Italian-based startup Ogyre is riding a wave of momentum after winning the Impact Category at the ClimAccelerator Malta, held on 9th May. Recognised for its innovative work in ocean regeneration, Ogyre partners with fishing communities worldwide to collect marine litter, transforming waste into environmental and social value.
The startup’s journey began with a simple, yet profound, observation. Antonio Augeri, CEO and Founder of Ogyre, told WhosWho.mt how the idea took shape: “The idea came during a surf trip, witnessing first-hand how even the most remote beaches were affected by pollution.” That moment of clarity sparked a wider mission – to create a scalable and transparent platform that finances ocean cleanups and engages people and businesses in protecting the sea.
“Ogyre was born from a deep passion for the sea and the realisation that one of the most pressing threats to our oceans – marine litter – could only be tackled through scalable, systemic solutions,” he said. The result is a platform that channels funds into measurable cleanup operations, creating a direct link between environmental awareness and tangible action.
Despite the startup’s growing traction, Mr Augeri acknowledges that the road has not been without challenges. Balancing purpose with scalability, especially while working in remote areas with small-scale fishermen, has required what he describes as “a lot of creativity and resilience.”
He explained, “we operate in areas that are logistically complex… ensuring traceability, data collection, and quality control across different continents while remaining lean and agile as a startup has required a lot of creativity and resilience.” Another hurdle has been educating stakeholders about plastic offsetting – “still a relatively new concept,” as he puts it.
Winning at ClimAccelerator Malta has not only validated Ogyre’s model but also energised the team. Mr Augeri describes the recognition as “a powerful validation of our mission and the path we’ve chosen.” He adds, “It’s not just a recognition of what we’ve achieved so far, but also a signal that the ecosystem believes in the potential of ocean cleanups as a climate and social solution.”
Looking ahead, Ogyre plans to scale its operations by expanding to new coastal regions and enhancing its data capabilities. “Our next step is to scale our impact through two main directions: Expanding our collection programs in new coastal areas, and integrating more data-driven tools to monitor and report the positive effects of our work.”
But the vision doesn’t stop at cleanup. Ogyre also aims to “close the loop” by finding innovative ways to reintegrate recovered plastic into the production cycle. The ultimate goal, Mr Augeri said, is “to ensure that ocean material doesn’t just get removed from the environment, but is transformed into something useful, supporting a circular economy approach that turns waste into a resource.”
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