A’Pelago Accelerator

Are you developing a blue economy innovation, product or service that can make an impact for the sea regions?

Sea region solutions can tackle the biggest challenges of our time. We accelerate those.

2025 Info deck

Our shallow Archipelago Sea and the Baltic Sea region is a fruitful spot to find and test solutions that can benefit larger audiences. Here we witness the challenges first hand and can therefore answer with solutions that can be globally scaled.

At the same time the sea itself is in miserable shape owing to us humans. Hence, we cannot afford potential solutions to be stuck in sharp minds or labs.

That’s why we initiated the Accelerator program. It exists in order to support our community and create breakthrough blue economy solutions that the wider world and oceans can benefit from. We help startups to accelerate from idea to impact. You steer. We support in navigation.

All A'Pelago Accelerator 2025, Full Program and Venture Track, participants get an invitation to compete at the A'Pelago Pitch Challenge Semifinals. The Pitch Challenge shared prize is 25.000 EUR.

Our blue economy start-up builder programs
are here to stay

Select from our current upcoming programs and apply as soon as possible.

A'Pelago Accelerator
Full Program

5 month program, annually Q1-Q3, for idea, pre-seed and seed level
blue economy startups.

Programme includes structured continuous support, access to coaching, A'Pelago ecosystem, intensive onsite workshops in Turku, online R&D resources, right to compete at the next A'Pelago Pitch Challenge and visibility at the next A’Pelago Initiative -event.

A'Pelago Accelerator
Venture Track

3-5 day program, Q2-Q3, for seed and growth stage
blue economy ventures and initiatives.

Plan includes 2x 1-to-1 support sessions, 1 pitch workshop,
right to compete at the next A'Pelago Pitch Challenge and startup booth and visibility at the next A’Pelago Initiative -event.

Who should apply to the programs?

The Accelerator programs are dedicated for blue economy startups, spinoffs, growth companies and innovators working with the challenges described by UN Ocean Decade. Hence, we are looking for solutions in the following sectors:

In addition our we require our applicant fullfill the following requirements:

Sea region and climate positive and scalable business model
Solution is science-based or can be backed up by science
MVP, Proof-of-concept or validated concept
Team: technical and business oriented co-founders, minimum of 2
Operations or at least some of it is based on or can be tested in the Baltic Sea region.
At least one member of the startup team at the management level must be able to attend program meetings. The primary language of the program is English.

If you fit the criteria, apply to join us! Please do not be too demure when answering the questions, and if in doubt, you can always contact us!

Meet some of A'Pelago Accelerator Coaches

Our A’Pelago Accelerator Coaches are specialists across diverse fields, including experienced entrepreneurs, influential business experts, leading researchers, and venture capital investors. With their deep expertise, they provide valuable guidance and mentorship to our attendees, helping them navigate the path to success.

Piia Maaranen

Partner, Innovestor

Inka Mero

General Partner, Voima Ventures

Fredrik Rönnlund

Founder & CEO, Leadoo Marketing Technologies

Rebecca Sjödin

Co-Founder & Principal, node.vc

John Kronberg

AI Engineer and People Specialist, Silo.AI

Kaj Hagros

VC investor, tech executive and advisor within digital services, media and health, Redstone VC

Anna Törnroos-Remes

Associate Professor, Environmental and Marine Biology, Åbo Akademi

Knut Ringbom

Co-founder & Senior Advisor, Biovian

Patrik Anckar

Partner & Co-founder, A'Pelago Experience

Milla Unkila

Head of communications, BIODIFUL, University of Turku

Pär Mickos

Senior Advisor, Skaldo Oy Ab

Timo Ketonen

Partner & Co-founder, A'Pelago

Teemu Birkstedt

Entrepreneur, Advisor, Professor of Practice

Turo Numminen

Co-founder, Sofokus Ventures

Mari Granström

Chief Executive Activist, Origin By Ocean

Ville Valtonen

Executive Search Consultant, HRS Advisors Oy

A'Pelago Accelerator is looking for bold, innovative companies
within the Blue Economy ready to scale and reclaim the seas to join our programs.

Excellent, diverse teams
Innovative, science-based sea positive technologies
Companies on route from shallow seas to global oceans

Questions about the Accelerator programs?
info@apelago.fi

Apply now

The A'Pelago Accelerator is built in partnership with

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