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BLUE ECONOMY ACTION LAB

30 leaders. 90 days.

Real commitments. Real progress.

30 leaders. 90 days.

Real commitments. Real progress.

30 leaders. 90 days.

Real commitments. Real progress.

A first-of-its-kind Blue Economy Action Lab bringing together founders, operators, scientists, policymakers and investors to turn Caribbean ocean innovation into measurable outcomes.

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OVERVIEW

Inside the Action Lab

Inside the
Action Lab

Island Innovators members are proving Caribbean business competes globally.

The Blue Economy Action Lab convenes a select circle of leaders driving sustainable ocean and coastal innovation across the Caribbean.

Over two days in Grenada, the region's entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and partners will move beyond conversation, forming actionable partnerships and defining high-impact projects that strengthen our collective capacity for Blue Growth.

Participation is by invitation only, with priority access given to Island Innovators Members and select additional invitees based on leadership, expertise, or strategic alignment in the Blue Economy.

The Blue Economy Action Lab convenes a select circle of leaders driving sustainable ocean and coastal innovation across the Caribbean.

Over two days in Grenada, the region's entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and partners will move beyond conversation, forming actionable partnerships and defining high-impact projects that strengthen our collective capacity for Blue Growth.

Participation is by invitation only, with priority access given to Island Innovators Members and select additional invitees based on leadership, expertise, or strategic alignment in the Blue Economy.

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COmmitments

From conversations to
concrete commitments

From conversations to
concrete commitments

Island Innovators members are proving Caribbean business competes globally.

Every leader in the room was invited to be explicit about what support they need, who they want to connect with, and what progress they aim to make within 90 days.

This is the public record of those commitments.It is not a wish list. It is a working agenda.

Every leader in the room was invited to be explicit about what support they need, who they want to connect with, and what progress they aim to make within 90 days.

This is the public record of those commitments.It is not a wish list. It is a working agenda.

Javan Williams

Permanent Secretary

Government of Grenada

☐ In 90 Days, I will be establishing blue economy regulations & policies (timeline dependent of required consultations) & revising the Fisheries Act!

Angus Friday

Chief Executive Officer

Azuros.ai

☐ I need help with Partnerships & Operations for a Vibrant blue economy cluster

Judlyn Telesford-Checkley

Co-Founder and CEO

Grenada Grows

☐ I need help with Finance, providing additional size/rate options for project financing

☐ BONUS: I’m willing to support  Partnerships & Operations for a Vibrant blue economy cluster

Zachary Harding

Founding Partner

Delta Capital Partners

☐ I want to connect with Angus Friday to discuss a holistic solution to the Blue Economy growth.

Phil Saye

Managing Director

Grenada Fund for Conservation

☐ I want to connect with Simon Dent & Aaron Barcant.

☐ I need help with Partnerships & Operations for scaling mangrove recovery project

Aaron Barcant

Director

17 Asset Management

☐ I want to connect with Simon Dent to finalise creating an investible project pipeline, along with Zach Harding & Angus Friday.
☐ I need help with Partnerships on investment ready food system projects.

☐ BONUS: I’m willing to support Partnerships & Financing for a Vibrant blue economy cluster

Benjamin Nestorovic

Co-founder & CEO

Sargas LTD

☐ I need help with partnerships to pool projects for financing access & Operations  to align on project timelines with the Sargassum task force.

☐ In 90 Days, I will have completed permitting for my project

Mark Scott

CEO

Ora Caribbean

☐ I want to connect with Simon Dent

☐ I need help with  Finance Montessori growth financing approx 3 Million

Stephan Bandelow

Data Scientist

St. George's University, Grenada

☐ In 90 Days, I will have completed a prototype of loan matchmaking tool

Ricardo Nascimento

Underwater Photographer

Ocean Rescue Alliance

☐ I need help with partnerships with blue economy storytelling organizations

Shelby Thomas

Founder & CEO

Ocean Rescue Alliance

☐ I need help with financing & partnerships with experts on scaling in island nations

Abegail Thomas

Executive Fixer

Island Innovators

☐ 90 Days: Success Stories & Milestones from Action Lab

Jane Nurse

Permanent Secretary

Government of Grenada

☐ In 90 Days, I will have Sargassum Task Force policies drafted & a

☐ Finance roadmap createdI want to connect with Financial Institutions (GDB & Republic) Sharlene Thomas & Nealla Frederick

☐BONUS: I’m willing to support Partnerships for a Vibrant blue economy cluster

Marion Geiss

Country Manager

GIZ

☐ I would like to Connect GIZ Project Lead & Angus Friday

☐ I (they) need help with Operations for the implementation of revised National Action Plan’s (NAP) November launch & knowledge management.

Clare Morrall

Co-founder

Caribbean Ocean Institute & Ocean Spirits

☐ I need help with Partnership for the implementation for Sargassum Action Plan (season)

☐ I want  to connect with Angus Friday for execution of an Ocean Institute for Grenada aka “Blue Economy Cluster”

Sharlene Thomas

Manager's Assistant

Republic Bank

☐ I want to connect with Simon Dent & Aaron Barcant

Danny Donelan

Managing Director

Savvy

☐ I need help with Finance  information on GDB loans for introductions to Boat building school.

Laura Fletcher

Company Secretary

Grenada Marine

☐ I want to connect with Simon Dent

☐ I need help with Operations support and Partnerships (MAYAG to start) to come up with a Marine Yachting Strategy

Chrystal Young Rundlett

Partner

LTD Sailing

☐ In 90 Days, I will have completed much sailing in Grand Anse

☐I need help with Financing for purchasing  ten J08 boats - and evaluate the possibility to scale up to 30 Boats

Yvonne Brandt

Sailing Instructor

LTD Sailing

☐ In 90 Days, I will have completed much sailing in Grand Anse with Chrystal

☐ I want to connect with Simon Dent  & Aaron Barcant

Simon Dent

Outrigger Capital Partners

Co-founder & Managing Director

☐ I need help with organisational  Speed & Scale

☐I want to connect with Frank  Cawkwell & Benjamin Nestorovic

Frank Cawkwell

Founder & CEO

Green Feeds LTD

☐I need help with  Finance and the integration of government endorsed small start ups to engage in deferred interest payment

☐ I want to connect with Angus Friday & Brendan Heyck

Davrell Bhola

Project Engineer

CaribWaste2Energy

☐ I need help with  Finance  & PPP Partnership and Operational guidance on leasing Crown land

MEDIA COVERAGE

As Seen and Reported Across the Region

As Seen and Reported
Across the Region

Island Innovators members are proving Caribbean business competes globally.

The Blue Action Lab drew national and regional attention, signalling Grenada’s leadership role in pioneering a model for sustained Blue Economy development in the Caribbean.

Featured coverage includes expert conversations, policy analysis, and sector insights captured by independent media and public broadcasters.

The Blue Action Lab drew national and regional attention, signalling Grenada’s leadership role in pioneering a model for sustained Blue Economy development in the Caribbean.

Featured coverage includes expert conversations, policy analysis, and sector insights captured by independent media and public broadcasters.

national tv interview

BLUE ECONOMY INITIATIVE:
Dr Angus Friday speaks on THE NARRATIVE

PRESS RELEASE

Grenada launches Caribbean’s first
Blue Economy Action Lab

feature video

ORAI x Azuros in Grenada -
A new project planned beneath the waves

thank you

Working Themes Emerging From The Lab

Island Innovators members are proving Caribbean business competes globally.

Across an in-depth working session, several core opportunity clusters took shape, signalling where collaboration, investment, and innovation are already converging.

Across an in-depth working session, several core opportunity clusters took shape, signalling where collaboration, investment, and innovation are already converging.

Across an in-depth working session, several core opportunity clusters took shape, signalling where collaboration, investment, and innovation are already converging.

1. Sargassum to Value

Turning a crisis into a resource.


This group includes:

  • Benjamin Nestorovic — SarGas Ltd

  • Jane Nurse — Sargassum Valorisation Initiative

  • Aaron Barcant — Circular food systems & biomass R&D

  • Clare Morrall — Ocean Institute / Blue Cluster

  • Simon Dent — Financing platforms for material scaling

  • Judlyn Telesford-Checkley — Financing structures

  • Frank Cawkwell — Circular waste & agri-inputs


    Focus Areas:

    • Aggregation of biomass supply

    • Biogas and fertilizer processing

    • Task-Force-aligned permitting

    • Building a cross-island Sargassum marketplace


Turning a crisis into a resource.


This group includes:

  • Benjamin Nestorovic — SarGas Ltd

  • Jane Nurse — Sargassum Valorisation Initiative

  • Aaron Barcant — Circular food systems & biomass R&D

  • Clare Morrall — Ocean Institute / Blue Cluster

  • Simon Dent — Financing platforms for material scaling

  • Judlyn Telesford-Checkley — Financing structures

  • Frank Cawkwell — Circular waste & agri-inputs


    Focus Areas:

    • Aggregation of biomass supply

    • Biogas and fertilizer processing

    • Task-Force-aligned permitting

    • Building a cross-island Sargassum marketplace


Turning a crisis into a resource.


This group includes:

  • Benjamin Nestorovic — SarGas Ltd

  • Jane Nurse — Sargassum Valorisation Initiative

  • Aaron Barcant — Circular food systems & biomass R&D

  • Clare Morrall — Ocean Institute / Blue Cluster

  • Simon Dent — Financing platforms for material scaling

  • Judlyn Telesford-Checkley — Financing structures

  • Frank Cawkwell — Circular waste & agri-inputs


    Focus Areas:

    • Aggregation of biomass supply

    • Biogas and fertilizer processing

    • Task-Force-aligned permitting

    • Building a cross-island Sargassum marketplace


2. Coastal Tourism & Marine Services

Strengthening value creation along the coastline — not just onshore tourism.

This group includes:

  • Chrystal Young — Sailing education and fleet expansion

  • Yvonne Brandt — Yachting sector development

  • Laura Fletcher — Marine tourism strategy

  • Ricardo Nascimento — Blue storytelling and brand positioning

  • Zachary Harding — Regional funding visibility and investor relations

Focus Areas:

  • Building a yacht tourism academy

  • Standardising certifications

  • Expanding boat fleets

  • Marketing Grenada as a pristine marine destination

  • Increasing service-based coastal employment


Strengthening value creation along the coastline — not just onshore tourism.

This group includes:

  • Chrystal Young — Sailing education and fleet expansion

  • Yvonne Brandt — Yachting sector development

  • Laura Fletcher — Marine tourism strategy

  • Ricardo Nascimento — Blue storytelling and brand positioning

  • Zachary Harding — Regional funding visibility and investor relations

Focus Areas:

  • Building a yacht tourism academy

  • Standardising certifications

  • Expanding boat fleets

  • Marketing Grenada as a pristine marine destination

  • Increasing service-based coastal employment


Strengthening value creation along the coastline — not just onshore tourism.

This group includes:

  • Chrystal Young — Sailing education and fleet expansion

  • Yvonne Brandt — Yachting sector development

  • Laura Fletcher — Marine tourism strategy

  • Ricardo Nascimento — Blue storytelling and brand positioning

  • Zachary Harding — Regional funding visibility and investor relations

Focus Areas:

  • Building a yacht tourism academy

  • Standardising certifications

  • Expanding boat fleets

  • Marketing Grenada as a pristine marine destination

  • Increasing service-based coastal employment


3. Coral Resilience & Marine Biodiversity

Protecting the living capital of our blue asset base.


This group includes:

  • Christine Finney — Coral propagation, reef monitoring

  • Clare Morrall — Ocean Institute academic integration

  • Shelby Thomas — Reef conservation and marine restoration

  • Marion Geiss — GIZ knowledge management & mapping

Focus Areas:

  • Coral nurseries and repopulation

  • Building a regional “coral bank”

  • Mooring-buoy systems

  • Genetic survivability tracking

  • Scalable models for reef stewardship


Protecting the living capital of our blue asset base.


This group includes:

  • Christine Finney — Coral propagation, reef monitoring

  • Clare Morrall — Ocean Institute academic integration

  • Shelby Thomas — Reef conservation and marine restoration

  • Marion Geiss — GIZ knowledge management & mapping

Focus Areas:

  • Coral nurseries and repopulation

  • Building a regional “coral bank”

  • Mooring-buoy systems

  • Genetic survivability tracking

  • Scalable models for reef stewardship


Protecting the living capital of our blue asset base.


This group includes:

  • Christine Finney — Coral propagation, reef monitoring

  • Clare Morrall — Ocean Institute academic integration

  • Shelby Thomas — Reef conservation and marine restoration

  • Marion Geiss — GIZ knowledge management & mapping

Focus Areas:

  • Coral nurseries and repopulation

  • Building a regional “coral bank”

  • Mooring-buoy systems

  • Genetic survivability tracking

  • Scalable models for reef stewardship


4. Financing the Blue Economy

Moving from grant culture to structured financing.


This group includes:

  • Judlyn Telesford-Checkley — Financing models

  • Simon Dent — Investment pipelines

  • Mark Scott — Education sector financing

  • Frank Cawkwell — Soft landing & deferred payment structures

  • Danny Donelan — Business-access pathways via GDB

  • Zachary Harding — Regional visibility and network capital


Focus Areas:

  • Building investible pipelines

  • Upgrading financing instruments

  • Creating local deal-flow

  • Packaging projects for institutional capital

  • Aligning with government incentivesa

Moving from grant culture to structured financing.


This group includes:

  • Judlyn Telesford-Checkley — Financing models

  • Simon Dent — Investment pipelines

  • Mark Scott — Education sector financing

  • Frank Cawkwell — Soft landing & deferred payment structures

  • Danny Donelan — Business-access pathways via GDB

  • Zachary Harding — Regional visibility and network capital


Focus Areas:

  • Building investible pipelines

  • Upgrading financing instruments

  • Creating local deal-flow

  • Packaging projects for institutional capital

  • Aligning with government incentivesa

Moving from grant culture to structured financing.


This group includes:

  • Judlyn Telesford-Checkley — Financing models

  • Simon Dent — Investment pipelines

  • Mark Scott — Education sector financing

  • Frank Cawkwell — Soft landing & deferred payment structures

  • Danny Donelan — Business-access pathways via GDB

  • Zachary Harding — Regional visibility and network capital


Focus Areas:

  • Building investible pipelines

  • Upgrading financing instruments

  • Creating local deal-flow

  • Packaging projects for institutional capital

  • Aligning with government incentivesa

5. Governance & Policy Enablement

Making sustainable use of the ocean operable at scale.


This group includes:

  • Permanent Secretary Javan Williams — Blue economy regulations

  • Angus Friday — Systems-level orchestration

  • Brendan Heyck — Calibre networks

  • Sharlene Thomas — Institutional support

  • Nealla Frederick — Policy architecture

  • Marion Geiss — International cooperation frameworks

Focus Areas:

  • Revising the Fisheries Act

  • Marine zoning and vessel practices

  • Waste discharge regulation

  • Accountability mechanisms

  • Public–private tasking

Making sustainable use of the ocean operable at scale.


This group includes:

  • Permanent Secretary Javan Williams — Blue economy regulations

  • Angus Friday — Systems-level orchestration

  • Brendan Heyck — Calibre networks

  • Sharlene Thomas — Institutional support

  • Nealla Frederick — Policy architecture

  • Marion Geiss — International cooperation frameworks

Focus Areas:

  • Revising the Fisheries Act

  • Marine zoning and vessel practices

  • Waste discharge regulation

  • Accountability mechanisms

  • Public–private tasking

Making sustainable use of the ocean operable at scale.


This group includes:

  • Permanent Secretary Javan Williams — Blue economy regulations

  • Angus Friday — Systems-level orchestration

  • Brendan Heyck — Calibre networks

  • Sharlene Thomas — Institutional support

  • Nealla Frederick — Policy architecture

  • Marion Geiss — International cooperation frameworks

Focus Areas:

  • Revising the Fisheries Act

  • Marine zoning and vessel practices

  • Waste discharge regulation

  • Accountability mechanisms

  • Public–private tasking

thank you

Thank you to participants

Island Innovators members are proving Caribbean business competes globally.

Participants included senior representatives from:
Government of Grenada, Azuros.ai, Bay House, Sonover, SarGas, Grenada Marine, Eco-Dive, The Nature Conservancy, Outrigger Capital Partners (UK), Ocean Rescue Alliance (USA), and other leading Blue Economy innovators from the Caribbean and beyond.

Participants included senior representatives from:
Government of Grenada, Azuros.ai, Bay House, Sonover, SarGas, Grenada Marine, Eco-Dive, The Nature Conservancy, Outrigger Capital Partners (UK), Ocean Rescue Alliance (USA), and other leading Blue Economy innovators from the Caribbean and beyond.

Participants included senior representatives from:
Government of Grenada, Azuros.ai, Bay House, Sonover, SarGas, Grenada Marine, Eco-Dive, The Nature Conservancy, Outrigger Capital Partners (UK), Ocean Rescue Alliance (USA), and other leading Blue Economy innovators from the Caribbean and beyond.

Be Part of What Comes Next

If you want to collaborate, contribute, or participate in the next Action Lab, become a member.

Explore Membership

Be Part of What Comes Next

If you want to collaborate, contribute, or participate in the next Action Lab, become a member.

Explore Membership

Be Part of What Comes Next

If you want to collaborate, contribute, or participate in the next Action Lab, become a member.

Explore Membership