Boyan Slat

Boyan Slat is a Dutch inventor and entrepreneur who creates technological solutions to global problems. He is the founder and CEO of The Ocean Cleanup; a Dutch foundation which develops advanced systems to rid world’s oceans of plastic. ‘”The Ocean Cleanup has been chosen by TIME Magazine as one of the Best Inventions of 2015.”

Boyan Slat combines environmentalism, creativity and technology to tackle global issues of sustainability. In his presentations he inspires businesses and start-ups to overcome challenges through the use of modern technology and innovative thinking. His eye opening presentations and his energetic and fresh speaking style make Boyan Slat a sought-after speaker at conferences around the globe.

In February 2013 he dropped out of his Aerospace Engineering study at TU Delft to start The Ocean Cleanup. The first cleanup prototype was deployed in June 2016 and The Ocean Cleanup now prepares to launch the first full-scale operational system into the Great Pacific Garbage Patch by mid-2018. Boyan Slat is the youngest-ever recipient of the UN’s highest environmental accolade: Champion of the Earth. In 2015, HM King Harald of Norway awarded Boyan the maritime industry’s Young Entrepreneur Award, Forbes included him in their 30 under 30edition in 2016, Elsevier named him Dutchman of the Year in 2017 and in May 2018, Boyan was awarded “European Entrepreneur of the Year”. In 2019 the European Commission elected Boyan as one of the experts to advise the commission on its multi-billion-euro innovation strategy.