AquaSphere Accelerator proudly concluded its 2026 programme with a highly successful Final Pitching online event on Thursday June 25 th , 2026, showcasing an exceptional cohort of startups driving innovation in the Blue Economy. The event brought together Entrepreneurs, Investors, Industry experts, Mentors, and Stakeholders to celebrate breakthrough solutions addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing water, marine and coastal ecosystems.
During the event, start-ups from across Europe delivered compelling, high-value pitches to Investors and Industry Experts. The event brought together 45 participants, 21 experts and investors, and enabled 57 targeted 1-to-1 matchmaking sessions.
Following a highly competitive pitching contest, Slow Mill Sustainable Power from the Netherlands was awarded 1st place for its innovative wave energy technology. Slow Mill’s patented plug-and-play system delivers clean and reliable wave energy in moderate seas, while also enhancing marine biodiversity through artificial reef creation.
This year’s competition featured such a strong cohort that the jury awarded a shared 2nd place to two outstanding startups.
Ocean Visuals, based in Norway, was recognised for its advanced sensor systems enabling early detection of oil, chemicals, and organic pollutants in water, significantly improving environmental monitoring and response capabilities.
SC RECYCLLUX SRL based in Malta was honoured for its deep-tech approach to marine plastic management, combining Earth Observation data, artificial intelligence, and blockchain-enabled traceability to detect marine litter hotspots and support coordinated cleanup efforts. The winners will have the chance to participate in one of the prestigious Tech Tour Events.
The AquaSphere Accelerator 2026 cohort demonstrated remarkable innovation, entrepreneurial excellence, and commitment to sustainable ocean solutions. The programme once again highlighted the growing momentum of startups developing scalable technologies to protect marine ecosystems and strengthen the Blue Economy.
AquaSphere Accelerator extends its sincere gratitude to all participating investors, startups, mentors, partners, and supporters whose contributions made this year’s programme a success.
The future of ocean innovation is promising, and AquaSphere remains committed to supporting the next generation of blue economy pioneers.
AquaSphere Accelerator Programme is part of the EU-Funded AquaSphere project under the EIT HEI Initiative