Local entrepreneurs pitched their products and competed for cash grants last week.

A spokeswoman for the Bermuda Ocean Prosperity Plan said participants in the Ignite Core Programme’s blue economy partnership took part in the competition on May 7.

The partnership launched last year to help entrepreneurs develop businesses associated with ocean resources.

The spokeswoman explained: “Blue economy entrepreneurs contribute to sustainable ocean and marine resource management, reduce environmental impacts and increase economic opportunities in their communities.”

Cheryl-Ann Mapp, BOPP’s blue economy specialist, said: “This partnership with Ignite aligns perfectly with the overarching values of Bermuda’s Blue Prosperity Plan.”

Ms Mapp, Roger Brown, head of banking at Clarien, and Ignite board member Paulina Branco joined the judging panel for the contest and awarded the top $10,000 grant to Sam Bennett for his environmental education and diving initiative, EcoDive Bermuda.

Alandra Swan, director of Pink Sands Education, won the second-place $8,000 grant and Meredith Andrews, whose Plastic Mermade concept converts plastic into saleable merchandise, received $6,000 in the competition.

Mother-daughter pair Jerry-Dee Richardson and Brittany Haley, who create Bermuda-inspired luxury items through their business, JB Coastal Creations, received a $4,000 grant.

Attendees chose Pink Sands Education as their favourite and EcoDive Bermuda as the most investable idea, with $1,000 grants accompanying these awards.

Laura Lyons, Ignite Bermuda manager of enablement and entrepreneurial acceleration, explained: “Ignite was proud to partner with BOPP to support our entrepreneurs while also facilitating ocean conservation.

“These entrepreneurs are driving positive change by advancing solutions through eco-tourism, waste management, education and marine conservation efforts, among others.

“It is amazing to see entrepreneurs from two of our cohorts gain crucial funding that will aid in their continued development of their blue economy businesses.”

The next Ignite cohort will run from October through March.

• Visit bermudaoceanprosperity.org and ignitebermuda.com for more information