Collegiate Innovation: Call for Solutions

Innovating Solutions - Tomorrow Built Today

Read More
November 4th - 6th, 2026 Broward County, Florida

18th Annual Southeast Florida Climate Leadership Summit

The Student/Collegiate Pitch Competition invites students from across Florida to imagine and present the innovations that will shape a more sustainable and resilient future. Participants will showcase creative solutions addressing real-world challenges in Coastal and Ocean Innovation, Green Technology, and Stormwater Innovation.

Who Can Participate

  • Open to students from any accredited Florida college or university
  • Individual or team entries are allowed
  • Participants can submit concepts, prototypes, or research solutions
  • No company or business information is required

Ideas, Innovation, and Impact!

Competition Categories

  • Coastal and Ocean Innovation – Solutions for coastal resilience, marine technology, and the ocean/blue economy
  • Green Technology – Innovations in renewable energy, circular economy, and sustainable systems
  • Stormwater Innovation – Ideas for flood prevention, stormwater capture, and water reuse

Prizes for the top idea in each category!

Key Dates

  • Application Deadline: April 17, 2026 - EXTENDED April 26, 2026
  • Student Semi-Finalists Notified: Early May 2026
  • Student Finalists Selected: Early June 2026
  • Innovation Day & Finalist Pitch Event: November 4, 2026
  • Finalist Showcase at Summit: November 5-6, 2026

Prizes

Finalists

  • Attendance (x2 per semi-finalist) at Compact Summit
  • Travel Stipend (hotel, flights/travel, $100 per day food stipend)
  • Seaworth Collective Pitch/Entrepreneurship Course
  • Poster Display @ Compact Summit
  • Recognition @ Compact Summit

Winners

  • Winner Banner Acknowledgement over Poster
  • Group Finance Session with Lil Roberts (Xendoo)
  • Group Risk Management Session w/ Anita Byer (The Human Equation)
  • Group Business to Government Mentorship Session
  • Invitation to CEO Roundtable

Sample Ideas

Sample Ideas for Coastal and Ocean Innovation Proposals

These are ideas, but not the limit of items in this category

  • Coral restoration nursery + outplanting protocol
  • Nearshore wave energy or hybrid microgrid pilot
  • Sustainable seafood traceability app
  • Autonomous reef monitoring drones
  • Mangrove restoration via propagule nurseries
  • Native shellfish reef restoration for water filtration /li>
  • Eco friendly antifouling biocoatings
  • Real time coastal hazard alerts
  • Microplastic capture device for storm drains

Microplastic capture device for storm drains

These are ideas, but not the limit of items in this category

  • Marine grade circular economy solutions (plastic to feedstock)
  • Blue-green infrastructure for coastal parks
  • Low impact aquaculture system (recirculating or IMTA)
  • Coastal microgrid or demand response tools
  • Sustainable marina design toolkit
  • Wave powered sensor buoys
  • Algae biomass valorization
  • Solar powered desalination cart
  • Carbon sequestration via coastal blue carbon projects
  • Circular marina service model
  • Biodegradable packaging alternatives

Sample Ideas for Stormwater Innovation Proposals

These are ideas, but not the limit of items in this category

  • Smart curbside capture & reuse kiosk
  • Permeable pavement with pollutant adsorbing layers
  • Neighborhood scale flood forecasting using hyperlocal sensors
  • Bioretention cell retrofit designs for tropical storms
  • Modular pump and treat stations powered by renewables
  • Modular floating wetlands for retention ponds
  • Smart pump scheduling with weather forecasts
  • Green alley retrofit kits
  • Rainwater harvesting for school campuses
  • Mobile flood barrier that doubles as infrastructure
  • AI driven catchment maintenance prioritization

Sponsorship Opportunities

Innovation Day Sponsor - SECURED Nova Southeastern University

  • $35,000.00
  • Benefits of SAILBOAT SPONSOR ($15,000)
  • Exclusive sponsor of Innovation Day on November 4
  • Prominent Branding opportunities, including display posters, step-and-repeat backdrop, and other signage
  • Opportunity to distribute sponsor-provided promotional gift to attendees
  • Opportunity to provide welcome remarks at Innovation Day
  • + Includes all benefits of SAILBOAT Sponsor ($15,000.00)

Student Training Partner - SECURED Florida Office of Ocean Economy

  • $35,000.00
  • Exclusive sponsor of student pitch/entrepreneurship training provided by Seaworth Collective
  • Prominent Branding opportunities, including display posters, step-and-repeat backdrop, and other signage
  • Opportunity to distribute sponsor-provided promotional gift or material to attendees
  • Opportunity to speak @ Innovation Day for up to 3 minutes

Main Track Partner

  • $10,000.00
  • 2 REMAINING - Florida Office of Ocean Economy - Oceans
  • Exclusive sponsor of one of the main tracks (first come first serve basis)
  • Logo on award and banner above winner
  • Opportunity to be on stage with award winner with photos
  • Acknowledgement at Compact Summit during 1-Minute Pitch by Winner
  • + Includes all benefits of Tropical Fish Sponsor
  • $3,000.00

Innovation Day Partner

  • $3,000.00
  • Logo on sponsor slide at Innovation Day

One Compact Registration

  • $465.00
  • + Conch Sponsor
  • $1,000.00

Questions? Reach out to Kate at MRH:
katherine@marineresearchhub.org

Apply Now
Octopus Stingray

Our Goals

  • Facilitate collaborative research among university partners.
  • Attract capital investment for the commercialization, monetization, technology transfer, spin-offs, and job creation opportunities research offer.
  • Build a local talent pool to support the growth of the marine research industry and Blue Economy businesses.
  • Become a magnet for student attraction and retention.
  • Be recognized globally as the premier geographic location for marine research & development of research-based solution companies.
  • Establish South Florida as the Blue Economy Hub.

Contact Us

The Marine Research Hub of South Florida Inc. is recognized as a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code. EIN (Employer Identification Number): 82-3626190

For more information about becoming a supporter or partner of the Marine Research Hub, contact Katherine O'Fallon.

Katherine@marineresearchhub.org

786-778-4453

Twitter Icon Linkedin Icon Favebook Icon