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For founders, startups, and partners advancing ocean-positive innovation
Build with Ocean Community
Our Vision
A united community transforming ideas into solutions protecting the ocean, supporting coastal communities and boosting the sustainable blue economy.
Our Mission
We provide a platform for ocean advocates to connect, learn, and take action, while empowering innovators and entrepreneurs to develop and scale ocean-friendly solutions.
Blue Business Builders are the backbone of Ocean Community
Ocean Community brings together the people and organisations helping move ocean-positive solutions forward from early-stage founders and startups to companies, mentors, investors, institutions and strategic ecosystem partners.
We call this community of action Blue Business Builders: the builders, guides, backers and enablers working together to strengthen the global blue innovation ecosystem.
As recognised Business Associates under our bylaws, Blue Business Builders gain visibility within Ocean Community’s international network, access selected learning, innovation and market opportunities, engage with our programmes and initiatives, and contribute to shaping our ocean innovation agenda.
Founders & Startups
Ventures and early-stage teams building ocean-positive solutions.
Partners
Companies, mentors, experts, investors, universities, R&D centres and ecosystem organisations engaging with ocean innovation.
Anchor Partners
Large companies, institutions, funders and strategic organisations taking a visible leadership role in accelerating Ocean Community’s mission, programmes and ecosystem development.
Why join?
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Show leadership by aligning with ocean-positive innovation and sustainable blue economy transformation.
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Gain visibility within Ocean Community’s international network across 54 countries.
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Access opportunities through events, programmes, funding calls, innovation challenges and partner activities.
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Connect and collaborate with other ecosystem actors.
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Explore blue transformation across value- and supply chains, from blue materials, blue food and water management to marine biotechnology, renewable energy and regenerative ocean solutions.
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Support our mission enabling Ocean Community to remain independent while expanding global learning- and innovation pathways and ecosystem opportunities.
Blue Business Builder Core Benefits
Gain visibility through a profile and/or logo presence within the Ocean Community ecosystem
Connect with our international network of founders, startups, companies, experts, mentors, investors, universities, R&D centres, clusters and ocean-focused organisations
Participate in selected events and activities organised or promoted by Ocean Community
Co-arrange events, meet-ups or knowledge sessions with Ocean Community where there is a clear fit
Receive updates and insights on ocean health, blue economy trends, innovation opportunities, funding calls and emerging bluetech solutions
Access relevant ecosystem connections across Ocean Community’s international partner network
Explore collaboration opportunities with founders, startups, experts, partners and strategic organisations
Share relevant news, opportunities and milestones through selected Ocean Community channels
Contribute to Ocean Community’s innovation agenda by helping shape priorities, themes and future activities
Support Ocean Community’s mission to build inclusive pathways for ocean learning, innovation and action across 54 countries
Blue Business Builder Pathways + Specific Benefits
Founders & Startups
Founders, startups and early-stage teams building ocean-positive solutions.
Annual Partnership Development Session to identify concrete activities, projects or opportunities that can support venture readiness, partnership development, visibility, funding pathways or new Ocean Community initiatives
Structured follow-up through quarterly progress meetings, with additional check-ins where a specific initiative, project or collaboration requires closer support
Founder and solution visibility through Ocean Community channels, showcases and selected ecosystem communications
Access to founder-focused learning including readiness sessions, masterclasses and innovation activities
Opportunities to present your solution to relevant mentors, experts, partners and ecosystem actors
Support in identifying relevant funding calls, innovation programmes and blue economy opportunities
Pathway access to Ocean Community Innovation Programs such as the Ocean Community Challenge, Blue Readiness Journey, Blue Path 2 Impact and Blue Lab2Market, based on venture stage, readiness and strategic fit
Access to tailored founder support including mentoring, innovation readiness, partnership development and market-fit guidance where relevant
Opportunities to share milestones, needs and collaboration interests through selected Ocean Community channels
Connection to potential guides, backers and enablers where there is a clear strategic fit
Partners
Companies, mentors, investors, universities and organizations that want to support or accelerate ocean innovation.
Engage with founders and startups developing emerging ocean-positive and blue economy solutions
Access curated innovation and collaboration opportunities aligned with your organisation’s interests, expertise or strategic priorities
Contribute as a Guide, Backer or Enabler through mentoring, expert input, funding perspectives, market access, ecosystem support or thematic collaboration
Present organisational challenges, opportunities or innovation needs that could inspire founder engagement, student projects, expert input or future Ocean Community initiatives
Communicate internships, projects and collaboration opportunities to attract skilled ocean innovators and future blue economy talent
Participate in or co-create selected events, seminars, meet-ups, roundtables and knowledge sessions
Access selected knowledge, training and innovation support services delivered by Ocean Community and trusted best-practice partners
Explore blue transformation opportunities across supply chains, value chains, sectors and emerging ocean-positive solutions
Connect with relevant international entities, clusters, universities, R&D centres and ecosystem partners through Ocean Community’s network
Identify potential funding, partnership and programme opportunities relevant to your business, organisation or innovation agenda
Anchor Partnerships
Anchor Partnerships are tailored for organizations that want to take on a strategic role in advancing ocean-positive innovation, ecosystem development and blue economy transformation.
Unlike standard partnerships, these partnerships are anchored in a specific area of mutual interest and value, such as an innovation challenge, programme, event, category, educational activity, regional initiative or ecosystem.
Challenge Partnership - supporting initiatives such as the Baltic Sea Challenge
Programme Partnership - engaging with Blue Readiness Journey, Blue Path 2 Impact or Blue Lab2Market
Category Partnership - leading around themes such as Blue Food, Blue Materials, Water Management, Blue Renewable Energy or Marine Biotechnology
Education Partnership - co-creating field trips, learning journeys or executive education initiatives
Event Partnership - supporting meet-ups, roundtables, showcases or thought-leadership events
Ecosystem Partnership - strengthening regional chapters, founder pathways or international collaborations
annual business associate fees
Associate fees advance our community platform and programs, extend our global reach and fuel the innovation necessary to cultivate and accelerate ocean-friendly solutions.
Start-Up
€120
<10 employees or less than 5 years of activity
Small & University
€250
10-50 employees
Medium
€500
Large
>250 employees
€1000
Anchor Partner
Lead partner for a designated innovation category, program or event
Tailored
Blue Business Builders (Associate) Application
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