A'Pelago and Business Turku: Launch new edition of Blue Accelerator to boost innovations in blue economy
This program, which begins in January 2025, is aimed at universities, startups, spin-offs and companies committed to transforming maritime resources in a sustainable and responsible manner.
A'Pelago and Business Turku announce the start of the call for the second edition of the Blue Accelerator, a five-month acceleration program designed to promote sustainable development and innovation in the blue economy. This program, which begins in January 2025, is aimed at universities, startups, spin-offs and companies committed to sustainably and responsibly transforming maritime resources.
Innovation to Solve Maritime Challenges
The Blue Accelerator aims to support companies seeking innovative solutions to the issues facing the marine environment, such as pollution and the use of natural resources.
During the program, participants will receive support in the development and validation of business ideas, as well as in brand building, service design, and exploration of financing options. In addition, selected projects will be able to access national and international networks, thereby expanding their potential for growth and visibility.
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Open call for projects with international projection.
Patrik Anckar, partner and co-founder of A'Pelago, highlighted the global ambition of the Blue Accelerator: "Our program is completely focused on the blue economy, with a scientific basis and a place in the international network "Ocean Community". We are looking for business ideas that are scalable to the international market."
In the first edition, participants included aquaculture projects, marine seabed research, and renewable biomass development.
Among the criteria that must be met by those who want to apply are:
- Solve one or more challenges defined by the UN Ocean Decade and positively impact the vitality of the areas of the Sea of the Finnish Archipelago.
- The solution is based on science.
- The business must be less than 3 years old.
- The business model is scalable.
- It has an MVP, proof of concept, or validated concept.
- Team: at least 2 people.
- The operation, or at least a part of it, is located or can be proven in the area of the Sea of the Archipelago of Finland.
The second edition of the program will culminate in the A'Pelago Initiative event, which will be held in August and where the projects will have the opportunity to present themselves to investors, private equity funds, and industry players, both nationally and internationally.
If you believe that your startup, research, university or research center can be part of this program, you can apply at this link until December 31.
Collaboration to strengthen the blue economy in Europe.
The 2025 edition is backed by Business Turku, an entity whose mission includes the growth of the blue economy in Finland. Strategic partners also include LähiTapiola Etelärannikko, the city of Parainen and Åbo Akademi, who will provide their expertise and connections to expand the reach of the program.
According to Tom Palenius, CEO of Business Turku, "To improve the state of the Archipelago Sea and the Baltic Sea, quick and innovative actions are needed that are also profitable. This collaboration with A'Pelago supports our mission to accelerate the growth of sustainable businesses, providing key contacts to both the involved parties and investors."
Sea of the Archipelago as a Laboratory for the Blue Economy.
The mayor of Turku, Minna Arve, highlighted the potential of the Archipelago Sea to inspire solutions that can be replicated in other marine environments globally: "The blue economy is an emerging sector and, combined with our region's maritime industry, could generate a unique combination. Due to its shallow depth, pollution in the Archipelago Sea is faster, making it an ideal environment for scalable innovations".
Whit information of Business Turku and A´Pelago.