SIIF Selected as First APAC Ecosystem Partner for World Economic Forum's "1000 Ocean Startups" Initiative

The Social Investment Foundation (SIF) (Chairman: Shuichi Ohno, Location: Minato-ku, Tokyo, hereinafter referred to as "SIIF") has been selected as the first Ecosystem Partner in the APAC region for the international marine innovation alliance "1000 Ocean Startups" (1000OS), promoted under the World Economic Forum's (WEF) marine action plan.

SIIF's track record in fostering the blue economy ecosystem in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, including Japan, and expectations for its continued contributions were highly praised by the 1000OS Steering Committee. In particular, SIIF's efforts in promoting marine systems change in APAC, as well as its achievements in connecting diverse domestic and international stakeholders, such as hosting international conferences on blue finance for three years in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI) and the Ocean Policy Research Institute of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (OPRI), were recognized.

Leveraging this selection, SIIF will further strengthen its collaborations with marine startup support organizations, investors, research institutions, companies, and foundations worldwide. Furthermore, SIIF will work on developing marine system mapping for APAC, including Japan, and creating opportunities for international events and knowledge sharing involving 1000OS community members, thereby addressing systems change in the marine sector and mobilizing diverse forms of funding for it.

Role of SIIF as an "Ecosystem Partner" in 1000OS

Ecosystem Partners in 1000OS play a role in supporting the foundation for marine innovation by providing networks, expertise, regional practices, and common tools.

Unlike core members directly involved in startup investment and acceleration, Ecosystem Partners are positioned as "Enablers" who promote collaboration across regions and organizations, and foster the social implementation of marine innovation through knowledge sharing and community building. 1000OS expects them to contribute to the advancement of common tools, the strengthening of regional communities, and the increased recognition of marine innovation.

SIIF will contribute to the 1000OS community through the following initiatives:

Sharing knowledge on marine system mapping and systems change in APAC, including Japan

Providing practical knowledge on marine finance and impact management

Strengthening regional ecosystems through workshops and dialogue platforms

Participating in working groups and regional communities

Promoting the dissemination of marine innovation and international collaboration

Connection with SIIF's Marine Strategy

SIIF engages in systems change, viewing social issues not as individual projects but as "systems" encompassing relationships between institutions, markets, capital, and players, and promoting their transformation.

Furthermore, as an "Ecosystem Builder" that connects diverse stakeholders, promotes collaboration, and creates new flows of funds and common foundations, SIIF has been driving the development of impact investing in Japan. In the marine sector, SIIF is working to build a foundation for diverse funding mobilization for marine systems change through initiatives such as developing marine system mapping for APAC, including Japan, and promoting the domestic adoption of the Ocean Impact Navigator*.

SIIF also considers "finance orchestration," which connects diverse stakeholders and capital to design and collaborate on funding flows for solving social issues, as a crucial approach.

Participation in 1000OS connects SIIF's practices with the global marine innovation community. It allows SIIF to contribute the knowledge cultivated in Japan and APAC to international discussions, while also bringing new insights from around the world into Japan, serving as a hub for mutual learning.

Going forward, SIIF will continue to contribute to systems change in the marine sector and the development of impact investing through collaboration with diverse stakeholders as an Ecosystem Builder connecting Japan and the world.

*Ocean Impact Navigator: An impact measurement framework developed by 1000 Ocean Startups and published in 2022, used to evaluate the impact of innovations in the marine sector from the perspectives of ocean health, climate change, and human well-being and equity. In 2024, SIIF jointly supervised the Japanese version with the Ocean Policy Research Institute of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (OPRI).

About 1000 Ocean Startups

1000 Ocean Startups (1000OS) is a global alliance accelerating innovation and impact investment for the restoration of ocean health. Operated under the World Economic Forum (WEF), it comprises over 67 organizations, including accelerators, venture studios, venture capital firms, corporate venture capital firms, and family offices. The total assets under management of participating institutions exceed USD 3 billion, and they have supported over 850 marine impact startups addressing challenges in areas such as marine pollution, blue food, biodiversity, marine data, and coastal resilience.

1000OS aims to support the creation and growth of 1,000 innovative marine startups by 2030 through enhanced ecosystem collaboration, accelerated funding mobilization, and the participation of diverse stakeholders. This is based on the idea that "solutions for ocean regeneration are not singular, but achieved through the accumulation of 1,000 challenges."

About the Social Investment Foundation (SIIF)

The Social Investment Foundation (SIIF) is a foundation supported by a grant from The Nippon Foundation, dedicated to promoting impact investing and systems change in Japan. In addition to impact strategy design, impact management, research, and multi-stakeholder ecosystem formation, SIIF practices finance orchestration, which combines diverse forms of capital to achieve structural solutions for social issues, aiming for the realization of a sustainable society.