All Hands on Deck! Building Better Crews for the New Blue Economy
Expanding the ocean talent pool for sustainable innovation
Hosted by Katapult Ocean
A thriving ocean economy depends on the strength and diversity of its ecosystem. Yet today, the talent pool — from founders and funders to policymakers and researchers — remains too narrow to match the complexity and scale of the challenges ahead. Structural barriers and outdated mindsets continue to filter out top talent, especially female founders and those who don’t fit traditional molds.
Join us aboard the Statsraad Lehmkuhl for an interactive session hosted by Katapult Ocean, Conservation International, Hatch Blue, Builders Vision, and the University of Monaco. Together, we will explore what’s holding us back — and what it takes to build inclusive, resilient, and high-performing ocean systems.
Backed by evidence from organizational science, this session explores why team composition is a critical yet undervalued driver of innovation success in ocean ventures, and what needs to change to unlock the full spectrum of talent and thinking.
Through short, punchy flash talks and small-group dialogue, we’ll examine the underlying systems that determine who gets to lead, who gets funding, and who gets to innovate.
We’ll move beyond gender binaries and tokenism to ask the question: what kinds of teams actually succeed in complex, adaptive environments like the blue economy?
No panels. No passive listening. Just sharp insights, honest dialogue, and a collective commitment to turning conversation into action.
⚓ Access is limited — Please read carefully
To access the session aboard Statsraad Lehmkuhl, you must also apply to attend Impactful Innovations Day and be added to the official guest list. Session sign-up alone does not guarantee access to the ship.
To attend Impactful Innovations day, you must
Apply to attend by 25 May through this registration page.
Receive a confirmation email. Please note: this Luma confirmation does NOT grant Blue Zone accreditation and does not guarantee access to the event or the ship.
Receive a personal invitation from our team — this is required to board the ship. This official invitation will be sent out in the coming weeks. Important: Be sure to provide accurate information during sign-up so we can issue your personal invitation correctly.
You also need to sign up for sessions separately as space is limited: https://lu.ma/katapultocean.
Only the sessions you’ve registered for will be accessible. You cannot remain on board outside of your registered times. Please check your inbox regularly for updates and instructions from our team.
⚠️ All attendees must receive a personal invitation from our team to enter the venue.
The ship is docked within the Red Zone during the UN Ocean Conference. Expect strict security protocols and factor in extra time. On the day of the event, you must bring:
A valid photo ID (passport is recommended).
Your personal invitation with name, organization, and event details.
QR codes for the main event and each sessions you’ve signed up for.
About Impactful Innovations Day by Katapult Ocean
This session is part of Impactful Innovations Day, a full-day event by Katapult Ocean aboard the legendary tall ship Statsraad Lehmkuhl, docked at the harbor in Nice during the 2025 UN Ocean Conference.
Impactful Innovations Day brings together changemakers, global leaders, and investors to focus on transformative ocean solutions at a pivotal moment for ocean action.
With sessions and activities happening throughout the day, we’re creating a unique setting for conversations, new partnerships, and collective energy.
Be part of the solution.
See the evolving program here.
We’re not setting sail, but we are going places.