The Bermuda Ocean Prosperity Programme (BOPP) and Ignite Bermuda partnered to host the BOPP Blue Economy Grant Pitch competition at Ignite’s Hamilton headquarters on May 7, 2025.
The competition was open to past and current blue economy entrepreneurs who have participated in the Ignite Core Programme’s Blue Economy partnership supported by BOPP.
Sam Bennett, Meredith Andrews, Alandra Swan, and mother-daughter duo Jerry-Dee Richardson and Brittany Haley competed for prize grants ranging from $1,000-$10,000. All participants have been sponsored by BOPP to take part in Ignite’s entrepreneur accelerator, an award-winning programme designed to develop and scale businesses.
“Ignite was proud to partner with BOPP to support our entrepreneurs while also facilitating ocean conservation. These entrepreneurs are driving positive change by advancing solutions through eco-tourism, waste management, education and marine conservation efforts, among others,” said Laura Lyons, Manager of Enablement & Entrepreneurial Acceleration at Ignite Bermuda.
“It is amazing to see entrepreneurs from two of our cohorts gain crucial funding that will aid in their continued development of their blue economy businesses.”
Sam Bennett took home the grand prize of $10,000 for his business EcoDive Bermuda, which provides environmental education and practice through the platforms of diving and snorkelling.
A second place prize of $8,000 went to Alandra Swan for her outdoor learning programme for early years students, Pink Sands Education.
A third place prize of $6,000 went to Meredith Andrews for Plastic Mermade, her concept to convert the plastic she removes from beaches into viable products for Bermudians such as plant pots, park benches, stools for schools, fences and trash bins.
A fourth place prize of $4,000 went to mother-daughter duo Jerry-Dee Richardson and Brittany Haley for their business JB Coastal Creations, which produces hand-crafted luxury keepsakes inspired by Bermuda’s natural environment and the ocean.
Two special ‘People’s Choice’ prizes, worth $1,000 each, were available for the most investable idea and the fan favourite. Sam Bennett walked away with the most investable prize, and Alandra Swan was awarded the fan favourite prize.
Winners were determined by a panel of judges including Roger Brown, Head of Commercial Banking at Clarien, Paulina Branco, Ignite Board member, and Cheryl-Ann Mapp, BOPP Blue Economy Specialist.
“Partnership with Ignite aligns perfectly with the overarching values of Bermuda’s Blue Prosperity Plan,” said Cheryl-Ann Mapp, BOPP’s Blue Economy Specialist.
“Supporting blue entrepreneurs is part of the wider goal of strengthening Bermuda’s Blue Economy, which cannot be done without ensuring our ocean remains healthy for future generations.”
Ms. Mapp also gave opening remarks at the event, explaining the importance of the Blue Prosperity Plan, a framework to strengthen the blue economy and implement a marine spatial plan for Bermuda, developed through extensive public consultations.
BOPP has partnered with Ignite Bermuda for two years, facilitating the participation of three blue economy entrepreneurs in Ignite’s 8th cohort, and two blue economy businesses in its 9th cohort. Blue economy entrepreneurs contribute to sustainable ocean and marine resource management, reduce environmental impacts, and increase economic opportunities in their communities.
Blue entrepreneurs include those individuals seeking to start or grow businesses that:
- Tackle challenges facing the ocean, including those resulting from climate change.
- Promote the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs.
- Support ocean health and protection.
BOPP continues to support blue economy entrepreneurs in the Ignite programme. Interested entrepreneurs can apply this summer to the next Ignite cohort that will run from Oct 2025 through March 2026.
More information about BOPP can be found at www.bermudaoceanprosperity.org/.
More information about Ignite can be found at www.ignitebermuda.com.
*Please note that this release is sent on behalf of the Bermuda Ocean Prosperity Programme.