Concept
We believe that new, innovative marine bio resources industries are emerging, changing the old maritime economies of the past into a new paradigm of a natural resources friendly blue economy. This economy will be critical to the sustainability of the oceans and seas, preserving them for the next generations and this program is a contribution to accelerate its development. We are seeking innovative projects that represent a business opportunity along the value chain of marine bioresources, including, but not limited to, biotechnology based projects.
Come and join us in Portugal to launch your solution to the world!
We are looking for applications from across the globe to join us in the mission to accelerate the transition to a global and sustainable blue bioeconomy while promoting a productive and healthy ocean.
Our Ambition
We believe the blue bio economy will have a leading role tackling some of the most critical societal challenges the planet is facing by contributing to positive impact solutions in several areas. The 2019 edition is looking for ocean-based solutions in the areas of:
Feeding a growing population & ensuring sustainable food systems
Enhancing health &
well-being
Mitigation and adaptation to climate change
Adressing resource scarcity & preserving natural ecosystems and biodiversity
Empowering a circular bioeconomy growth model
Reducing plastic production & pollution
You are welcome to present other ocean-based ideas or technologies that demonstrate positive impact on society
Meet our Winners
In the 2020 edition, Blue Bio Value accelerated 14 new startups from 8 different nationalities.
After 5 weeks of bootcamp and mentorship, Horta da Ria, REFIX and SaltyCo were declared the 3rd edition startup winners. Each startup won a prize of 15,000€ to be used through BlueBio Alliance’s Blue Demo Network.
The Blue Demo Network brings together a series of infrastructures and services in Portugal, making essential services accessible for blue tech based startups and SME's. The Blue Demo Network is another reason why Portugal is a growing hub for blue based entrepreneurs.
2020 Edition
Startups
AROMATECO
United Kingdom
AROMATECO sustainably develops bio-based flavours, fragrances and surfactant products for the food industry. Their product is as an alternative to fossil fuel and/or tropical plants currently being used in the conventional market.
ARTIREEF
Portugal
ARTIREEF creates a sustainable alternative to the live rock currently being used in aquariums by developing a new material from oyster culture waste from the Aveiro Ria in Portugal. The artificial rock is a substitute to extracting natural rock, decreasing threats to natural reefs.
GRAPHENE WATER TECHNOLOGIES LTD
United Kingdom
GRAPHENE WATER TECHNOLOGIES LTD provides innovative technology to make
desalination more efficient, extracting valuable crystals from seawater and
increasing water recovery. Their technology protects marine ecosystems by
reducing the waste from desalination processes, while generating value with
its transformation into valuable products.
HORTA DA RIA
Portugal
HORTA DA RIA produces Salicornia as a healthy and sustainable alternative
to salt. They sustainably harvest fresh Salicornia, bringing new life to the salt
marshes of the Aveiro Ria and manufacturing several different products for
food consumption.
INNOVTRIALS
Portugal
INNOVTRIALS improves aquaculture products quality by providing fish nutrition
consulting to new products for marine fish and laboratory analysis, ensuring the
delivery of robust results on aquaculture feed. They are specialists in
developing feed that reduces infections and disease within fish.
PINKTECH
Portugal
PINKTECH explores the potential for the use of carotenoid-rich bacteria as a food supplement for aquaculture fishes and other organisms. Their product helps reduce waste and mass production of other ingredients used for fish food, while conserving space, energy and resources, enhancing the final product in terms of colour (as in salmon), fertility, survival, and health.
R€NEW
France
R€NEW provides an innovative solution to help reverse the global crisis of biological waste and environmental pollution. They recycle marine biomass like by-catch and by-products that is commonly wasted and transform it into economically, socially, and environmentally valuable products that can be used as ingredients for feed and food.
REDROSE DEVELOPMENTS LTD
Ireland
REDROSE DEVELOPMENTS LTD cultivates a range of seaweed by combining traditional and innovative methods that support local communities. Their approach involves processing smaller amounts of seaweed and getting more out of the material stock to reduce waste, drive efficiency and achieve the maximum value from each plant.
REEFY
Netherlands
REEFY develops underwater modular infrastructures that act as artificial reefs, helping to restore ecosystems and offering natural habitat to native species. Their designs are customizable and made from local or recycled sediments.
REFIX
Spain
REFIX is a refreshing innovation in recovery drinks, made with seawater from the Atlantic Ocean. The drink has a nice salty taste and contains zero sugar, preservatives or colouring. Their product is specifically beneficial for diabetics.
SALTY CO
United Kingdom
SALTY CO is a freshwater-free textile company that uses the most abundant water supply on the planet: seawater. Their textiles are made from salt-tolerant plants whose fibres are used to manufacture a variety of natural textile products, conserving one of the planet’s greatest natural resources, fresh drinking water.
SPIRA
USA
SPIRA develops natural dyes, offering a sustainable alternative to petroleum and animal compounds for food, cosmetic and textile companies, based on algae. It uses a global network of farming partners to scale in response to the overwhelming demand for natural colours and plant-proteins.
SPIREAT
Italy
SPIREAT produces Spirulina all year round through a zero-waste circular economic model. Currently a leader in soilless food production, Spireat develops Spirulina as a sustainable protein source for food applications, while also contributing to carbon sequestration.
SUSTAINABLE NOW TECHNOLOGIES
USA
SUSTAINABLE NOW TECHNOLOGIES develops an innovative carbon capture system using algae to convert carbon into biomass. Its systems are designed to run on renewable energy and can be implemented anywhere on Earth.