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European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency
News article4 February 2021

BlueInvest Day connects over 1000 ocean stakeholders

The 2021 online edition of the BlueInvest day on 26 January brought together over 1000 companies, investors and stakeholders for a sustainable blue economy

2.BlueInvest Day 2021

The 2021 online edition of the BlueInvest day on 26 January brought together over 1000 companies, investors and stakeholders for a sustainable blue economy. 

The 2021 edition of the BlueInvest Day had one main objective: To generate concrete business deals and visibility for blue economy investment opportunities. And successfully did so by attracting over 1300 stakeholders!
The virtual event kicked off with the announcement by the European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevičius of a EUR 45 million financing by the BlueInvest Fund of two investment funds that will support start-ups developing innovative products, materials, and services that can contribute to enhance ocean conservation and the sustainability of the blue economy. This was followed by a panel including CEO of the European Investment Fund Alain Godard and four BlueInvest Fund managers outlining their vision for a blue investment landscape. A ‘Game Changers’ panel then discussed new partnership models to boost investment in the sustainable blue economy. The Director General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Charlina Vitcheva then symbolically opened the deal floor for deal making between investor and company participants. Then followed the BlueInvest Awards pitch battles between SMEs.

The pitch categories and winners were:

  • Energy from the ocean – Eolink floating wind turbine solution
  • Green shipping solutions – CLIIN robotic ship cleaning solution
  • Sustainable food and feed from the ocean – Investalga bioactive compounds from seaweed
  • Healthy oceans and resilient coasts – Reefy artificial reefs
  • People’s choice – EcoWave Power wave energy array

Overall, the event brought together over 1300 innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, corporates and enablers in the Blue Economy from over 70 countries. Around 1600 connections among attendees were made. An accompanying virtual exhibition included 29 exhibitors and over 140 meetings were requested. 

Details

Publication date
4 February 2021