Welcome to the Tideline Startup Challenge, where Collaboration is Key.
This Challenge is designed to bring Startups together with Cities and Stakeholders and address Critical Coastal Cities and Ports Challenges.
By collaborating with other Participants, you will have the opportunity to provide Solutions to real, pressing Challenges related to Sea Level Rise, Global Warming, Air Pollution, Water Quality, Tourism Impact, Energy Management, Sustainable Mobility, Port and Shipping Transition, Fishing, Biodiversity, Waste Management, Urban Planning, Public Health, and more.
Join us at the Waves of Change Forum in Biarritz from June 1-3 to showcase your Expertise, find new Partners, and have the Chance to win Prizes and Opportunities that can help accelerate your Solutions and Business.
To participate you will need to propose Solutions to Coastal Cities and Ports Challenges related to one or more of the following Topics:
At least one Representative from your Startup must be physically present at the Waves of Change Forum in Biarritz on June 1-2 2026 (free admission for Member Startups) to participate in the Finals and pitch your Collaborative Solution to the Jury and Coastal Cities.
This year, while optional, a responsible use of AI powered technologies will be assessed and rewarded as part of our Sustainable AI for Ocean and Coastal Territories Focus with the French Ministry of the Ecological Transition.
We are actively working with Bpifrance and our other partners to provide distinctive prizes in addition to these opportunities:
At Waves of Change in Biarritz, you will have the opportunity to spend upp to 2.5 days alongside the Jury and other Key Stakeholders.
Before/during/after your 55 minutes topic based Session(s) you will interact with other participating Startups to form partnerships and collaborate also with Jury Members, who will act as your main Advisors and Sparring Partners to develop a compelling Pilot Idea or Solution to address a Coastal Cities' and/or Ports' pressing Issue.
The Jury Members include Impact Investors, Coastal Cities and Ports Representatives, Corporate Executives, Impact Startup Accelerators, NGOs Leaders, Challenge Alumni and Research Institutes. Among the 2024 Jury were:
- Shaila Sahai, Founder @We Take Part.
- Thomas Cottinet, Head of Ecolab @Ministère de la Transition Ecologique et de la Cohésion des Territoires.
- Lisa Devignol, Sea'ties Project Coordinator @The Ocean & Climate Platform.
- Tom Dorwart, Legal Expert and Founding Partner @Omaha Phoenix Capital.
- Laetitia Gombaud-Saintonge, Ocean Conservation Impact Investor @SWEN Capital Partners.
- Alexandre Barbe, FEAMPA Manager & Sea Policy @Saint-Brieuc Armor Agglomération.
- Mathieu Kayser, Deputy Mayor in charge of the Environment @Ville de Biarritz.
- Oliver Dauert, Founder @Wildya.
- Juan-Manuel Suarez, CEO @Paris Terminal.
- Fabrice Klein, Innovation Manager @Grand Port Maritime de Bordeaux.
- Nicolas Le Roy, Deputy General Manager @Bordeaux Technowest.
- David Portugais, Head of Marketing @Technopole Domolandes.
In order to highlight the Collaborative Aspect of your Solution, we encourage you to connect with other applying Startups, Enablers and Jury Members before the Forum (more info to come at a later stage).
The Coalition for Sustainable AI is an international community of stakeholders aiming to advance concrete initatives making Artificial Intelligence beneficial to our environmental goals. It was officially launched during the February 2024 AI Action Summit in Paris.
EuroQuity is a service offered by Bpifrance. Its objective is to support the growth of SMEs by connecting them to their future Partners for their Investment Needs. EuroQuity has over 14,000 Members in France, including 5,500 Companies, 6,600 Investors and 2,600 supporting Structures.
The CGDD's Ecolab, an innovation laboratory serving the ecological transition, is an entity of the French Ministry of Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion.
Greentech Innovation coordinates the ecosystem of small and medium-sized businesses innovating in a sustainable way for the ecological transition.
The Cleantech Open France association works towards the energy, environmental and climate transition through the development of clean technologies provided by its ecosystem of eco-innovative startups from all French regions and through its network of influential partners.
Übermorgen Ventures is an early stage venture capital investment company backing entrepreneurs, who understand that climate change mitigation is not only the responsibility of our generation but also the potentially biggest business opportunity of our time.
Basque Invest forms the "Locations" Pole funded by the Chamber of Commerce of Bayonne. We support investors and entrepreneurs in their relocation and implementation. Join us in the Center of the World!
Swen Capital Partners is a leading player in responsible investment in unlisted assets in Europe. With €7 billion (calculated as the amount of accumulated liabilities) under management, the asset management firm offers a wide range of investment programmes for institutional and private clients. Additionally, it integrates ESG criteria in all its asset management activities and has been implementing a climate strategy since 2017.
France Digitale is an independent organization that gathers startups and investors to defend innovation in France and in Europe. Their mission is to bring out European digital champions.
The Solar Impulse Foundation promote efficient solutions for a clean economic growth. With Bertrand Piccard, they have identified 1000+ clean and profitable solutions to address sustainability challenges while enabling economic growth.
Bordeaux Technowest, the metropolitan area's technology park, supports start-ups and innovative projects at every stage of their development: incubator, accelerator and business centre. It currently has 80 start-ups and 40 companies under development at its 9 sites in the Bordeaux metropolitan area.
June 1-3, 2026
Now is your best chance to be part of the up to 70 finalists across 7 categories: early applications are considered in priority and get best prepared for D-day.
Are you up for Collaboration and Shared Value Creation in addressing Coastal Cities and Ports Challenges?
If yes, simply apply below in 2 minutes!
Finalists official list to be announced by May 15 2026.