The Monaco Ocean Protection Challenge (MOPC) which has launched its 8th edition on December 6th, with a Grand Finale scheduled for May 15, 2025, at the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco.The MOPC is an international competition jointly organized by the International University of Monaco, the Oceanographic Institute, the Prince Albert I of Monaco Foundation, the Monaco Impact non-profit association and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.
It is aimed at students and young entrepreneurs, and its goal is to reward new concepts and business models with a positive and measurable environmental impact on the ocean.
Another objective of the MOPC is to support the winners in advancing or realizing their professional projects, by providing advice and support, as well as offering contacts and networks within professional circles.
OUR MISSION
The Monaco Ocean Protection Challenge is an international business plan pitching competition for students and fresh graduates, showcasing new business concepts with a measurable positive environmental impact on the ocean.
Created in 2018, the Challenge is the concrete outcome of a common vision by the four organizing institutions:
- The necessity to raise awareness on threats to our oceans, by fostering young people’s entrepreneurial spirit, creativity and enthusiastic commitment to conserving our planet.
- The Monaco Ocean Protection Challenge aims to concretely support the successful creation and development of start-ups and organizations, able to demonstrate a positive impact on ocean preservation in the short or medium term.
- Supported by educational institutions actively engaged in sustainable development and entrepreneurship, by environmental experts and associations, together with entrepreneurs and investors, the Monaco Ocean Protection Challenge contributes to the global outreach and soft power of the Principality of Monaco in Ocean Preservation.
WHO CAN JOIN?
Open to students and entrepreneurs. All undergraduate, graduate and MBA students can join the challenge as well as young professionals who are creating or have created a company after January 2022.
HOW?
In the 1st step, you need to register on the website and send an executive summary and a PowerPoint presentation. In the 2nd step, after the Jury meeting, the selected semi-finalist teams, need to send, a business Plan and a 1-minute video. Then, the 3rd step is the Grand Finale in Monaco for the selected Finalist teams. Please find more information here: https://www.monaco-opc.com/
About the organizers:
THE INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF MONACO (IUM): The IUM aims to prepare new generations of Managers and Entrepreneurs for the challenges of the world of today and tomorrow: the major themes of “Entrepreneurship / Intrapreneurship,” innovation / digital transformation, and social and environmental responsibility are integrated into all of its “Bachelor”, “Masters” and “MBA” programs.
THE OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTE, PRINCE ALBERT I OF MONACO FOUNDATION: The Oceanographic Institute, Prince Albert I of Monaco Foundation, a foundation recognized as being of public utility, has the mission to promote knowledge, love and protection of the Ocean. It contributes to a sustainable relationship between Humanity and the Ocean by promoting political, social, technological and economic transformations guided by science.
MONACO IMPACT: Monaco Impact aims to promote the image of Monaco as the global center of philanthropy and social impact investment. As part of this agreement, Monaco Impact is sponsoring a competition involving IUM students by rewarding the best project aimed at developing social media tools to attract and raise awareness among Generation Z on the importance of protection. oceans.
THE PRINCE ALBERT II OF MONACO FOUNDATION: The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation aims to respond to the worrying threats weighing on our planet’s environment. It works to protect the environment and promote sustainable development on a global scale. The Foundation supports the initiatives of public and private organizations in the fields of research, technological innovation and practices conscious of social issues. The Foundation finances projects in three main regions and focuses its actions on three main areas.
