Mentoring as a driver of innovation

The Blue Bio Clusters project's mentoring program has become a powerful tool for boosting startups in the blue bioeconomy. Through tailored matching between companies and experienced industry experts, the program has produced concrete results - in terms of business development, technology development and long-term collaborations. 

In 2024, the Blue Bio Clusters project organized three regional Blue Bio Bootcamps with the aim of supporting and developing startups and SMEs in the blue bioeconomy. Bootcamp participants not only had the chance to discuss challenges with experts and other entrepreneurs, but also the opportunity to move on to an exclusive mentoring program. 

From insight to action 

After the bootcamp series, selected companies were offered a funded mentorship. Thanks to strong collaboration with regional partners, mentors were matched with companies based on their specific needs. In Sweden, Innovatum Science Park led the matching effort. 

- "This program has given our companies both concrete support and new perspectives. The mentors have been invaluable in helping to identify opportunities and supporting the companies in their development," says Sonja Andrén, Innovation Manager at Innovatum Science Park and Blue Bio Cluster's Swedish project representative. 

Companies have not only been helped with business strategies and technical challenges, but have also made important contacts both in Sweden and the EU for the future.  

Matching in focus 

The mentoring program ran between October 2024 and March 2025 and was based on a close connection to the Blue Bio Match platform, which facilitates match-making, networking and collaboration between actors in the blue bioeconomy. The platform plays a key role in creating relevant connections - not only between mentors and mentees, but also to potential investors and partners. 

- I'm passionate about both customized match-making and the fact that mentors actually get paid - you can tell that both parties are wholeheartedly involved. It makes a big difference for the companies, they get concrete help to take on their challenges and move forward. For blue startups and small businesses, it can really give a boost in the right direction," says Sonja Andrén. 

In total, more than 30 start-ups and SMEs from across the EU participated in the mentoring program. Five of these were Swedish companies that received special support from dedicated mentors.

Swedish startups and mentors

CMAR - SeaMe (Christian Magnusson) is an innovation that helps fishermen locate and recover lost fishing gear, preventing ghost fishing and protecting marine ecosystems. Mentor: Johan Hägerman, HFWC AB

Anna Hörling Form - developing "Oyster Terrazzo", a new type of terrazzo where traditional crushed stone is replaced with shells from the invasive Japanese oyster Cassostrea Gigas. Mentor: Hans Alveros, Brainspot Innovation

Gralg AB (Emmy Hjelm) produces microalgae in purification plants that are dried and offered to agriculture as a climate-positive and ecological fertilizer Mentor: Jan Karlsen, Researcher and microalgae expert

Algalume (Carlo Andrea Periti, and Maxim Leander Dechange) developing a home air purifier based on microalgae Mentor: Jan Karlsen, Scientist and microalgae expert

Håva (Matilda Olstorpe) grows and sells fresh giant shrimp (Vannamei) of sashimi quality in a land-based, marine farming system that is circular and free of antibiotics and chemicals. Mentor: Karl Sjöblom, Eicorn

Successful results

On April 9, 2025, all participants, mentors, investors and actors in the sector gathered in a joint Blue Bio Transnational Bootcamp. It was an opportunity to manifest the results, listen to stories from companies and mentors and discuss opportunities ahead. This is what some of the participants said:

• "We wanted an expert who not only understands business development, but also the technical aspects of our idea. Our mentor helped us create a completely new business plan to face future challenges."
  - Jonas Zolobaila, Aquaqlt, Lithuania 
• "The mentorship has helped us to understand what is required - both practically and legally - to recycle residual flows and transform them into products."
  - Nicholas La Valle, Clean Valley, Peniche Portugal & Nova Scotia Canada 
• "It was important for me to get in touch with someone who could show me how to run a company and develop both business and product."
  - Anna Hörling, Anna Hörling Form Sweden 
• "It was interesting to see that not only the meat, but also the oyster shells could be used for a commercial product. But in the blue sector there are often complex circumstances around product development that require patience and long-term development. "
  - Hans Alveros, mentor to Anna Hörling Sweden 
• "We did a workshop to visualize our positioning and make it easier for customers to understand our offer."
  - Anna Costa, Seaentia Portugal 
• "Researchers sometimes need support in becoming more market-driven. That's where we come in and can make a difference. It's also good to meet in the environment where the company is. We did a workshop on the beach, which provided a creative setting"
  - Pedro Pires, Loyal Ecosystem, mentor Seaentia Netherlands 
• "The biggest problem is rarely the technology - but understanding how to reach the market. Through our mentor, we were helped to think strategically about financing and business plan."
  - Charles Dimiaux, Roots Norway  

A model for the future 

The experience of the Blue Bio Bootcamps and the mentoring program clearly shows that the model has worked to accelerate innovation, strengthen business development and build a sustainable blue bio-economy in Europe. 

- To continue creating these kinds of success stories, we need more committed mentors. They really make a difference and can contribute to positive development for real," says Sonja Andrén.