Episode #21: Ocean innovation & the art of doing hard things – with Florian Dirkse, co-founder The Ocean Cleanup
Recorded live at Position Act, this conversation explores Florian’s journey from avid sailor to environmental entrepreneur, and how he built momentum for a global mission to rid the oceans of plastic.
In this episode
Florian shares the story behind The Ocean Cleanup’s rise — from early setbacks and viral breakthroughs to the partnerships, persistence, and purpose driving one of the world’s most iconic environmental missions.
Learn about:
- The real story behind The Ocean Cleanup: How a global sailing expedition led Florian to co-founding a non-profit tackling plastic pollution at scale.
- Failure as fuel: How trial and error became The Ocean Cleanup’s greatest advantage — and why Florian embraces iteration over perfection to make impact scalable.
- From awareness to action: How the team moved from visibility to measurable, system-changing impact.
- Scaling ambition: The role of business, capital, and storytelling in turning a grassroots project into a global operation.
About Florian Dirkse
Florian Dirkse is a Dutch entrepreneur, sailor, and co-founder of The Ocean Cleanup. After circumnavigating the globe by sailboat, he joined forces with Boyan Slat to launch a global effort to eliminate ocean plastic. Today, Florian is a sought-after speaker and a vocal advocate for taking bold action in service of environmental change.
About Sustainable Edge
Sustainable Edge is a Position Green podcast series that explores innovative solutions and inspiring stories of those who are driving the sustainability agenda. Each episode delves into the actions that businesses, governments, and individuals can take to achieve a more sustainable future. Hosted by Position Green’s Executive Chairman, Joachim Nahem, the podcast engages leaders and experts who are at the forefront of climate action and sustainability transformation.
