The UNDP Barbados & the Eastern Caribbean Blue Economy Accelerator Lab (Blue Lab), with support from the German Development Cooperation and the Qatar Fund for Development will launch the first-ever “Blue Tank” ­– a dynamic forum where innovators will pitch ideas to help build a sustainable blue economy in the Caribbean region.

The primary objective of the Blue Lab, as part of the world’s largest and fastest learning network, is to promote out-of-the-box-thinking and experimentation to support Small Island Developing States in the sustainable development of its ocean based economic sectors while contributing to SDG 14. Consequently, the Blue Tank has been conceptualised from this to advance the identification of new and creative grassroots solutions to the multifaceted and rapidly changing challenges of the blue economy.

Today’s changes are happening faster, and our challenges are more complex. As such, new solutions are needed.

The Blue Tank which will be held on January 13, 2020, will provide a platform where innovators can pitch their solutions to a panel of qualified judges and be selected for Blue Lab funding to accelerate the actualization and implementation of their ideas!

Innovators & Areas of Focus

 Eight innovators were shortlisted from a cadre of skilled candidates who responded to the Blue Lab’s Call for Solutions.

• Roland Baldeo – Coral reef restoration using biorock powered by renewable energy
• Kerri-Ann Bovell – Bioplastic creation from starch waste and sargassum
• Angie Brathwaite – Mobile VR cinemas focused on life underwater
• Brian-Lee Chandler & Nikolai Holder (partners) – Biogas made of fish waste and other organic waste
• Simera Crawford – Incentivized and gamified smart recycling system
  Steven Hollingsworth & Stacy Phillips – Coral reef mapping using underwater drones, deep machine learning & AI
• Cassia Patel – Blue seal / badge promoting responsible tourism
• Peter Thompson – Traceable fisheries brand using blockchain

The Panel

Four experienced judges will leverage their expertise to evaluate each solution and make a determination on its advancement with the Blue Lab.

How it works

Participants will be allotted three minutes to pitch their solutions. Following this, there will be a round of questions from the judges who will rate each pitch and provide feedback. The judges will then deliberate and score presenters based on specified criteria.