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1 - Capacity Building
Focus: Blue Economy innovation trends, Entrepreneurial skills, Start-up strategies.
Application Deadline: 8 June 2025
Dates: 17, 20, 24 and 27 of June 2025
Format: Online
Price: Free
2 - Acceleration and Incubation
Focus: Market Validation, Investor identification, Customer discovery, and Go to market plan development
Application Deadline: 30 June 2025
Dates: 7 July to 8 of December 2025
Format: Online
Price: Free
For more information, contact: jan@bgi.pt
This comprehensive program is tailored to support and accelerate innovative solutions within the blue economy, providing participants with the tools, knowledge, and connections necessary to transform ideas into successful ventures.
Build. Validate. Scale.
BGI presents the Blue Economy Acceleration, a cutting-edge, 3-stage online innovation program tailored for early-stage entrepreneurs and researchers that aims to transform blue bio-based technologies into market-ready ventures.
The Program
The Blue Economy Acceleration equips you with the knowledge, mentoring, and industry access needed to launch and grow a successful venture in the blue bioeconomy. From capacity building to go-to-market planning, this journey includes expert guidance, market validation, and incubation opportunities at AmpliAqua® , a Research & Development aquaculture facility.
Focus Areas
• Nutrient Upcycling & Circularity:
Valorize and upcycle aquaculture nutrients to reduce environmental impact and enhance circular systems.
• Fish Welfare Monitoring:
Monitor physical and microbiological parameters to improve fish health and welfare.
• Efficient Hydro(bio)ponic Systems:
Optimize production with minimal space and input use, leverage microbiomes, and enhance nutrient density in crops.
• Sustainable Packaging:
Develop eco-friendly packaging solutions for fish, vegetables, and herbs to extend shelf life.
• Microalgal Biomass Utilization:
Improve production, collection, and valorization of microalgal biomass (e.g., for biofertilizers).
• Digitalization & Automation:
Implement data collection, AI integration, and automation for smarter system management.
• Innovative Aquaculture
Design and implement sustainable aquaculture systems that improve yield, reduce waste, and integrate with circular blue economy models.
Who Should Apply?
• Senior researchers, PhD students, starting entrepreneurs, and SMEs working on innovative TRL 3-7 blue economy solutions, structured projects, or ideas after the first successful tests in a controlled environment
• Early-stage entrepreneurs and researchers working in blue bioeconomy topics
• Individuals or teams based in Europe or Horizon Europe-associated countries
This program is more than acceleration. It’s your launchpad to the future of sustainable aquaculture, blue biotech, and regenerative marine innovation. Whether you’re in a lab or just sketched your MVP, we’ll help you make it real.
Benefits 4 participants
• 1-on-1 Mentorship from seasoned entrepreneurs and blue economy experts
• Tailored Training to refine your business model and market approach
• Networking Access with investors, R&D testbeds, and ecosystem players
• Prize Pool of €2,500
• Incubation Opportunity at AmpliAqua®, a Research & Development aquaculture facility.
• Funding Strategy Support and visibility within the BGI ecosystem
Capacity Building Program
For startups / entrepreneurs or enthusiastic individuals
(It is not mandatory to have business idea or innovation in mind).
Four sessions with leading sector experts will address essential entrepreneurial skills in areas such as Blue Economy trends, business structuring, investor pitching, startup finance, and IP regulations.
Strengthen your competencies in everything you need to confidently develop and pitch your business idea in the Blue Economy sector.
3-hour sessions during the end of June 2025.
Acceleration & Incubation Program
For startups /entrepreneurs with a business or innovation idea in Blue economy areas.
Two Acceleration Bootcamps
Intensive sessions designed to address your specific challenges and get market validation through personalized mentor support.
Address key pain points including accelerating your venture, and refining your business strategy and market approach, through tailor-made sessions.
Between the two bootcamps, participants will have time to engage in customer discovery and real-life market validation, with expert guidance available upon request to support this process.
Two half-day sessions in each Bootcamp, 7th–8th July and 1st–2nd September 2025
Eight weeks mentoring
One-to-one mentoring where you'll develop your detailed Go-to-Market Plan, apply and validate your technology in a real-life environment at AmpliAqua®, and explore tailored funding opportunities.
8 one-hour weekly one-on-one sessions, from October to December 2025.
Two pitch and networking sessions
Integrate your development into your business idea and Pitch your to sector experts and investors, expand your professional network, and receive direct, high-quality feedback from industry leaders.
Attend the in-person session in a food sector, cross-area event, and compete for €2,500 prize pool.
Two half-day sessions in October and December 2025
Extended incubation for further 6 months
Up to three teams will be invited to extend their incubation program and join the AmpliAqua® facility and explore further opportunities to test, validate and demo their solution.
From December 2025 to June 2026.
AmpliAqua®
AmpliAqua® is a research and innovation unit focused on making land-based aquaculture more sustainable. Still in a pre-commercial stage, it aims to solve key challenges in traditional aquaculture by reducing environmental and social impacts in line with the European Green Deal. This facility helps drive the industry’s green transformation by allowing Startups and Innovators to develop and test new solutions.
FAQs
Do I need to be in Portugal to participate in the program?
The program is primarily conducted online, allowing participants to engage from any location during the initial stages. However, for those advancing to the final incubation phase, physical presence in Portugal will be required starting from December 8, 2025. This phase offers hands-on opportunities at the AmpliAqua® R&D aquaculture facility, providing practical experience and direct access to industry resources.
What is the overall duration and structure of the program?
The program spans approximately six months, from June 3 to December 8, 2025, and is divided into three distinct phases:Capacity Building (June 3 – July 29):
-Eight thematic sessions led by industry experts to enhance participants' business strategies and entrepreneurial skills.
-Acceleration Phase (August 5 – October 6): Two intensive bootcamps focused on structuring and refining business ideas, culminating in pitch development.
-Incubation Phase (October 8 – December 8): Eight weeks of personalized mentorship aimed at developing a comprehensive Go-to-Market Plan (GTMP), exploring testbed applications, and advancing product development.
Post-December 8, there is an opportunity for an additional six months of incubation at the AmpliAqua® facility for selected projects.
Is there any funding or financial support provided to participants?
While the program does not offer direct funding, there is a prize pool of €2,500 distributed among the top three participants who advance to the Incubation Phase.
Additionally, participants benefit from extensive mentorship, training, networking opportunities, and potential priority access to other BGI programs and testbeds, which can be instrumental in fundraising efforts and business development.
Who is eligible to apply for the program?
The program is designed for:
- Senior researchers, PhD students, aspiring entrepreneurs, and SMEs.
-Individuals or teams working on innovative solutions within Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 3-7.
- Projects focusing on key areas such as nutrient upcycling, fish welfare monitoring, hydroponic systems, sustainable packaging, microalgal biomass utilization, and digitalization in aquaculture.
- European nationals and residents.
What are the key benefits of participating in the program?
- Expert Training: Engage in sessions with leading professionals to refine business strategies and entrepreneurial skills.
- Mentorship: Receive personalized guidance during the Acceleration and Incubation phases to develop and implement a robust market validation plan.
- Networking Opportunities: Connect with professionals, companies, and other startups within the blue economy sector, fostering collaborations and partnerships.
- Incubation Access: Potential for on-site incubation at the AmpliAqua® R&D facility, providing practical experience and access to state-of-the-art resources.
- Funding Opportunities: Compete for the €2,500 prize pool and receive support in developing fundraising strategies.
- Priority Access: Gain preferential entry to other BGI programs and testbeds opportunities facilitating further development and scaling of your project.
How can I apply, and what is the application timeline?
Applications are open from April 14 to May 31, 2025. To apply:
- Visit the Blue Economy Acceleration Program application page.
- Complete the online application form with the required personal and project details.
- Submit the application before the May 31st deadline.
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