Alex Schulze

Alex Schulze is the co-founder and CEO of 4ocean, a company focused on addressing the ocean plastic crisis through sustainable business practices. After earning a degree in entrepreneurship from Florida Atlantic University, Schulze co-founded 4ocean with Andrew Cooper following a surf trip to Bali, where they observed significant plastic pollution affecting both the environment and local fishing communities. Recognizing the impact of plastic waste on marine ecosystems and livelihoods, Schulze and Cooper developed a model that employs local fishermen to remove plastic from the ocean.

4ocean operates as a B Corp, structured as a for-profit business with a conservation mission. In an industry often led by NGOs and charities, Schulze aimed to demonstrate that branding, community engagement, and strategic partnerships could drive large-scale ocean cleanups and create employment opportunities. The company commits to removing one pound of trash from the ocean for every product sold, a pledge known as the One Pound Promise. 4ocean employs more than 200 full-time captains and crew members in Florida and Indonesia, providing salaries, insurance, and equipment directly to its teams.

The company marked a milestone by removing 50 million pounds of trash from the world's oceans, an achievement recognized by community leaders and philanthropists. Early growth was fueled by viral coverage from NowThis and Business Insider, helping 4ocean expand from a small startup to a global organization. The company further extended its impact through the 4Ocean Foundation, a nonprofit arm that develops ocean-cleaning technologies such as aquatic drones and sand sifters.

Schulze and Cooper were named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in the Social Entrepreneur category and received Surfer Magazine's Agent of Change award for leadership in ocean conservation. The founders were also recognized by Newsweek's 201 Creative Class. Schulze frequently speaks on topics including ocean conservation, business leadership, environmental activism, social entrepreneurship, and sustainability, offering insights at the intersection of business and environmental responsibility.