Press Release: Applications Now Open for the Nordic Region’s First Blue Economy Accelerator
Are you building a solution that restores the seas, combats marine pollution, or strengthens coastal vitality? The Nordic Blue accelerator program by A’Pelago, designed to support the most promising science-based blue economy startups with an MVP on the market, is now accepting applications for its Spring 2026 cohort.
Nordic Blue by A'Pelago
The blue economy is one of the fastest-developing fields worldwide, offering solutions that build the good state of seas for food, energy, and climate resilience. In the Nordics, rich marine resources, advanced scientific research, and strong innovation ecosystems create enormous potential. However, early-stage ventures often face barriers in scaling their impact and reaching global markets.
In Fall 2025, A’Pelago, together with its Nordic ecosystem partners, will take a bold step forward by opening applications for equity-free, hands-on business support to ventures and leadership teams driving innovation across the blue economy. The program equips teams to scale solutions across sustainable aquaculture, marine biotech, renewable ocean energy, seafood value chains, maritime technology, marine conservation, ocean tech, blue carbon initiatives, and other sectors within the blue economy.
Over the seven-month program, participants receive coaching from industry experts, curated connections, access to a powerful Nordic innovation network, and ongoing support to catalyze both commercial growth and positive sea impact. The program begins with an intensive in-person Kickoff Session, designed to lay the foundation for success. During the program, participants take part in Nordic site visits in Stockholm, Trondheim, and Copenhagen, culminating with an Investor Day at the A’Pelago Initiative 2026, 19-21st August in Finland, further connecting ventures with potential partners and investors.
Nordic Blue builds on the A’Pelago Accelerator’s proven track record in supporting innovative blue economy ventures and ecosystem. Since 2022, regional collaborations have laid the foundation for the thriving A’Pelago blue economy ecosystem, fostering growing partnerships between industry, academia, and investors. By 2025, the ecosystem expanded through cross-border event participation, connecting Finnish entrepreneurs with Nordic opportunities. In 2026, the launch of the first Nordic blue economy accelerator positions A’Pelago as a leading Nordic driver of innovation, helping to reclaim and restore the seas.
Apply now for the 2026 Spring program and join Nordic Blue to accelerate your venture’s impact and growth across the blue economy:
Nordic Blue – Key Information
What is Nordic Blue?
Nordic Blue is an equity-free, seven-month accelerator program designed for startups driving systemic change in the blue economy. The program provides teams with the tools, networks, and expertise needed to scale solutions and create global impact.
Program Highlights
Participants benefit from an intensive Kickoff Session with training on business models, pitching, and team development, tailored 1-to-1 coaching from industry experts, curated Nordic field trips in Stockholm, Trondheim, and Copenhagen, strategic business support, and full access to the A’Pelago ecosystem of 200+ individuals and 700+ organizations. Ventures also present their solutions at the A’Pelago Initiative Investor Day.
Who Can Apply?
Startups with an MVP on the market, raising Pre-seed, Seed, or Series A rounds, are eligible. The program is ideal for teams that have begun fundraising and seek structured feedback, strategy refinement, investor-readiness guidance and connections in the Nordics.
Focus Areas
Nordic Blue seeks ventures in aquatech (smart water systems, desalination, purification), marine pollution reduction (bioremediation, microplastic removal, runoff solutions), aquaculture & seafood substitutes (sustainable farming, algae-based, cultivated seafood), sea-based renewable energy (offshore wind, wave and tidal energy, floating solar), and other blue innovations, such as coastal protection and AI-driven ocean data platforms.
Why Join?
With equity-free support, participants accelerate growth while keeping full ownership. The program provides global exposure, networking with investors and policymakers, practical guidance from blue economy experts, and integration into the leading Nordic ecosystem driving marine innovation.
Program Timeline
- 20 September – 5 December 2025: Application Period
- February 2026: Kickoff Week in Finland
- March-June 2026: Coaching, field trips in Nordic countries, and ongoing support
- August 2026: Investor Day at A’Pelago Initiative, Ruissalo Shipyard, Turku
More info about the program from
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