Applications open for 3rd Edition of Blue Bio Value Accelerator

The Oceano Azul Foundation and the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation announce the opening of applications for the 2020 3rd edition of the Blue Bio Value Acceleration Program. Applicants can submit their projects at www.bluebiovalue.pt until the 15th of July.

With the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen the critical importance of science, research and creativity as essential tools in the search for answers to today’s greatest global challenges. In the case of marine biotechnology, we have witnessed the potential to provide solutions to a variety of sectors, while contributing to the development of a new, more responsible economic model that ensures sustainable growth, benefitting the environment and the ocean.

Through Blue Bio Value,the Oceano Azul and Calouste Gulbenkian foundations provide training and access to a network of mentors, infrastructure and investors, supporting selected entrepreneurs in valuing their projects and businesses linked to the sustainable blue bioeconomy, bringing these projects to the market.

For the Oceano Azul Foundation, “the impact of current circumstances show the importance of continued work in this area. It demonstrates the very real need for more of these kinds of startups to emerge that are capable of bringing solutions that guarantee more sustainable economic alternatives”, says Miguel Herédia, consultant from the Oceano Azul Foundation.

In view of the current public health crisis, this 3rd edition, to take place between 29 September and 30 October, has adapted to be fully remote, with the aim to protect the health and well-being of all participants, mentors and partners.

The accelerator’s standout startups and Research Projects, will be awarded with a value that can go up to € 45,000.00, to be used to further develop their projects. Launched in 2018, the Blue Bio Value Program has already received and accelerated 28 companies of 15 nationalities, under the guidance of more than 40 mentors. In the first edition, the standout winners were the Dutch company Hoekmine, and the Portuguese SEAentia and Undersee. In the 2019 edition, the winners of the program were Biosolvit, Brazilian, Ficosterra, Spanish, and uFraction8, from the United Kingdom.

In this year’s edition, the Oceano Azul Foundation and the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, in partnership with Fábrica de Startups and the Bluebio Alliance, will empower participants to:

• Validate developed technologies

• Acquire management skills, creating bases for the development of new products and services that are more sustainable and economically viable, for a global market

• Access a unique network of national and international mentors, specialized partners in the sector, potential customers and investors.

TIMELINE

• Application period – May 4th through July 15th
• Acceleration program – September 29th through October 30th
• Pitch final – October 30th

More info: www.oceanoazulfoundation.org