1-Day event ticket
Includes:
- 1-Day daytime program (19.8. or 20.8.)
- Lunch (19.8. or 20.8.)
- 1 year membership to Blue Connect Ecosystem platform
450€
(+ VAT)
Limited tickets available
2-Day event ticket
Includes:
- 2-Day daytime program
- Lunch on both event days
- 1 year membership to Blue Connect Ecosystem platform
600€
(+ VAT)
Venture Booth
Includes:
- 2x2-Day daytime program
- 2x1 year membership to Blue Connect Ecosystem platform
- 2x Lunch on both event days
- A booth at the event venue, including: standing table, Electricity outlet, WLAN connection
1̶5̶0̶0̶€
(+ VAT)
This ticket type is sold out.
Initiative Dinner
Includes:
- Archipelago Dinner
- Complimentary drink
- Dessert and coffee
- Live bands playing
- Networking
120€
(+ VAT)
Initiative Dinner is a separate event after the first event day on 19.8.2026.
Attending companies include
Program
Day 1 – 19.8.2026
From Ocean Literacy to Action
Day 1 lays the foundation for A’Pelago Initiative 2026.
Through perspectives from business, science, defence, coastal communities and the environment, we explore why the Seas and oceans matter—and how Ocean Literacy drives better decisions, innovation and collaboration.
By building a shared understanding of both challenges and opportunities, Day 1 creates a common purpose for accelerating solutions in the Blue Economy.
Arrival & Orientation
9.00
Registration, Coffee & Networking
Opening Session
10.00
Archipelago Stories
Opening Show by Turun Musiikkijuhlat
10.05
Welcome Speech
10.10
Video Greetings from Minister of Agriculture and Forestry
Ocean Literacy & Economy
10.25
Turning Awareness into Action – Business Decision-Making Powered by Ocean Literacy
10.45
The Triple Return Ocean Economy – The Next Wave of Blue Growth
11.05
Perspectives Panel – Driving the Blue Economy
How do you drive the Blue Economy?
Lunch
11.30
Lunch Area Open
Food Trucks
Deepdives 12.00-13.00 (pre-registration on Blue Connect)
@Lindblom (Main Stage)
@Flying club (Lentoklubi)
Deep Dive II: Marine Materials - From Innovation to Industry in the Baltic Sea
Deepdives 13.00-14.00 (pre-registration on Blue Connect)
@Hättästen Kulma
@Flying club (Lentoklubi)
Industry, Capital and Collaboration as Drivers of Systematic Blue Transition
14.00
Opening the Session: Industry, Capital & Enablers
Who do we need to innovate and scale ocean solutions in Finland and in the Nordics? What are the key bottlenecks?
14.05
Engineering the Blue Transition Together – Scaling Marine Bio-Based Chemicals
How brown algae are transformed into bio-based chemicals and what it takes to scale industrial impact through ecosystem collaboration.
14.25
Industry Panel: Corporate Venturing & Spin-offs
Moderator: Minna Arve
14.45
Fireside Chat: Cross-sector alliances for systems change
How can Foundations accelerate transformative action as part of the Blue Economy Innovation Ecosystems?
Change Begins with People
15.05
Keynote: Reflect & Make Change
Forward-looking perspective: leadership, responsibility and courage in transformation.
15.25
We Are the Ocean: What you gon' do about it?
What Is Your Role?
Blue Film
16.00
Bengtskärin Taistelu -esittely
Johan Storgård
16.15
Licence to Clean -trailer
Anssi Mikkola
16.30-17.15
Movie: Ocean Dreams – Stories of Hope
45-minute running time
Evening Program at Westin Hall (separate ticket purchase)
19.00
Welcome
Official A'Pelago Initiative 2026 Song
19.15
Initiative Dinner
Food, Art & Music
21.00
Band playing
Day 2 – 20.8.2026
Investor Day – From Funding Gap to Innovative Solutions
Day 2 focuses on bridging the Funding Gap between innovation and scale.
Through keynotes, panels, and a curated pitch competition, we explore how investment, industry, and collaboration can accelerate promising Blue Economy solutions from pilots to real-world impact.
Bringing together investors, corporates, startups, ports, and public actors, the day highlights opportunities in marine biomaterials, Blue Food, ocean resilience, data & technology, and maritime solutions.
Arrival & Orientation
8.30
Registration, Coffee & Networking
OPENING SESSION
9.00
Welcome to Day 2
Financing the Future of Blue Growth
9.05
Keynote: Innovations & Systems Disruptors
9.20
Panel: Balancing Return, Risk and Impact
Moderator: Kristiina Michaelsson
9.45
Launching New Initiatives
Next years activities
9.55
Launching the Pitch Challenge 2026
Pitch Challenge – Category I: Marine Biomaterials
10.00
The Marine Material Opportunity
10.10
Startups Pitching
4 Pitches
Lunch
11.00
Lunch Area Opens
Food Trucks
Porsche convoy
11.00
Deep Dives (pre-registration on Blue Connect)
11.00 @Flying Club (Lentoklubi)
11.00 @Hättästen Kulma
Deep Dive II: Identifying Real World Research Challenges in the Blue Economy
11.45 @Lindblom (Main Stage)
Deep Dive III – IPR Intelligence: Maximizing the Value of Your Intellectual Assets
11.45 @Hättästen Kulma
Deep Dive IV – The Winning Team: How Investors Assess Startup Teams Beyond the Pitch
Pitch Challenge – Category II: Blue Food & Coastal Innovation
12.45
Blue Food Waves – Our Oceans Are What You Eat
12.55
Startups Pitching
6 Pitches
Break
13.55
Networking Activities
Pitch Challenge – Category III: Ocean Tech
14.15
Taking on the Ocean Tech Need – Measuring and Mapping for Value
14.30
Startups Pitching
~6 Pitches
Pitch Challenge – Category IV: Maritime Solutions
15.30
Navigating Maritime Investments
15.40
Startups Pitching
~4 Pitches
A’Pelago Pitch Challenge Award Ceremony
16.20
Announcing the Pitch Challenge 2026 Winner
Speakers
Keynote Speakers and Panelists
Moderator & Hosts
A'Pelago Pitch Challenge 2026 categories
Our Venue 2026
Ruissalon Telakka, Turku, Finland
A'Pelago Initiative
Where Collaboration Creates Impact
Cross-Sector Collaboration
The A’Pelago Initiative brings together people shaping the future of the Sea and coastal regions, across business, investment, research, and public leadership.
We create space for cross-sector dialogue that turns ideas into action. By connecting diverse perspectives, we strengthen the Baltic Sea region’s role as a frontrunner in sustainable maritime solutions.
Meet the Ecosystem
A curated group of decision-makers, entrepreneurs, researchers, investors, and policymakers gathers annually at Ruissalon Telakka in Turku.
More than a conference, the Initiative is a focused meeting point for meaningful conversations, new partnerships, and tangible outcomes. Seats are limited to ensure high-quality interaction.
A'Pelago Initiative partners 2026
A'Pelago strategic and Nordic partners
A'Pelago business Partners
