The AspBAN Project's acceleration program for startups aims to develop innovative solutions that can effectively respond to the needs, challenges and innovation priorities of the Ports of the Atlantic. Commissioner Elisa Ferreira highlighted the role of the Project, co-financed by the European Union under the European Maritime Fund and Fisheries, for their contribution to the implementation of the Action Plan for the Atlantic 2.0.

The Acceleration Services will consist of weekly workshops on topics related to Product-Market fit, collaborating within the Blue Economy, Metrics, Implementing & Scaling, etc. These will be complemented by mentoring sessions with experts. Every two months a pitch session will be hosted, where start-ups will be pitching to investors, ports, and other relevant stakeholders in the ever growing AspBAN network.

This programme is focused on strengthening innovation in the European blue economy, with a clear focus on sustainability. Therefore, it will be open for start-ups that are both able and willing to implement their sustainable solutions in AspBAN’s focus countries (Portugal, Spain, France, Ireland). Also, start-ups should have at least a prototype ready and be ready to raise money.

“The Acceleration Services programme is a deep dive into the European Innovation ecosystem of Atlantic Blue Ports! It will involve sharing specific knowledge while connecting the participating start-ups to relevant investors, like-minded people, and mentors to accelerate their businesses. Also, it will allow start-ups to connect with other start-ups, scale-ups, SMEs in an universe of Atlantic blue ports”, explains Ana Pinela, project coordinator for Beta-i Collaborative Innovation. “We’re searching for innovative start-ups, whose cutting-edge solutions may contribute to boosting digitalisation and improve operational efficiency, green transition and positive impact on achieving sustainability metrics, and for the emergence of new businesses for the Ports in the blue economy area. AspBAN aims at kicking off a dynamic start-up acceleration ecosystem where EU Atlantic ports will work as blue economy hubs”, Ana said.

The Acceleration Services Program is free of charge and start-ups may apply until the 15th of October 2021. For further details have a look at: https://aspban.eu/project2021/

About AspBAN (https://aspban.eu/)
The Atlantic Smart Ports Blue Acceleration Network (AspBAN) is a Consortium of 13 full partners, coordinated by Beta-i Collaborative Innovation, that has been awarded funding by the European Union’ European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF). Focused on developing a dynamic acceleration platform, AspBAN helps EU Atlantic ports work as blue economy hubs.

Ports are one of the primary interfaces with the ocean, which means they will play a strategic role as launchpads for a new generation of blue companies. By becoming the main playground for the development of new blue businesses, EU Atlantic Ports can diversify their business models and revenue sources and work towards a sustainable ocean economy.

AspBAN has the high support of the UN Secretary General Special Envoy for the Ocean, Ambassador Peter Thomson; of the Minister of State, Economy and Digital Transition of the Portuguese Government, Pedro Siza Vieira; and of a large and representative pool of 137 strategic partners and a total universe of 391 ports, from EU Atlantic, Norway, USA, Canada, Colombia, Morocco, Mauritania, India and China.