Applications are open from 20 September to 5 December 2025. The Nordic Blue accelerator program by A'Pelago starts in January 2026.
October 2025.- Applications are now open for Nordic Blue by A’Pelago, the region’s first equity-free accelerator dedicated to startups in the blue economy. This bold initiative is designed to help early-stage ventures scale sustainable marine innovation across aquaculture, marine biotech, ocean energy, maritime tech, conservation, and blue carbon.
Turning the tide on ocean innovation
The Nordic region is rich in marine assets and research capacity, yet many promising ventures struggle to cross from prototype to scale. Nordic Blue aims to close that gap by offering hands-on business support, coaching, and investor connections, while preserving full equity ownership for founders.
Across its 7-month program, participants will engage in:
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- Tailored coaching from industry experts
- Strategy, branding, fundraising, and product development support
- On-site field trips across Nordic maritime hubs (Stockholm, Trondheim, Copenhagen)
- A kickoff session in Turku and culminates in an Investor Day at the A’Pelago Initiative 2026, 19-21st August in Finland, further connecting ventures with potential partners and investors.
Who should apply?
Nordic Blue is open to startup teams already having an MVP in the market and aiming to raise pre-seed, seed, or Series A rounds. Importantly, no equity is taken during the program, keeping founders in full control.
Applications are open from 20 September to 5 December 2025, with the program beginning in January 2026.
Nordic Blue seeks ventures in:
- Aquatech: smart water systems, desalination, purification
- Marine pollution reduction: bioremediation, microplastic removal, runoff solutions
- Aquaculture & seafood substitutes: sustainable farming, algae-based, cultivated seafood
- Sea-based renewable energy: offshore wind, wave and tidal energy, floating solar
- And other blue innovations: such as coastal protection and AI-driven ocean data platforms.
Why Nordic Blue matters
- It builds on A’Pelago’s legacy as a key node in Nordic blue economy ecosystems, connecting Finland to cross-border opportunities.
- It addresses a pressing global need: restoring and protecting marine environments while enabling sustainable economic opportunity.
- It offers startups a platform to position their solutions at regional and global scales without surrendering equity too soon.
Nordic Blue builds on the A’Pelago Accelerator’s proven track record in supporting innovative blue economy ventures and ecosystem. Since 2022, regional collaborations have laid the foundation for the thriving A’Pelago blue economy ecosystem, fostering growing partnerships between industry, academia, and investors.
By 2025, the ecosystem expanded through cross-border event participation, connecting Finnish entrepreneurs with Nordic opportunities. In 2026, the launch of the first Nordic blue economy accelerator positions A’Pelago as a leading Nordic driver of innovation, helping to reclaim and restore the seas.