POSSIBILITY OCEAN SUMMIT DRIVES GLOBAL COLLABORATION TO TRANSFORM OCEAN OBSERVATION AND DATA INNOVATION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 25, 2025 – PROVIDENCE, RI
The Possibility Ocean Summit, held on March 18, 2025, convened business leaders, scientists, investors, policymakers, and entrepreneurs from 23 U.S. states and 12 countries for a hybrid event exploring how ocean observation and data innovation can fuel economic growth, sustainability, and climate resilience. With in-person sessions in Newport, RI, and Berkeley, CA, the summit was structured to spark tangible cross-sector collaboration—not just through presentations, but through facilitated dialogue, shared challenges, and future-focused problem-solving.
The event demonstrated the power of collaboration across disciplines by aligning diverse perspectives—scientific, governmental, entrepreneurial, and philanthropic—around a common goal: building a more scalable, accessible, and innovative ocean data ecosystem. It showcased public-private partnerships, elevated regional strengths with global applications, and used design and storytelling to help stakeholders develop a shared language around the issues and identify actionable opportunities for partnership.
“Ocean observation is a fundamental societal need—not only to sustain the ocean economy, but also to protect human health, livelihoods, and marine biodiversity,” said Dr. Joanna Post, Head of Ocean Observations and Services at Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)-UNESCO. “The Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) provides the critical framework to coordinate, engage, and advocate for evolving today’s observing systems into the infrastructure required for tomorrow. Together, we can build a sustained and sustainable ocean data system that benefits society at every level.”
“The Possibility Ocean Summit highlighted that existing ocean observing systems were designed for past questions and fall short of addressing today’s—and tomorrow’s—complex challenges,” said Terry McConnell, Decade Coordination Office Lead, Ocean Observing, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)-UNESCO. “Simply extending our current approach is insufficient. We must adopt a new paradigm built on comprehensive ocean understanding, requiring collaboration among the Three Pillars of Ocean Observing: the scientific and governmental communities for credibility, the corporate sector for scalability, and Bluetech innovators for technological advancement. Without unity, we risk failure.”
The summit explored three core themes—Bluetech innovation, ocean data economics, and cross-sector policy alignment—creating shared language, surfacing strategic opportunities, and setting the stage for continued collaboration among leaders in technology, finance, and public policy.
The Business of Ocean Data: Exploring how ocean intelligence can reveal new opportunities for investment, risk management, and industry growth.
Innovation & Bluetech Leadership: Unlocking new models for public-private partnerships, venture capital engagement, and emerging technology applications.
Reframing Ocean Data Economics: Addressing how scalable, cost-effective ocean observation can transform climate adaptation, insurance, and maritime industries.
Ravi Pappu, CEO of Apeiron Labs, added, “One key part of the conference was a much-needed conversation on developing a roadmap for large-scale ocean observation. This is a crucial step in resetting our approach to ocean data, making it more accessible and economically viable for a variety of stakeholders.”
The event featured keynotes, panels, and fireside chats from experts across multiple fields, including:
Dr. Joanna Post, Head of Ocean Observations and Services, UNESCO Ocean
Terry McConnell, Decade Coordination Office Lead, Ocean Observing, UNESCO Ocean
Ravi Pappu, CEO, Apeiron Labs
Larry Taylor, Co-Founder, The Yield Lab Asia Pacific
Mark Huang, Strategic Advisor, Fathom Science and cofounder of SeaAhead
Peter Battisti, Executive Director, Future of Fish
Ashley Medeiros, Director of the Ocean Tech Hub at Rhode Island Commerce, remarked: “Possibility Ocean embodies the spirit of our region—entrepreneurial, collaborative, and future-focused. It demonstrates how Rhode Island and Southeastern New England can lead not only in ocean technology, but in redefining the intersection of industry, equity, and regeneration.”
Possibility Ocean was launched through a collaboration between Giant Shoulders, Earth House Fund, Big Dreams and Beam, with a mission to activate partnerships that reimagine how ocean data is collected, shared, and applied across industries.
“This summit was an exercise in active prototyping for a new kind of ocean ecosystem,” said Nick Scappaticci, Founder of Big Dreams and Board Chair of DESIGNxRI. “Design and creativity were central, not peripheral—allowing us to explore the critical intersections where living systems, social dynamics, and economic forces overlap. With creative storytelling and experiential design, we’re helping stakeholders envision the future of ocean data and actively experience and shape it together.”
Next Steps for Possibility Ocean
Following the summit, Possibility Ocean will continue to facilitate strategic partnerships, research, and working groups to advance real-world applications of ocean observation data.
For those interested in joining future events, partnerships, or accessing post-event reports, visit: PossibilityOcean.com
For media inquiries, please contact:
Tino Chow
Founder, Possibility Ocean / CEO & Founder, Giant Shoulders
tino@possibilityocean.com
PossibilityOcean.com
