The “Sharing Ocean science for Sustainable business” project, coordinated by Pure Ocean, brings together numerous international partners from the worlds of scientific research and business. To stimulate innovation and collective intelligence, the group follows a proven creative approach: design thinking. This method punctuates our project with moments of remote work, and face-to-face reunions.

💭 After the problem definition stage in Marseille, it was the turn of the University of Rome-La Sapienza to welcome us for the ideation phase, a stage that involves formulating and bringing together the diversity of ideas and points of view in order to respond to the problem. As a reminder, the aim of the SOS project is to create lasting bridges between science and business, in order to sustainably transform their economic models.

🗣️ During these 2 days, we explored multiple avenues to better understand the motivations and expectations of business leaders and scientists. Group work sessions were fueled by case studies presented by Italian researchers, the Italian startup Microperi Blue Growth and a visit to the INM maritime innovation center, all fruitful collaborations between researchers and companies!

🤝 One example that stood out for us? Daniele Ventura and Edoardo Casoli, researchers at the University of Sapienza, worked on mitigating the impact of the installation of a pipeline in the Adriatic Sea, by minimizing its damage on coralligenous reefs, of high ecological value. The scientists’ expertise enabled the project to be carried out by relocating and transplanting coral blocks during deep dives.

🙏 Many thanks to Daniele Ventura and his team for hosting and organizing this trip. Many thanks also to our hosts during our visits: Microperi and the Institute of Marine Biology (INM).

🛠️ We look forward to continuing this adventure in Samos, Greece, at our next workshop, which will be dedicated to turning our ideas into a prototype!