management positions in Oracle, Brocade, EMC2, Compaq/HP, Alcatel and Accenture. He holds a MSc in Computer Engineering, and 2 post-grads, Advanced Management Program for Executives, and Advanced
Program in Entrepreneurship & Innovation Management.

Jim Cooper

CEO, Blue-X

Jim Cooper has over 20 years of experience from start ups, market research, market intelligence and competitive analysis experience. Jim was co-founder and CTO for Braid Theory, an early stage start up advisory and consulting group in California, US with extensive traction in BlueTech. Jim also has a strong acumen innovation in the the field of Syntetic Bio. Jim is now the CEO for Sydney bases Blue-X.

César Couto Ferreira

Fábrica do Futuro

César is a Viacom and Vice Media Alumni and Co-Founder of Fábrica do Futuro in Porto Alegre, Brazil. This innovation hub mixes culture, arts and technology and has been granted a merit award from the city of Porto Alegre for its work with Innovation and Technology Development of the State of Rio Grande do Sul. César also Co-Founded ONG Instituto Fábrica focused on mental health and education. He is an Advisory Board Member of Enrich in Brazil and Co-Founder of TippingUP media activism organisation focused on SDGs2030. Mentor and advisor of several startups and scale-ups globally. César is a passionate scuba diver who embraces the ocean below the surface.

Bjorgolfur Havardsson

The Seafood Innovation

Cluster

Björgólfur is the Innovation Manager of The Seafood Innovation Cluster. He holds an MSc in aquaculture biology and has over 30 years of experience in all aspects of aquaculture in multiple geographies. He has an unbeatable network of industry actors globally and is dedicated to using his resources to push things forward, stimulating innovation, job creation, and sustainability.

Miguel Knudsen

Aqua-Spark

Miguel Knudsen was born and raised in Cali, Colombia. He holds a Master in Aquaculture and Marine Resource Management from Wageningen University. Prior to Joining Aqua-Spark, Miguel has worked as an Analyst at Andino Capital and as a management trainee at Hendrix Genetics. Miguel is passionate about entrepreneurship and business. Besides this, he loves to scuba dive and he enjoys salsa dancing.

Steffen Knodt

Deepblue Earth

Dr. Steffen Knodt is a seasoned entrepreneur with a focus on ocean impact. His work spans technology & innovation, corporate venturing and impact entrepreneurship, culminating in the founding of Deepblue Earth. As a founding member of the Africa-Europe Strategy Group on Ocean Governance, he bridges philanthropy, science, and business, collaborating globally to drive sustainable ventures in the blue economy. Dr. Steffen Knodt serves as the chairman of the German UN Ocean Decade Committee.

Andre Almeida Santos

Indico Capital Partners

André Almeida Santos is passionate about social innovation and environmental sustainability. With over 20 years of experience across the private sector, development finance institutions, and academic research, André specializes in responsible investment solutions. His focus is on preserving ocean health through venture impact investment in the Blue Economy. André advises governments on pro-poor policies, leads high-impact investment operations, and supports impact-driven entrepreneurs. His expertise includes Responsible Investment, Venture Capital, Adaptive Leadership, and Impact Investing.

Megan Sorby

Pine Island Redfish

Megan Sorby is the founder and CEO of Pine Island Redfish, leading its site selection, permitting, and biological preparation, including broodstock procurement and pilot production trials. With a Master’s in Sustainable Aquaculture from the University of Stirling and a BSc in Marine Biology and Chemistry from the University of Miami, she has nearly 20 years of experience in commercial aquaculture. Megan has specialized in new species development, land-based facility expansion, and broodstock management. Before Pine Island Redfish, she was Operations Manager for Kingfish Maine, establishing US operations and achieving their first harvest of 10,000 lbs in 2023.

Benjamin Algreen Adler

Luminary Labs

Benjamin Algreen Adler leads innovation programs targeting high-tech sectors like space, AI/ML, geospatial data, and healthcare. His focus is on collaborative product development to tackle pressing societal challenges. Benjamin has facilitated the awarding of over $50M in nondilutive funding globally, working with government agencies and industry leaders. Notably, in Medellín, Colombia, he spearheaded the city's open data strategy and launched its first open data portal through public-private partnerships. Currently, Benjamin is involved in several grand challenges, including MagQuest, Neuromod Prize, and the Bezos Earth Fund's $100M AI for Climate and Nature challenge.

Nickelle Presley

The Nature Conservancy

Nickelle Presley is an experienced tech professional deeply passionate about ocean health. As the Oceans Project Director for Conservation Innovation at The Nature Conservancy, she drives marine habitat restoration efforts. With a background in innovation strategy, Nickelle excels in expanding organizational impact and guiding growth. Previously, she led a Product organization at an EdTech startup, achieving a valuation over $1 billion. Now, Nickelle advises climate and ocean tech startups to scale sustainable solutions. She volunteers at marine centers and explores California's kelp forests, aiming to restore ocean health and promote stewardship. Interests include Ocean Tech, Climate Tech, and Sustainable Innovation.