Applications have opened for the fourth Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) Aquatech Innovation Studio programme, due to take place in Kerry and Dublin with a site visit to Bergen in Norway later this year.
The Innovation Studio, delivered by aquaculture accelerator Hatch and supported by the European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund, is an equity-free programme to develop commercial scalability, technological readiness and industry for projects to improve sustainability of aquaculture.
The 37 start-ups that have been through the programme in the past four years now employ 160 people and have raised €13m to date, with participants having gone on to fund businesses in seaweed, genetics and specialist technology for meat and seafood processors.
This year's in-person programme has a new format, with participants spending two to three days a week over the course of July in Kerry and Dublin before the site visit to Bergen later in the year.
There are 10 available places on the programme, which is open to start-ups, tech innovators and academics who are keen to commercialise research and are focused on developing their business in Ireland or targeting the Irish aquaculture market. The closing date is 10 June.
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Richard Donnelly, innovation and development manager at BIM, said that Ireland is one of the global leaders in the aquatech development sector.
“Contingents from other countries have made site trips here to see the work and innovation that is going on. But more importantly, Ireland is also exporting this expertise and knowledge, with several spin-out companies and outposts in other parts of the world," he continued.
"This programme, which we run with Hatch, is a fantastic way for someone with an interest in the area - or an idea they want to test – to come on board and learn a huge amount.”
Wayne Murphy, co-founder and managing partner at Hatch, said that participation in the 2022 Innovation Studio would be a fantastic way to trial an aquatech business idea or see if it can be brought to fruition:
“As well as a chance to meet and learn from aquaculture industry experts, potential investors and business development gurus, participants will have the opportunity to travel to Bergen to visit other initiatives, expand their international networks and experience life in one of largest aquaculture ecosystems in the world," he added.
Photo: Jennifer O'Brien, founder of Plantruption a green food tech company, focused on plant-based seafood/protein alternatives, with a mission to be the most sustainable company in Ireland and carbon neutral. (Pic: Andres Poveda)
