Finland’s blue economy accelerator initiative A’Pelago and its Nordic ecosystem partners are opening applications for Nordic Blue, an equity-free, hands-on program to help innovative ventures and leadership teams across sustainable aquaculture, marine biotech, renewable ocean energy, seafood value chains, maritime technology, marine conservation, ocean tech, blue carbon initiatives, and other sectors within the blue economy.
Over the seven-month program, participants receive coaching from industry experts, curated connections, access to a Nordic innovation network, and ongoing support to catalyze both commercial growth and positive sea impact.
Startups with an MVP on the market, raising Pre-seed, Seed, or Series A rounds, are eligible. 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.
The announcement comes as the Åbo Akademi University Foundation in Turku is preparing to open the Blue Economy Centre. The Turku-based investment company Aboa Advest will bring together various actors from the blue economy sector within the centre’s premises.
“We focus on sustainable, ocean-related business activities, which often require the construction of new value chains,” said Patrik Anckar, co-founder and CEO of A’Pelago “That is why we are especially pleased to develop and strengthen A’Pelago’s ecosystem with the launch of the Blue Economy Centre. The centre will serve as a critical hub for our operations. The proximity to other actors in Astra enables quick and creative solutions that combine entrepreneurial, scientific, and financial aspects.”
