presents the Venture Challenge

Applications for Accelerator are open

Finland's Top Blue Economy Accelerator unveils:
the Venture Challenge

A'Pelago is expanding its Accelerator Program selection to offer greater value and flexibility for advanced blue economy ventures. Leveraging the comprehensive expertise from working with blue economy startups, initiatives and boarder global A'Pelago ecosystem, we unveil the Venture Challenge. It seamlessly combines advisory with network visibility to support sea positive, scalable and science based blue economy startups, innovators and initiatives in finding new strategic partnerships and investors.

The A'Pelago Venture Challenge will offer the most innovative blue economy startups bespoke visibility at the annual event A'Pelago Initiative as Accelerator Venture Challenge Track participants are eligible to compete of the A'Pelago Pitch Prize.

This is your moment to connect with industry, angel investors, VCs, corporates, and grant providers.

Join the Challenge to receive

2 ticket to the next A'Pelago Initiative and a Venture Booth at event with other Accelerator track participants.

A Pitch Slot at the next A'Pelago Pitch Prize rankings with investor feedback to your venture.

+ Ranked Pitch Price Finalists gain a Pitch Slot at the A'Pelago Initiative Startup and Investor Day, competing for the shared Pitch Prize.

Two 1-to-1 Advisory Sessions for your blue economy venture or initiative with the A'Pelago team.

We are in looking for solution in the following sectors

Scaling a regenerative blue economy business is a busy job. We have build a hybrid Venture Challenge which flexibly supports you in finding new strategic partners and investors.

The Venture Challenge kicks off with 1-2 virtual advisory sessions with senior specialist and the Program team during the spring on individually negotiated time. After this, you'll prepare to build up a venture booth to A'Pelago Initiative 2025 and pitch at the Pitch Prize Rankings.

The ranking winners gain a finalist position in the Venture Challenge. Finalists gain a pitch slot at A'Pelago Initiative Startup and investor day and compete for the shared Pitch Prize.

2025 Dates

  • April-May - 1-2 individual remote advisory sessions
  • 6th June Venture Track Pitch Prize Semifinals
  • Aug 21st A'Pelago Initiative - Startup and Investor Day - Startup Booth and/or Pitch

The Participation Fee

A’Pelago does not invest itself in ventures, nor does it require shares of the companies. Instead we ask for a Participation Fee.  The fee is 3,000 € (+VAT), including the attendance to Venture Challenge: 1-2 1-to-1 advisory sessions, 2 tickets to A’Pelago Initiative 2025, right to set a startup booth to A'Pelago Initiative 2025, networking possibilities and 2 one year Activist memberships to A'Pelago Blue Connect platform.

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

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

Questions about the Accelerator Programs?
Alina Sippolainen: alina@apelago.fi

What's ahead?

2x 1-to-1 advisory sessions

Startup Patch to A'Pelago Initiative 2025

Startup booth and visibility at A’Pelago Initiative -event

Networking

Option to attend to the A'Pelago Pitch Prize Competition

Who is eligible to apply?

Your startup or idea has a direct impact to the sea addressing climate change, pollution or overexploitation.

Your startup or idea is science-based scalable product or service

Startups or ideas at any level are welcome to apply

We are already an advanced blue economy venture - 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 are the testimonials selected?

Submissions shortlisted in the first stage of review will be asked questions with technical information concerning the criteria below: Business performance, Innovations and potential for disruption, Impact, Team.

Does the Accelerator take any equity?

A’Pelago does not take equity or invest itself in ventures. Instead we ask for a Participation Fee.  The fee is 3,000 € (+VAT), including the attendance to Venture Challenge: 1-2 1-to-1 advisory sessions, 2 tickets to A’Pelago Initiative 2025, right to set a startup booth to A'Pelago Initiative 2025, right to attend to A'Pelago Pitch Prize competiton, networking possibilities and 2x 1 year Activist memberships to A'Pelago Blue Connect platform (launching in early 2025)

Additional notes

If you have any additional questions, let us know bravely at info@apelago.fi.

Apply now

The A'Pelago Accelerator is built in partnership with

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