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!
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.
SEAWATER Cubes, a German startup founded in 2018, aims to transform seafood production with its modular decentralised aquaculture system. This alternative approach to conventional farming methods provides more sustainable seafood, supports global food security, and offers an innovative source of income for farmers.
Frankfurt airport is the biggest fish port in Europe!
'Our wake-up call was the realisation that Frankfurt airport is the largest fish port in Europe. Still today, tonnes of fish are transported by plane from all other the world to the end consumer in Europe,'says Carolin Ackermann, CEO and co-founder of SEAWATER Cubes. 'We do believe we need decentralised supply systems when it comes to food production.'
Our oceans face significant challenges due to overfishing, unsustainable practices, and the depletion of marine ecosystems. As demand for seafood grows with the global population, these issues will only worsen.
SEAWATER Cubes’ mission is therefore crucial: the future of our oceans, and the livelihoods of many, depend on innovative and sustainable solutions for seafood production.
Everyone can become a fish farmer
SEAWATER Cubes’ cutting-edge land-based modular systems provide better control over water quality and fish health, significantly reducing environmental impact. Their 'Recirculating aquaculture system' (RAS) use a closed loop to recycle water, reducing the environmental impact of fish farming.
The company also leverages fully automated software that integrates comprehensive fish data, making it much easier for new operators to access this industry.
'Our innovation isn’t just about producing fish; it’s about creating a balanced system that protects marine biodiversity and offers a reliable food source without harming the planet, all while strengthening the agriculture sector of tomorrow by enabling young farmers to diversify their traditional agri-business,'says Carolin Ackermann.
For example, the modular system’s wastewater, a nutrient-rich sludge, can be integrated into biogas fermentation processes. This coupling allows organic substances from fish farming to be transformed into renewable energy sources, reducing environmental strain and offering cost-saving benefits.
SEAWATER Cubes’ modular system can be combined with a biogas plant.
More differentiation in policy and investment support needed
Despite its innovative approach, SEAWATER Cubes and the broader sector face challenges. One key obstacle is the limited awareness of small-scale sustainable aquaculture solutions.
SEAWATER Cubes advocates for increased support from both public and private sectors and seeks greater collaboration with industry leaders, investors, and policymakers to accelerate the adoption of innovative approaches.
People’s Choice Award winner of the BlueInvest Awards 2024
SEAWATER Cube receives the BlueInvest 2024 People’s Choice Award
'Participating in BlueInvest Day was very valuable for us to be recognised at the EU level. It boosted our visibility and credibility in the eyes of investors and partners,'CEO and co-founder Carolin Ackermann explains.
SEAWATER Cubes participated in the awards pitch battle of BlueInvest Day 2024, where they presented their solution to an investor jury and the conference attendees in the 'Sustainable Food and Feed from the Ocean' category. They were rewarded with the prestigious People’s Choice Award.
BlueInvest Day also offered SEAWATER Cubes with valuable opportunities to network with key stakeholders and validate their approach. 'This platform gives us the opportunity to connect with key players, and we hope for more collaborative support that accelerates the adoption of innovative approaches'adds Carolin Ackermann.
BlueInvest
BlueInvestis the EU's innovation and investment platform for the blue economy, offering business coaching, fundraising support, and networking opportunities for ocean technology companies. Interested individuals can register with the BlueInvest Community to explore programme features and opportunities or contact lu-blueinvest@pwc.lu.
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.
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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