A'Pelago logo

The next generation
of the blue economy
is being built in Helsinki.

Helsinki Blue Economy Studio — A focused accelerator programme for growth-stage blue economy startups. A matchmaking engine between companies and established players. Part of A'Pelago's Nordic -wide ecosystem.

Spring 2027, Helsinki

Apply to the programme

Please send your application to the programme before 30.11.2026

apply now

2,500+

ecosystem members, from 20+ countries

€50M+

blue finance catalyzed

100+

blue economy growth companies supported

The Helsinki Blue Economy Studio is designed to accelerate and anchor the next generation of blue economy companies in Helsinki

Run by A'Pelago in Helsinki, the 6-month Studio brings together founders, investors, and industry leaders from Finland and the wider world to turn early-stage blue economy solutions into scalable businesses.

Participants receive

- a structured growth programme with founder sessions and hands-on growth tools

- exposure to investors and partners

- support validating, piloting and growting solutions in Helsinki

The programme runs from applications through sessions to a closing Demo Day, where growth companies meet the ecosystem's investors — equity-free, with three company-specific coaching sessions along the way.

We're seeking all growth teams building blue economy solutions, ideally with an MVP already in the market, ready to grow and commit to the programme in Helsinki.

Supporting the next generation of blue economy innovation — an accelerator programme in Helsinki, spring 2027.

→A focused blue economy programme — not a generic accelerator

→A matchmaking engine between startups and established players

→Built to create value for both sides

→Part of A'Pelago's Baltic-wide ecosystem

Programme Structure — spring 2027, Helsinki

01 Applications & interviews

NOW – 30TH NOVEMBER 2026

Application period open. Screening and a pre-programme info webinar for all applicants ahead of selection.

02 Sessions

FEBRUARY – APRIL 2027

Session 0 - Get to wk 6, Helsinki

Session 1 - February

Session 2 - March

Bootcamp 3 - April

Themes include Solution Pressure Test, Impact & Market Fit, Business Model, Funding Plan, Team, and Industry Visits.

03 Demo Day

AUGUST 2027

The programme's closing event, where growth companies meet the ecosystem's investors.

HeLSINKI Blue ECONOMY Studio's homebase

Helsinki Market — a city of 300 islands doesn’t just talk about the blue economy, it funds it and gives startups direct access to the local partners and wider EU market

#1 Growing blue economy ecosystem in the Sea surrounded city in the Happiest contry in the world

All Helsinki Homes max 10km from the sea, ranked #1 happies contry in the world 7 years in a row, #1 sustainable city destination in the world by the GDS-Index (2024 & 2025) and #1 for air quality and Helsinki’s 85% emissions-reduction target by 2030 is already driving clear demand for blue economy ventures.

#2 A proven track record of scaling pioneering startups

Europe’s #2 most innovative region, with 3%+ of GDP invested in R&D and over 70 Forbes Global 2000 companies based here — the same ecosystem that grew ICEYE, Nokia, Rovio, Slush and Supercell.

#3 A marine cluster at the city’s core, not its edge

Ports, marine research institutions, and blue economy expertise are concentrated in one city and wider Finnish coastline— the dense Finland’s marine expertise, with industry, science, and startups working side by side.

#4 The density of a real startup ecosystem

40% of Finnish startups are based in Helsinki, consistently ranked a top-10 European startup hub, backed by a talent pool where over half hold a university degree.

Programme Partners

This programme is co-organised with Business Helsinki and local partners

Programme Strategic Partner

Ecosystem Strategic Partners supporting the programme

Contact us

For questions about the current programme please contact our team:

Alina Sippolainen

Innovation & Investor Engagement

alina@apelago.fi

Sini Toivonen

Partnerships

sini@apelago.fi

Matilda Gustafsson

Marketing & Communications,
Program Coordinator

matilda@apelago.fi

Contact us

FAQs

When is the application deadline?

The applications period ends 30th November.

What participating startups get?

01 A structured 5-month growth programme

02 Investor meetings and funding opportunities

03 Support validating and piloting your solution in Helsinki

04 Founder sessions and tools for growth

05 Access to an online learning platform

06 Nordic and global visibility, plus an alumni network

Who can apply?

Any blue economy growth company. We're looking for bold, early-stage teams building solutions for the blue economy who are ready to commit to the programme in Helsinki. Apply if your company

✓Is a pre-seed, seed, or early-stage team

✓Is building a solution for the blue economy

✓Ideally already has an MVP in the market

✓Is ready to grow and commit to the programme in Helsinki

When does the program start?

The program starts wk6, 2026 in Helsinki.

Do I need to be present onsite during all Program Bootcamps and Sitevisits?

Yes, on-site presence in all bootcamps is preferred. In our experience, physically connecting with the cohort, A'Pelago team and its mentors is far more rewarding and productive. Sitevisits are optional.

If you are unable to attend all sessions, please indicate this after you have been selected for the program, so we can discuss the best possible way for you to participate.

What is the minimum number of participants per team?

One to two founders or business development responsibles.

Which countries can apply and attend?

We are receiving applications from all around the world, but the program bootcamps take place in Helsinki, Finland and require on-site participation.

How much investment does my company receive?

A'Pelago does not make direct investments in companies, and there is no equity investment included in the program. However, there is a valuable opportunity to meet investors within our ecosystem who may be interested in investing in your company, whom you may meet during the program and at the Investor Day.

Do I need to be a registered company to apply?

You do not need to have a registered entity upon application but we expect that you are ready to do so by the end of the program.

We are already an advanced blue economy venture that has been through accelerator program - are we still eligible to participate?

Yes, you are still eligible. A'Pelago is unique as it is one of Finland's only blue economy accelerators that can offer both business support and/or networks to suit the venture's needs.

How will my trade secretes and IP be dealt with ?

There is no specific requirement for you to disclose your confidential information (including any trade secrets) or IP during your attendance. However, if you do wish to share any information with us, A'Pelago and all founding or organizing teams will ensure that all information is kept totally confidential and will not be shared without your written permission.

I represent a potential program partner organisation. Why join as a programme partner?

Access to the programme's dealflow: Direct visibility into the most promising blue economy growth companies and solutions.

Visibility in the ecosystem: A role in building Helsinki's and Finland's blue economy ecosystem — across the Nordics and internationally.

Piloting opportunities: Direct access to growth-stage startups and their solutions.

A voice in shaping the programme: The chance to influence programme content, coaching, and the Investor Day agenda.

What is the best way to get more information?

Be brave and reach out to us at alina@apelago.fi. We are looking forward to hear from you.

What our previous participants say about us

The A’Pelago accelerator was the perfect launchpad for entering the Finnish market and connecting with marine conservation networks, investors, public-sector actors, and other key partners. The program helped me refine my business model for Europe — and gave me new ideas and friendships that continue to move the journey forward. I’m now building a Baltic Sea pilot with partners I met through A’Pelago.

Sari Tolvanen, CEO & Founder, Ocean Eye

During the collaboration, OliOil developed a business plan and ultimately built an MVP — a prototype that enabled us to verify the functionality of the propulsion system.

Simultaneously we initiated the patenting process and worked closely with A’Pelago, the 1000 Ocean Startups Programme and Åbo Akademi. We are extremely pleased with all of this and will continue this work as part of our company’s growth journey.

- Laura Lepistö, Director of Services & Business Development, OliOil Oy

Helsinki Blue Economy Studio 2027 — Cohort 1 applications open

Ready to build the future of the blue economy with us?

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