The Monaco Ocean Protection Challenge 2021

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The theme for 2021 was: “When Circular Economy Saves the Ocean”!

Despite the particular context of this year 2021, the competition managed to gather 37 teams from different countries (IK, Ireland, Italy, France) and representing all types of schools (schools of communication, business, engineering…).

Despite this difficult context, it is a great pride to mobilize these students and young entrepreneurs around this challenge, to support their positive vision and their active commitment to the preservation of oceans and more generally for a sustainable world.

Jean-Philippe Muller

Director of the International University of Monaco

And the Winners Are…

The six finalists (three of the teams in the “Students” category 1 and three others in the “Young Entrepreneurs” category 2) of the Monaco Ocean Protection Challenge 2021 have been judged by a panel of entrepreneurs, investors, and mediators who work for the protection of the oceans.


Category 1: Hy-Plug (International University of Monaco)

  • Pass to attend Change Now Summit 2022
  • Pass to attend Monaco Ocean Week 2022
  • 1 Place in the Jury Panel, Grande Finale MOPC 2022
  • 1 Year Membership Monaco Impact
  • 1 Year Membership « Les Amis Du Musée Oceanographique »

Category 2: Wype, UNITED KINGDOM

  • Pass to attend Change Now Summit 2022
  • Pass to attend Monaco Ocean Week 2022
  • 1 Year Membership Monaco Impact
  • 1 Year Membership « Les Amis Du Musée Oceanographique »
  • 5000 € to develop the Project offered by Monaco Impact

Special Awards

Audience Choice “Best Business Pitch Presentation”: Ittinsect, Italy

  • 1 Year Membership « Les Amis Du Musée Oceanographique » and some IUM & Monaco Impact goodies

Special Award “Coup de Coeur”: Watch Your Anchor (International University of Monaco)

  • 1 Year Membership « Les Amis Du Musée Oceanographique »

It is always a great pleasure to see the mobilization of students and young professionals to imagine and prepare a new relationship with the Ocean

Mr. Calcagno

Director General of the Oceanographic Institute of Monaco

What is the Monaco Ocean Protection Challenge (MOPC)

The Monaco Ocean Protection Challenge began in 2018 as a collaboration between 4 partners dedicated to ocean protection and awareness: The Oceanographic Institute of Monaco, Monaco Impact, The International University of Monaco, and The Fondation Prince Albert II.

The aim of the MOPC as a whole is to provide young students and entrepreneurs the opportunities and skills to succeed in building sustainable businesses for a better world, as well as sharing the core values that the Principality of Monaco has endorsed for more than a century.

This “Grand Final” is an opportunity for the Executive Directors of the four institutions of the Challenge to share their ambitions regarding the dual mission of the Monaco Ocean Protection Challenge:
– To develop the awareness and knowledge of the younger generations on the fragility of the and the need to protect them
– Stimulate and support entrepreneurial projects that have a positive impact on the oceans

Supporting the young generations in the development of their professional career and accompany them in the identification of new sustainable models is essential.

Mr. Wenden

Vice-President and Managing Director of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation

This is why the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation is pleased to be associated with the Monaco Ocean
Protection Challenge in order to promote innovative projects related to the preservation of marine ecosystems”.


If you would like more information about  the Monaco Ocean Protection Challenge 2021 or our Programs, please look at our website.

Feel free to also contact the Admissions Team directly at admissions@monaco.edu

Updated 29 September 2021