About

We build measurable data on visible microplastics

Race for Oceans Technology is an impact start-up based in Løkken, Denmark, founded in March 2023. We develop software that can be globally integrated on drones to allow for detection and mapping of visible microplastics in complex land environments. By using our proprietary AI models, we identify, classify and map visible microplastics and other pollutants as small as 2 mm.

Background

Where we come from

Race for Oceans started in 2019 as a volunteer initiative for ocean lovers, combining sport, movement and knowledge sharing with beach cleanups, all centered around SDG 14: Life Below Water. Since then more than 25,000 people from over 80 countries, aged from 3 weeks to 92 years, have taken part in over 2,000 cleanups and events, collecting more than 100 tons of ocean plastic along coastlines.

Along the way it became clear that the smallest waste, the millimetre-sized fragments and plastic pellets, could never be collected by hand at scale. That realization is what led to Race for Oceans Technology.

The two are not the same thing. Race for Oceans is the non-profit movement started in 2019 which was built on relays, cleanups, awareness and community. Race for Oceans Technology ApS is the company spun out of it in March 2023, with the goal of creating awareness and promoting removal of visible microplastic across the globe. The movement continues alongside the company, as shown in the timeline below.

Race for OceansRace for Oceans Technology

2019Race for Oceans
Race for Oceans is founded to raise awareness of SDG 14. It begins with a 10-day, 450 km relay along the west coast of Jutland, through 11 coastal municipalities from Sylt to Skagen. The relay is held annually until 2022.
2019
2020Race for Oceans
Race for Oceans wins the national SDG Award, and UNLEASH reaches out to spread the concept through their global network.
2020
2021Race for Oceans
More than 250 people applied to be part of Race for Oceans, from over 61 countries, creating 42 events across six continents.
2021
2022Race for Oceans
From Skagen towards Aarhus with X-Yachts, using an underwater drone for the first time. Plastic pellets are found in 11 of the 13 harbours visited.
2022
Feb 2023Race for Oceans
Field trip from Rømø to Skagen: 40 stops, with pellets found at 38 of the 40 stops. Over 15,000 images were taken, and 5,174 pellets collected. Supported by the EMD Foundation, in collaboration with the Alexandra Institute and Aalborg University.
Feb 2023
Mar 2023
Mar 2023Race for Oceans Technology
The company branches off
Race for Oceans Technology ApS is established on the basis of the dataset from the field trip.
Summer 2023Race for Oceans
Pellet hunt on 10 Northern Jutland beaches, resulting in 42 cleanups with 762 participants and 19,000 pellets (572 g) collected. Supported by the Danish EPA.
Summer 2023
2023–2024
2023–2024Race for Oceans Technology
Together with Trifork we contribute to the world's first AI Beach Rover prototype. In March 2024 the rover collects its first plastic pellets using AI, and the prototype is shown publicly in June 2024.
2024Race for Oceans
Race for Oceans continues to mobilise communities through beach cleanups, school events and local partner initiatives, keeping ocean awareness alive alongside the technology work.
2024
2025Race for Oceans
The movement keeps growing through volunteer-led cleanups, awareness campaigns and collaborations with municipalities, keeping the focus on visible plastic pollution and community action.
2025
2025Race for Oceans Technology
From TRL 1 to 2 and focus on biodiversity & governance.
2026Race for Oceans
Race for Oceans remains active as a non-profit movement, with ongoing cleanups, events and outreach that continue to build the community behind the mission.
2026
2026Race for Oceans Technology
Selected from 160 applicants for Apelago, the Nordics' largest accelerator for ocean impact start-ups, and accepted into a Tech Nordic Advocates programme. First grant received from Women in Tech, and a nomination to the list of the 100 most influential women in AI in Denmark.