Swedish Executive Master’s Students Explore Portugal’s Blue Economy with Us

At May 21st 2025, we had the pleasure of spending a vibrant and insightful half-day with a group of about 25 Swedish executives from the Executive Master’s Program at the University of Stockholm. As part of their visit to Portugal, we accompanied them on an engaging journey through some of the country’s emerging innovations in the blue economy.

After their morning program at the Nova SBE business school, we joined them at the Education Centre in Torres Vedras, where the local municipality welcomed us warmly.

Diving into the Blue Economy

Susanne Wedin-Schildt from Ocean Community kicked off the session with a presentation about the concept of the blue economy — a term that is gaining increasing relevance in Europe and beyond. She spoke passionately about why our ocean matters, the growing threats it faces, and how Ocean Community is working to safeguard its future. Drawing on insights from the 2024 EU Blue Invest Report by PwC, she highlighted opportunities and challenges for innovation across the sector.

The Swedish participants were highly engaged, sparking a lively discussion that touched on sustainability, policy, and entrepreneurship. One interesting thread compared Portugal’s current standing in blue economy innovation with other European countries, with a consensus that, while progress is being made, there is still significant catching up to do.

Aquaponics: A Circular Future for Food

João Cotter presenting Aquaponics Iberia

Next, João Cotter captivated the audience with a presentation on aquaponics — a sustainable method of food production that combines aquaculture with hydroponics. João introduced his company, Aquaponics Iberia, sharing the story behind its founding, the business model, and their journey to becoming one of the region’s most promising startups. The talk served as a strong example of how innovation and sustainability can work hand-in-hand.

A Visit to Peniche

In the afternoon, we headed to Peniche for a site visit at Seaentia, an aquaculture startup specialising in science-based sustainable aquaculture. We learned about their future plans, which fish species they use and why, and how their closed-loop system is working.

Visit at Seaentia in Peniche

The group had the chance to see the facility up close, ask technical questions, and learn more about how the company is carving out its niche in the market.

We wrapped up the day with a relaxed dinner at a beachfront restaurant in Peniche, sharing stories, good food, and plenty of laughter. By 11 p.m., we arrived back in Lisbon — though for some of the group, the evening was just getting started, as they set off to explore the nightlife of Bairro Alto.

Looking Ahead

Accompanying the University of Stockholm's executive master’s cohort was a fantastic opportunity to exchange ideas, showcase Portugal’s blue economy ecosystem, and build bridges between our communities. We’re grateful for their enthusiasm, curiosity, and great company throughout the day, and we look forward to future collaborations across borders.