A Global Community of Ecosystem Leaders
Enabling Islands to Develop an Effective Blue Economy Startup Ecosystem
Blue Economy definition: "Sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of oceans’ ecosystems. A economy that "comprises a range of economic sectors and related policies that together determine whether the use of ocean resources is sustainable. The UN notes that the Blue Economy will aid in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, of which one goal, 14, is "Life Below Water".
Why boosting innovation and startup ecosystems is important for island nations?
Boosting the startup ecosystem on an island can stimulate economic development, foster innovation, and create a vibrant entrepreneurial culture. By leveraging the island's unique characteristics and resources, startups can find a supportive environment to grow, while the island itself benefits from economic diversification, increased visibility, and the potential for long-term sustainability.
Beneficiary Regions: Macaronesia & Mediterranean
- Azores
- Madeira
- Cape Verde
- Canary islands
- Balearic islands
- Malta
- Cyprus
- Sicily
The overall objective of the project is to provide an impactful contribution to develop an effective Blue Economy innovation ecosystem across the beneficiary islands.
The specific objectives of the project are to accelerate minimum 5 Blue Economy startups (Project Component 1), to inform policy makers on how to develop an effective Blue Economy innovation ecosystem (Project Component 2).
Component 1: Acceleration of Islands-Based Startups
To select, onboard, coach and scale up minimum 5 Blue Economy startups, give them the possibility to pilot their solutions (MVP), make them ready to pitch to equity investors and bring their solutions to the market.
Component 2: Blue Economy Ecosystem Development from Policy to Practice
To conduct a mapping and evaluation exercise of a number of relevant ecosystems that already undertook effective developments within the Blue Economy realm. Analyse the selected ecosystems, their policy making practices, adopted strategies and measures, state of play. Provide a complete report, including best practice and recommendations for effective Blue Economy policy development, together with a presentation to deliver to relevant government agencies and policy makers from the target beneficiary islands.
Learn more
Sign up for the Free Webinar:
Our Experts
Alessandro Silvestri
Managing Partner at MALTAccelerate, 20+ years experience in supporting startups and innovation ecosystems development between the UK, Europe and Balkans.
Thomas Kösters
10+ years experience in startup ecosystems from Germany to Estonia. Invested in >20 startups, coached >100 ecosystem builders.
Harald Eisenhauer
Sustainability expert with focus on public-private partnerships and regional experiences in Europe, Africa and Latin America.
Kata Magyar
Director of Innovation Programs & Events at Island Innovation, selection coordination, mentor at the INPUT Program.
Mariano Guzzetta
Innovation and Emerging Technologies Manager at EY Italy, a former startupper and passionate about open innovation and blue economy.
James Ellsmoor
Social entrepreneur with a key focus on renewable energy and sustainable development for remote, rural and island communities. Founder of Island Innovation (consulting agency), co-founder of Solar Head of State (NGO) and a regular contributor for Forbes.
I feel empowered by the tools I have learnt here, because they allow me to set up new goals and find a way to actually achieve them.
____ Lisa Spöck, Standort Tirol, Innsbruck, Austria
DEEP Ecosystems skyrocketed me to a whole new level of understanding in a 3-week program.
____ Alexis Pospekhov, Latvian Startup Ecosystem Builder
I needed this reflection time to think about why we are doing things and how we are thinking we can achieve our goals as ecosystem builders. This workshop was incredibly helpful .
____ Estefania Escobar, InsurLab, Cologne, Germany
The Heatmap Team is just amazing. We were thrilled by all the effort they are putting in the report.
____ Diane, Balderton Capital
Further Offers
Ecosystem Health Check
Science-based methodology to analyse the ecosystem you are operating in and defining system-wide KPIs to monitor or impact its performance.
- Scientifically-based Ecosystem Health Check with 8 metrics covering the startup community, the entrepreneurship support network, social capital as well as governance.
- Balanced analysis of quantitative and qualitative assessments
- Benchmark analysis with interantional peers
- Development of recommendations for improvement
Ecosystem Reports
The fastest way to produce a strong publication on your startup scene. Use the ready-made survey, methodology, benchmark data and templates to create a stunning report on your ecosystem report.
- Established methodology to get hassle-free analytics in a short time
- >8 years of historical data in European benchmark cities
- Get data on the most important indicators and compare against London, Berlin or regional champions
- Flexible report templates to produce great looking publications
- Expandable design to include further data points from your own research
Ecosystem Hack
Develop a strong vision for your ecosystem and bring onboard all your stakeholders in this 3-week program with international ecosystem experts.
- Vision development based on data-driven analysis
- Interactive workshop to map out opportunities in defined future fields
- Ecosystem Project Canvas to guide project ideation and first feasibility check
- International experts, serial entrepreneurs, unicorn investors or changemakers as sparring partners
DEEP Startup Ecosystem Accelerator (DEEPSEA)
We are investing in new eocsystem projects via our DEEPSEA program. We provide growth support and funding opportunities to founder communities who are ambitious and bold.
- Structured support in the conceptualization, partnership strategy and fundraising strategy
- Data-driven insights and best practices from successful startup hubs
- Access to world-wide network of innovation professionals
- Support in the visibility of your program and attraction of startups and investors
- Funding opportunities from private and public side
DEEP Ecosystem Conference
Bring the DEEP's global community of influential ecosystem leaders to your city and invite your local actors to initiate moonshot collaborations for exponential growth.
- Host the DEEP Ecosystems Conference in your city & brainstorm project ideas
- Define challenges & publish a call for the most promising project ideas
- Offer a multi-week support in form of the DEEP Startup Ecosystem Accelerator in the setup of new innovation projects in all stages from incubation to scale-up phase
- Access to international partnerships & connection to world-renown entrepreneurs
- Fundraising strategy development & scouting of matching funding opportunities
Innovation Scouting
Our venture experts have over 10 years of scouting experience, working with innovation units of global corporates as well as VC firms. We are happy to design a tailor-made scouting strategy and execute a search for just the right startups relevant to your technology and innovation goals.
- A clear scouting strategy aligned with your goals.
- Defined search profile based on geography, stage, revenue sums, and team composition.
- Access to network of local startup experts across Europe.
- Longlist with potential matches.
- Detailed company profiles of shortlisted companies based on research and interviews.
- Warm introduction where there is mutual interest.
GET OUR FREE REPORT
THE STARTUP HEATMAP EUROPE 2023
Are you exploring ecosystems and innovation trends? Browse the Startup Heatmap Europe report to get up to speed.