THE BLOG

Success for the Nice Ocean Business Forum

On Monday, June 9, the Nice Ocean Business Forum officially opened at the Innovation Hub in Nice, as part of the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC 2025) and the Year of the Sea.

Organized by the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis together with its partners — Région Sud, Business France, risingSUD, Team Nice Côte d’Azur, Pôle Mer Méditerranée, Cluster Maritime Français, and the UN Global Compact – France Network — the event brings together, through June 11, companies from the blue economy, experts, investors, local authorities, and international delegations. Its objective is to foster dialogue and exchange among stakeholders, encourage the development of concrete solutions, and promote partnerships for marine environment preservation.

An opening day led by Team Nice Côte d’Azur: innovation, attractiveness and business opportunities

As lead organizer of the opening day, Team Nice Côte d’Azur placed innovation at the core of the discussions, following a central theme: connecting research, entrepreneurship and markets to build a sustainable and competitive blue economy.

This inaugural day, awarded the “Choose France” label by the French Presidency, marked the launch of the Nice Ocean Business Forum, welcoming over 600 participants at the Innovation Hub in Nice. It served to promote the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis and highlight its business opportunities for companies worldwide.

With nearly 50 nationalities represented, including significant North American delegations, the event underscores Nice Côte d’Azur’s international stature as a maritime economic hub.

The “Village des Solutions”, a showcase for local innovation, features stands from metropolitan startups, demonstrating the region’s entrepreneurial dynamism in ocean protection.

The strategic opening was marked by a speech from Jacques Richier, Metropolitan Councillor for economy, tourism, industry, innovation and employment, and President of Team Nice Côte d’Azur. He was followed by Christophe Madrolle, Regional Councillor and President of the Commission on biodiversity, marine and coastal areas, regional natural parks, and risks, who reinforced the forum’s long-term vision and ambitions.

Laurent Saint Martin, Minister Delegate to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, in charge of Foreign Trade and French Citizens Abroad.

Later in the morning, a keynote by Laurent Saint Martin, Minister Delegate to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, in charge of foreign trade and French citizens abroad, highlighted the government’s commitment to the blue economy.

Panel 1 – sustainability & international expansion: the Mediterranean market for the yachting industry

With the support of risingSUD, this session focused on cross-border dialogue on new sustainable development models for Mediterranean yachting, combining industrial excellence, international competitiveness and ecological imperatives.

Moderator:

Camille Lopez – CEO, HY-Plug | President of Young Professionals in Yachting Monaco | Entrepreneur of the Year – Metstrade Amsterdam Women’s Yachting Awards 2024

Speakers:

Pietro Angelini – Managing Director, NAVIGO (Tuscany)
Pedro Suasi – Director, Balearic Marine Cluster
Fabien Arnoux – Director, Riviera Yachting Network
David Queva – Group Technical Officer, Monaco Marine

*^{Panel 1 – Sustainability & International Expansion: The Mediterranean Market for the Yachting Industry}*

Panel 2 – Water Preservation and Utilization: A Potential for Responsible Development

This strategic panel addressed sustainable water resource management, with a focus on innovative initiatives linking coastal planning, energy transition and technological solutions.

Moderator:

Stefano Cimmarusti – Head of Blue Economy & Industries, Team Nice Côte d’Azur

Speakers:

Charles McGarraugh – Chairman, OceanWell
Astrid Siohan – Director of Urban Heating & Cooling Networks, SMEG Monaco
Yves Karinthi – Director, Haliotis Project Consortium
Paulo Moura – Deputy Director of Innovation & Partnerships, IMREDD – Université Côte d’Azur

*_{Panel 2 – Water Preservation and Utilization: A Potential for Responsible Development}*

Panel 3 – Sea and Markets: Connecting Blue Innovation to Opportunities

This panel showcased entrepreneurs and researchers who are transforming marine science into concrete industrial innovations, with applications in bioplastics, marine cosmetics, biotechnology, and circular materials.

Moderator:

Marilou Suc – Founder, Blue Connection

Speakers:

Véronique Raoul – CEO, INALVE
Rachid Benchaouir – CEO, Coraliotech (MonacoTech)
Philippe Lavoisier – CEO, ERANOVA
Margarita Sidorova – CEO, MediSea Biotech & Canadian Cosmetic Cluster
Mohamed Mehiri – Deputy Director, IFR MARRES – Université Côte d’Azur

_{Panel 3 – Sea and Markets: Connecting Blue Innovation to Opportunities}

High-level keynotes throughout the day

The opening day was punctuated by high-level keynotes addressing global issues:

Corinne Reynaud, CFO – D-Marin: “Yachting in the Mediterranean: Facing Tomorrow’s Challenges”
Kendra MacDonald, CEO – Canada’s Ocean Supercluster: “Unleashing the Ocean’s Potential”
Sylvain Pagès, Co-Founder – AltfinPartners: “Investor interview: fueling private ventures”
Jean-Philippe Courtois, President – Live for Good, President – SKEMA Business School, former President – Microsoft International: “Setting sail for tomorrow: the future of innovation”
Henri-Paul Rousseau, Québec Delegate General in Paris: “Bridging Distances: a Foreign Perspective on Shared Horizons”

The first day concluded symbolically with an inspiring address by explorer Jean-Louis Étienne, entitled “Polar Inspiration for the Stakeholders of the Ocean Economy”, reminding participants of both the urgency and the beauty of the mission to preserve the oceans.

The forum continues on June 10 and 11

The Nice Ocean Business Forum continues with two thematic days filled with strategic content:

Tuesday, June 10 – Blue economy, biodiversity & marine biotechnologies
Wednesday, June 11 – Sustainable yachting, underwater drones & decarbonization

Location: Innovation Hub – 61, avenue Simone Veil, Nice

Programme details

The Nice Ocean Business Forum confirms Nice Côte d’Azur’s position as a strategic hub for the blue economy: innovation, international partnerships, industrial know-how, and environmental ambition all come together to accelerate the blue transition in the Mediterranean and beyond.