Call for Tender: EU Coastal Monitoring Demonstrators
The ‘EU Coastal Monitoring Demonstrators’ Call for Tender, launched by Mercator Ocean International, aims to reinforce the Copernicus Marine Service’s interactions and collaboration with core users at the national and transnational level in the European Union.
In the newsroom, you will find the latest updates on the BlueInvest initiative: useful videos to expand your knowledge, success stories, insights on our pasts and upcoming events and much more!
BlueInvest was launched in 2019 with the aim to facilitate access to finance and support investment readiness for early stage businesses, SMEs and scale ups in the blue economy. The platform …
Supports investment readiness and access to finance for innovative start-ups, SMEs, and scale-ups in the blue economy.
Provides a market path through technical assistance, visibility, matchmaking and network- and opportunity-building for investors and companies.
Guides investors to specialize their investment strategies into blue economy related areas and to maximize their related investments.
Fosters a community and investment ecosystem to help finance the go-to-market and scale-up and to fuel the transition to more sustainable finance and impact investment.
SUCCESS STORIES
80+ beneficiaries had qualified introductions to investors 50+ beneficiaries secured investment 96.5% satisfaction rate
Read more on the BlueInvest beneficiaries and their success stories here below.
From bluefins to BlueInvest: Next Tuna's sustainable solution
Success stories
Tuna is the most appreciated aquatic food item in the EU. Worldwide, the consumption of tuna species amounts to 7.5 million tonnes per year, equalling to a global tuna market value of € 36 billion per year. Unfortunately, this consumption is fully based on wild catch as reproduction of tuna in farms has not (yet) been achieved at commercial scale. This is particularly threatening the Atlantic bluefin tuna (ABT), one of the highest quality tuna species.
Next Tuna, a Germany-based company founded in 2020, is addressing this critical issue by pioneering a sustainable solution through innovative aquaculture. And, as so often, innovation needs cooperation to thrive. In 2023, Next Tuna benefited from the BlueInvest Fundraising Assistance Programme.
“BlueInvest support was extremely helpful in strengthening our network of private investors”, says Andrew Eckhardt, co-founder of Next Tuna.
Three key challenges to commercial Atlantic bluefin tuna reproduction
There are three most critical points towards ABT reproduction at commercial scale.
First, ensuring the proper feeding of ABT during the crucial larvae stage, which has however seen significant progress in Asia and Europe.
Secondly, achieving the reliable spawning of broodstock in captivity. In 2023, Next Tuna's partner, the Spanish Institute of Oceanography, accomplished a global first with ABT raised in their land-based recirculating aqua system (RAS), a closed-loop water system that ensures a controlled and optimal environment for the breeding and growth of aquatic species.
Thirdly, specific infrastructure designed for ABT is essential. This infrastructure guarantees that broodstock and juveniles remain in a controlled environment until reaching biological robustness, facilitating their transfer without the need for manual intervention.
Technology and partnerships: a comprehensive approach
To tackle this third challenge, Next Tuna have, together with Seafarming Systems, developed a highly innovative floating recirculating aqua system (RAS) concept. A first floating RAS system is expected to go into operation in Spain later this year as fully operational fish farm. The system can be used for all finfish species. Next Tuna aims to market it to third parties – but also to develop precision farming methodologies within it, together with Fraunhofer Society and other partners.
Next Tuna's journey extends beyond commercial success; it is a crucial step towards preserving ABT and maritime wildlife. Dr. Paul-Daniel Sindilariu, Co-founder of Next Tuna, emphasises their goal:“We want to take the great progress made in Atlantic bluefin tuna reproduction research to the final step of commercialisation. We will revive the European tuna industry and provide healthy, sustainably produced Atlantic bluefin tuna to European consumers.”
The internal view of the floating recirculating aquasystem shows the tank at its centre, allowing the completion of the reproductive cycle of the ABT at commercial scale.
In 2021, Next Tuna participated in the BlueInvest Readiness Assistance Program, which helped them to complement the funding received from EIT Food as winner of their 2021 call 'Sustainable Aquaculture' with private funding. Also, Next Tuna were the winner of the BlueInvest Award 2023, in the category Sustainable Food and Feed from the Ocean. In 2023, Next Tuna benefited from the BlueInvest Fundraising Assistance Programme.
Next Tuna Co-Founder Andrew Eckhardt during his pitch at the BlueInvest Awards 2023, which was rewarded by the jury with the price in Category II: Sustainable Food and Feed from the Ocean.
With the support of BlueInvest and partners, including the IEO, Seafarming Systems, Wageningen Livestock Research and Skretting, Next Tuna’s journey underscores the importance of partnerships for innovation and safeguarding endangered species and promoting a responsible blue economy.
About BlueInvest
BlueInvest is an EU initiative that aims to boost innovation and investment in sustainable technologies for the blue economy. It offers assistance to access financing for early-stage businesses, SMEs and scale-ups. BlueInvest is enabled by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund.
BlueInvest Readiness Assistance is an exclusive coaching programme. It targets high potential EU startups and SMEs with innovative and sustainable products and solutions for the blue economy. Businesses and projects selected for investment readiness assistance will receive coaching packages tailored to their readiness levels and business objectives. The programme is impact-driven, with a clear focus on providing business support to help startups and SMEs build capacities for growth and attract investment.
More mature SMEs can also apply to the BlueInvest fundraising assistance, that aims to support equity round closures through coaching.
The European Commission launched theShip Financing Portal, designed to improve access to financing for the shipping sector and the wider maritime industry.
The platform, launched by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport, provides businesses and organisations with a repository of available financial tools needed to drive fleet renewal and retrofitting, enhance efficiency, and reduce environmental impact.
The Portal in a nutshell:
Consolidated resource:the portal centralises access to a variety of pan-European financing products, simplifying the search for suitable financing opportunities for stakeholders across the maritime sector.
Current information:it provides up-to-date details on available grants, loans, and other financing products administered by the EU, Member States, and private financial institutions. This ensures that users are informed about the latest financing opportunities.
Sector-specific solutions:the portal lists financing products relevant for the shipping sector, facilitating the development and deployment of technologies and services to promote shipping decarbonisation. This aligns with the EU's commitment to steer the maritime sector towards a green transition.
The launch of the portal is a further step in supporting the greening of the maritime industry. The portal addresses the lack of available information on financing opportunities.
The European Commission invites all maritime stakeholders, including small and medium-sized businesses, financial institutions, and other organisations to explore the Ship Financing Portal and take advantage of the diverse financing opportunities available. This initiative underscores the EU's dedication to fostering a sustainable and competitive maritime sector.
EUSPA has published a new Fundamental Elements funding scheme grant to support the integration of Galileo High Accuracy Service (HAS) in maritime positioning and/or navigation solutions.
The Galileo HAS-enabled Maritime receiver Call for Proposals aims at designing, developing, testing and demonstrating aGNSSpositioning/navigation solution, integrating Galileo HAS receiver, suitable to be embedded within the vessel navigation equipment.
Deadline for submission to the call: Friday, September 20, 2024 - 23:59 CEST.
You can read more about this opportunity at theEUSPA pages.
Oceanovation Festival - 21-22 June 2023
Innovation and technology are the cornerstones of a blue economy, and Europe is leading the way. A thriving Blue economy promises to bring innumerable benefits through the financing of projects and investments with a focus on marine innovation and circular economy solutions. This is why Blue Invest is a supporting partner of OCEANOVATION Festival taking place in The Hague on 21-22 June.
The Festival will bring together 350+ innovative founders, investors, corporates, and forward-thinking minds in the ocean space to identify, implement and scale the technologies we need to grow the blue economy in a sustainable way. As part of the Blue Invest network, you will be able to attend 2 days of workshops and engaging conversation with a 40% discount on the ticket. Take part in the different civities offered during the event such as a Founders program, dedicated Investor Program, Pitch on The Beach, Industry Workshops, and unlimited networking opportunities.
BlueInvest is partnering up with Ocean Autonomy Cluster for the seminar “Protecting and Monitoring the Ocean - the Nordics” taking place on 03 May in Clarion Brattøra and online.
Experts, innovators, and industry leaders will gather to discuss the current state and prospects of the blue economy in the Nordic region.
The session "Solutions looking for a problem - Entrepreneurs" is available for online participation. Registerhere.
The other parts of the event are by invitation only. Any questions can be addressed toOcean Autonomy Cluster.
Innovation Fund third small-scale call for projects
Thethird Innovation Fund small-scale call for projectswas launched on 30 March 2023 with a budget of EUR 100 million for projects with a total capital cost between EUR 2.5 million and below EUR 7.5 million, it will be open for projects submissions until19 September 2023, 17:00 Brussels time.
On 20 April, the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) and the European Commission's DG Climate Action are organising anInfo Dayto present the call.
BlueInvest and the Black Sea Assistance Mechanism are collaborating to provide market pathways for sustainable and innovative technologies at different stages of formation.
The Black Sea Assistance Mechanism offers participating countries practical support to help meet the blue economy goals of the Common Maritime Agenda for the Black Sea.
The focus is on facilitating awareness and capacity of local and regional stakeholders by providing the Black Sea community with expertise on the blue economy, a network across borders on both shores to help project leaders find the right partners, as well as support with project idea development and share funding opportunities.
BlueInvest and the Black Sea Assistance Mechanism are collaborating to provide market pathways for sustainable and innovative technologies at different stages of formation.
The Black Sea Assistance Mechanism offers participating countries practical support to help meet the blue economy goals of the Common Maritime Agenda for the Black Sea.
The focus is on facilitating awareness and capacity of local and regional stakeholders by providing the Black Sea community with expertise on the blue economy, a network across borders on both shores to help project leaders find the right partners, as well as support with project idea development and share funding opportunities.
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