Age: 25
Occupation: Co-founder of Blue Ventures
www.blueventures.org
After graduating from Oxford last year, Tom went on to discover the world of entrepreneurship…
Profile of Blue Ventures
Blue Ventures is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to facilitating projects and expedition that enhance global marine conservation and research. Since 2002, we have run over 16 expeditions to Madagascar, Tanzania, New Zealand, The Comoros and South Africa.
Blue Ventures co-ordinates expeditions consisting of scientists and volunteers working hand-in-hand with local biologists, marine institutes, NGOs, and communities whose livelihoods depend on these ecosystems, to carry out research, environmental awareness and conservation programmes at threatened habitats around the world.
Problems he’s had and how he’s overcome them:
Setting up and running a fully-functioning diving and research centre 250km from the nearest phone/road in South-West Madagascar, with no communication other than by satellite telephone. We overcame it by an incredible amount of hard work!
Major successes:
Last year we were highly commended in the responsible travel awards, this year we have won the SEED Awards. Our project incorporating; Madagascar’s first community-run, self-sustaining experimental Marine Protected Area was chosen as a ‘shining example of how economic development and environmental protection can go hand in hand’, by the international panel which made the selection.
What I love about (social) entrepreneurship:
Being able to be free to run with your own ideas, dreams and goals!
