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Eligibility

  • Participants of EU Member States* or India**
  • Aged 18 and above
  • Open to:
    • Early-stage entrepreneurs and startups
    • University students and researchers
    • Young professionals and companies

* Eligible participants from the EU are considered to be EU 27 member states citizens and organisations registered in EU 27 member states.

** Indian participants must hold Indian citizenship, including those residing in India or registered as Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) are not eligible unless they possess valid Indian citizenship. Eligibility applies to students, researchers, early-stage entrepreneurs, and professionals affiliated with institutions in their respective regions.

Team participation

As an individual

Join as an individual and find members to establish a team

As a team

3 to 6 people per team

EU and india participants

All teams must include both EU and India participants

Solo participation is not allowed

Individuals must join a team before the Ideathon begins

Matchmaking support

Matchmaking support will be provided to help individuals form or join teams

What ideas are eligible

We welcome new or adapted ideas that tackle marine plastic pollution through:

Business models or startup solutions

Policy recommendations

Awareness or education campaigns

Digital tools and platforms

Technical innovations in collection, recycling, or remediation

Scaling of existing technologies

Ideas should be practical, impactful, and scalable, addressing the issue at either local or global levels.

How to apply

1

Fill out a short application form

2

Share your background, interests, and optionally your idea

3

Teams submit info on all members + a short idea summary

4

Individuals choose a challenge area and will find teams during the preparation phase

Apply now
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