Press Release: A’Pelago Launches the First Rotating Nordic Blue Economy Accelerator Program
Nordic Blue, Christine Spiten, Danske Growth
The Nordic Blue Accelerator program for 2026 has officially launched.
Monday, 19 January marked an exciting milestone as A’Pelago unveiled the 2026 Nordic Blue Accelerator with an online kickoff event together with the selected cohort candidates. Nordic Blue by A’Pelago, the first rotating Nordic Blue Economy accelerator for early-stage startups, serves as a bridge to Nordic markets, supporting product-market fit and creating vital customer and investor connections.
This year, Nordic Blue received applications from twelve countries and four continents, demonstrating strong international interest in scalable and impactful Blue Economy solutions. During the selection process, 160 companies were reviewed.
The idea for Nordic Blue was born during A’Pelago Initiative 2025, where participants highlighted the need for a truly Nordic accelerator dedicated to the Blue Economy. In just five months, the concept was developed into a full-scale program, demonstrating the strong momentum within the ecosystem. Now launched, Nordic Blue brings together 21 promising teams from across the Nordic countries who will participate in four intensive bootcamps before presenting their progress at the Pitch Challenge during A’Pelago Initiative 2026 – the biggest and boldest Blue Economy event in the Baltic Sea region.
The 2026 event is expected to attract a record number of international Blue Economy investors, further strengthening the program’s role as a gateway to funding and growth.
“I am pleased to announce that the program will include a compelling group of Blue Economy solutions across areas such as ocean data, aquatech, aquaculture and seafood alternatives, sea-based renewable energy, and other sectors where we see both strong growth potential and positive impact on ocean health in the coming years,” says Alina Sippolainen, Accelerator Lead and Blue Economy advisor at A’Pelago.
The 2026 Nordic Blue cohort includes promising innovators such as Your Devocean (Stockholm, Sweden), building an audit-grade platform that turns verified ocean impact data
into scalable tools for ESG and capital allocation to sea positive solutions; TuniSea (Trondheim, Norway), developing climate-friendly marine-based protein ingredients from tunicate biomass for sustainable food systems; and WESI Solutions (Helsinki, Finland), using AI-driven technology to optimize and automate aquaculture for more efficient and environmentally responsible fish farming. All startups participating in the program will be announced in early February.
During the program, participants embark on an intensive development journey, beginning with an online kickoff and personal goal-setting, followed by four in-person bootcamps across the Nordics, focused on product–market fit, impact, business modeling, funding, storytelling, branding, and team and board development. The bootcamps are hosted in Turku, Finland; Stockholm, Sweden; Trondheim, Norway; and Copenhagen, Denmark. Participants also receive one-to-one coaching with industry experts, curated matchmaking with investors and corporate partners and full access to A’Pelago’s ecosystem.
The accelerator is delivered in collaboration with 30 partners across the Nordic region. Tommi Lähde, Founder of the other danish guy and Nordic Blue program partner, highlights the program’s dual impact - both on revenue and on the good state of the sea regions:
“For us, the link to the Blue Economy starts with materials. We use ECONYL® yarn regenerated from discarded fishing nets and other nylon waste, but true sustainability goes far beyond recycled fibres. Real impact comes from the systems behind the scenes: how garments are designed to last, how fit ensures products are actually worn, how production partners are carefully selected and challenged, and how processes are simplified rather than shifting complexity to nature. Supporting Nordic Blue allows us to contribute to a more responsible Blue Economy that actively supports sea regeneration.”
The A´Pelago Accelerator programs have been developed in cooperation with Strategic Partners like Business Turku, City of Pargas, Lähi-Tapiola, Åbo Akademi and Elomatic.
The program will culminate at A’Pelago Initiative 2026, held on 19–20 August 2026 in Turku, Finland, where participating startups will pitch their solutions on stage to an international audience of investors, entrepreneurs, partners, researchers, and policymakers. As the startups begin their Nordic Blue journey, the coming months will showcase their growth and impact. Each participating company will be introduced in detail in the weeks ahead, sharing inspiring stories and innovative solutions from across the Blue Economy.
About A’Pelago A’Pelago is the leading Blue Economy ecosystem in the Baltic Sea Region. Its activities are structured around three core areas: ecosystem development, accelerator programs and the ecosystems annual flagship event A’Pelago Initiative. Initiative 2026, 19-20th August Early Bird tickets are available now at www.apelago.fi.
For more information please contact:
Matilda Gustafsson, Marketing and Communications matilda@apelago.fi | +358 300259603
Alina Sippolainen, Accelerator Lead, Blue Economy and Ecosystem Advisor alina@apelago.fi | +358 50 9177170 C0704m0909
Pitch Challenge jury
Pitch Challenge 2025
