Accelerator Program


Accelerate Your Blue Economy Venture with AquaSphere

The AquaSphere Accelerator is now open for applications! If you’re an ambitious startup or scale-up creating innovative solutions for maritime challenges, water sustainability, or coastal resilience — this is your moment to scale.

Why Join AquaSphere?

The ocean holds vast untapped potential for sustainable innovation. AquaSphere is your gateway to transforming breakthrough ideas into investment-ready ventures.

As part of a pan-European initiative funded by the EIT Higher Education Initiative, the AquaSphere Accelerator offers a fully-funded, 8-week virtual program designed to help start-ups operating in the blue economy validate technologies, access new markets, and raise capital. The programme will support 8 SMEs.

  • What you gain:
    • Tailored mentoring from maritime and water-tech experts
    • Technical validation and feedback to refine your solution
    • Strong investor readiness and exposure to Investors/Innovators ecosystems
    • Strategic connections across the blue economy and academia

Who Should Apply?

  • We’re looking for startups and scale-ups innovating in:
    • Maritime and ocean technology
    • Sustainable aquaculture and fisheries
    • Water and wastewater management
    • Ocean renewable energy
    • Coastal protection and resilience
    • And many more blue economy solutions in related fields
  • Whether you’re:
    • A technical founder with a maritime engineering breakthrough,
    • A team solving a critical industry challenge, or
    • A researcher with commercial ambitions — and If you’re committed to scaling your impact across Europe and beyond…

…Then we want to hear from you!

Eligibility Criteria

  • You should apply if:
    • Your company is based in an EU member state or Horizon Europe associated country
    • You’re at the pre-seed, seed, or Series A stage (see Open Call Guide PDF for details)
    • You plan to raise investment within the next 18–24 months
    • You have a vision for market impact and a drive to scale

What You’ll Experience

The AquaSphere Accelerator is Europe’s premier investment-readiness platform for blue economy ventures — bridging education, research, and entrepreneurship.

  • Growth Strategy Workshops
  • Technical Validation Sessions
  • Business Development & Pitch Training
  • Roundtables, Mentoring, and Networking Events

All delivered virtually to fit around your schedule—without compromising on intensity or results.

Important Dates

  • Application Deadline: 30 September 2025
  • Selected Ventures Announcement: 10 October 2025
  • Accelerator Dates: 15 October – 15 December 2025

Are you ready to raise investment and scale your impact on the blue economy?

Apply now: Application Link
Read the full AquaSphere for Open Call Accelerator Guide: Open Call Guide pdf
Questions? Contact us at  info@aquasphereproject.eu

Join the next wave of maritime innovators shaping a sustainable future.
Apply to AquaSphere today.

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