The Ocean Starts Here
A'Pelago Initiative 2025 - August 20-21, Turku Ruissalon Telakka
Past event
Program
Day 1 - August 20
Let’s start the event by exploring the Baltic Sea’s Potential in the Blue Economy and how its unique conditions drive innovation and global solutions. After lunch and workshops we will move on to discussing regional Blue Economy Capabilities & Hotspots.
After Day 1, we will kick off the evening program with dinner, offering everyone the opportunity to deepen connections within the A’Pelagist Community. The evening program is open to all who have purchased a Initiative Dinner ticket, including dinner and live archipelago music by three bands.
Registration & Opening Show
9:00
Guest Registration & Networking
10:00
The Ocean Starts Here!
The Baltic Sea’s Potential in the Blue Economy development
10:15
The State of Global Blue Economy and Sea Regeneration
10:35
Going Blue in the World Economy - remote
10:55
Racing for the Baltic Sea
11:20
The Baltic Sea Shadow Fleets - Pollution and Sanction evasion?
11:40
Seaside Chat – Reimagining the Baltic Blue Economy
Lunch & How to Sessions on Blue Economy Verticals
Regional Blue Economy Capabilities & Hotspots
14:00
Pioneering the Blue Transition - from visions to action
14:20
Seaside Chat: Success Stories from Ocean Tech
15:00
Fostering a Culture of Blue Economy Thinking
15:20
Taking Science-Based Business Initiatives to the Next Level
15:40
Restoring the Seas from a NGO Perspective
16:00
Seaside Chat: Advancing the Blue Transition
Closing Remarks
16:20
Day 1 Wrap-up
Movie in Lindblom
16:45-17:30
Minun Mereni (My Sea) -movie
Initiative Dinner & Bands Playing - extra add on product
18.00
Initiative Dinner
DoubleTrouble Family Band Playing
Band of Angels Playing
Party Band MPB Playing
23.00
Evening program ends
Day 2 - August 21
The second day is designed for investors, innovators, and startups who can nurture and scale up the future Finnish Sea Region Champions. This year’s Day 2 is divided into two categories: Investor View and Start-Up View. The morning sessions will focus on macro-level investor discussions on the future of Sea Region Scale Ups in Finland. After this overview, we’ll take deep dives into what is going on in the Finnish sea region start-up ecosystem. You will also hear pitches from the top 12 ventures chosen from the A’Pelago Pitch Challenge.
Registration & Opening Show
9:00
Guest Registration & Networking
9:30
Welcome
The rising Blue Economy Finance
9:45
Founder Story: Making an Impact for Healthy Oceans
10:05
Panel: Raising the Level of Blue Economy Finance and Ventures
10:40
Investment Models that Put Money to the use of the Baltic Sea
11:00
Blue Economy: The key to climate resilience and sustainable growth
11:15
Seaside Chat: Unlocking Blue Capital - Blended Finance and Institutional Investment for a Thriving Blue Economy
11:40
Launching New Funds with a Purpose
Lunch & How to Sessions about Building Blue Economy Finance and Startups
A'Pelago Pitch Challenge & Winner Announcement
14:30
A’Pelago Pitch Challenge - Blue Economy Ventures
16:20
Pitch Challenge Winner Announcement
Closing Remarks of Initiative 2025
16:30
Wrap-up of the Initiative 2025
16:45
Event closes
Program Areas
Building on the legacy of previous Initiatives, A’Pelago Initiative 2025 will serve as a key platform for advancing the Blue Economy in the Baltic Sea and beyond. The program will focus on three core themes:
- The Baltic Sea’s Potential in the Blue Economy – How its unique conditions drive innovation and global solutions.
- Regional Blue Economy Verticals, Capabilities & Hotspots – Showcasing Baltic Sea's blue economy strengths and emerging opportunities.
- Ecosystem and Investment Empowerment – Strengthening finances, ecosystem and early stage entrepreneurs to foster sustainable development.
Beyond thought-provoking discussions, the event will feature inspiring keynotes, interactive sessions, high-impact networking, and hands-on collaboration. The Initiative Dinner brings together the ecosystem over a dinner, live music, and informal connections. Full program below.
Announced voices of Initiative 2025 include
keynote speakers and panelists
host & facilitators
talks, roundtables & workshop leaders day 1
talks, roundtables & workshop leaders day 2
We reserve the right to make changes to the program.
A'Pelago Pitch Challenge at Initiative 2025
A'Pelago Pitch Challenge calls blue economy ventures maximizing impact in reducing marine pollution and promoting protection, restoration, rewilding and resilience of sea region ecosystems.
The winners benefit from targeted support, visibility and the chance to share part of the EUR 25.000 prize. The finals take place at A'Pelago Initiative 21st of August 2025 in Ruissalon Telakka.
Why we get together by the sea
Create New Initiatives Through Collaboration
In an increasingly polarized world, we see that gathering diverse viewpoints in the same space is more important than ever. Creating blue economy initiatives with a positive impact for the future requires interaction that embraces the power of collaboration and inclusion.
We believe that a shared vision and values have what it takes to create fresh narratives for a better future. That's why A’Pelago Initiative is a forum for acceptance, trust, sharing brave ideas, and creating new initiatives.
The Think Tank to Action Approach
Vibrant discussions are at the heart of A’Pelago Initiative. The dynamic approach of the events aims to encourage intersectional collaboration and generate co-created initiatives.
The selection of participants is a vital factor that shapes the success of the Initiative. Diverse backgrounds and expertise contribute to increased awareness and knowledge of the event topics, challenging assumptions of the present and nurturing future opportunities.
Ecosystem
The A’Pelago ecosystem is formed by a group of action-driven change-makers, entrepreneurs, researchers, investors, specialists and policymakers, each with a unique connection and ability to create a positive impact on the sea and ocean regions.
The Initiative events have brought together a diverse group of exceptional experts with the Sea Regions in their hearts. The ecosystem is fully committed to delivering results in restoring the seas.
A'Pelago Experience
Are you ready to experience the upcoming A’Pelago Initiative in the door of one of the world's largest archipelago areas?
Ruissalon Telakka is situated in the door of the Finnish Archipelago and is a venue known for its unique location, accessible by sea from Stockholm, Åland, Parainen and Kemiönsaari. Ruissalon Telakka offers good local food, many activities, historic stories of Finland's contribution to life at sea. It is also easy to travel to Ruissalon Telakka by public transport or car from Turku or Helsinki.
The Ecosystem
By joining A'Pelago Initiative as a 2-Day visitor, you gain an A'Pelago Ecosystem Activist membership
When you purchase a 2-day pass to A'Pelago Initiative 2025, you automatically receive an A’Pelago Ecosystem membership, connecting you with a dynamic network of innovators, investors, and organizations shaping the future of the blue economy.
Today, the A'Pelago Ecosystem consists of over 500 organizations and 1,700 individuals, bringing together blue economy startups, investors, research and innovation partners, local communities, and industry leaders. As a member, you gain access to Blue Connect, our collaboration platform for the latest ecosystem news, opportunities, and networking.
The ecosystem is designed for those who want to lead innovation, drive change, and actively contribute to a blue economy. More information about ecosystem memberships here.
Our Venue 2025
Ruissalon Telakka, Turku, Finland
A'Pelago Initiative partners
Our business, Content and ecosystem Partners
