2024

Kona 21-23 Nov

Honolulu 5-7 Dec

&

In collaboration with University of Hawai‘i’s CliRAIM program, and supported by NSF Innovation Engines & NELHA, Hatch Blue invites applications for Blue Venture Builder Hawai’i 2024: a three phase, all-expenses-paid ideation and implementation programme held at HOST Park on Hawai’i Island and Entrepreneur’s Sandbox on Oahu.

Why join

  • Ideate and start implementing your own business that solves a social and economic challenge for Hawai‘i

  • Free coaching & mentoring on starting a business in one of Hawai'iʻs burgeoning blue industries

  • Establish a network within your field (studies show 60% of jobs are found through networking)

  • Gain invaluable market and industry insights

  • Meet with farms operating in on & off-shore aquaculture, blue carbon, biotechnology, marine R&D and regenerative seafood

Who

  • Aquaculture enthusiasts

  • Biologists & marine scientists

  • Engineers & technologists

  • Data scientists & AI enthusiasts

  • Designers & creatives

  • Business minds & entrepreneurs

  • Students & researchers

The application deadline for this program has now passed.

Testimonials

  • “I met lots of great people, had a great time, and the most important thing was that I got to bring lots of information and knowledge back home.”

    Iran Rivera

    AquaHack 2024 participant

  • “It was incredibly valuable to meet these people from all different fields and interact with them. I think AquaHack did a very good job of getting people in a collaborative mindset and making us feel that we bring something unique to the table. It was also a great way to learn what it takes to get started in start-ups and the importance of building a diverse team.”

    Anonymous Feedback Survey

    AquaHack 2024 participant

  • “I had an amazing time learning and meeting so many cool people! Thank you for including me in such an amazing event. I look forward to further investigating how we can facilitate sustainable blue food systems in Hawai‘i and beyond.”

    Sydney Campbell

    AquaHack 2024 participant

  • "AquaHack was a valuable opportunity to gain first hand insight and exposure to other innovators in the aquaculture industry, specifically in the state of Hawaii. The opportunity to tour existing aquaculture operations and ask topic specific questions in a guided environment was incredibly valuable to improving our business and understanding this market."

    Nicholas Ulm

    Hawaii Ocean Powered Solutions - AquaHack 2024 partipant

  • "I made numerous invaluable connections, as well as have new thoughts on my directions and goals.”

    Valerie Harmon

    Namaka Algae - AquaHack 2024 participant

FAQ Blue Venture Builder-Hawai’i

  • The Blue Venture Builder Hawaii programme is a second generation collaboration between CliRAIM (Climate Resilience Aquaculture Innovation Megahub) and Hatch Blue.

    The programme seeks individuals and teams with wide skill sets that can solve bottlenecks and problems within the sustainable blue economy. Participants will be connected with the programme's supporters, mentors, and workshop participants to brainstorm business models and create viable, sustainable, blue economy (non-profit or for profit) business solutions.

  • The ultimate objective is to connect the brightest minds to build viable, sustainable, blue economy businesses that will have an impact in the sector.

  • The application deadline is Tuesday, October 1st, 2024.

  • Phase I

    21-23 November, 2024: 3 day bootcamp

    Location: NELHA's HOST Park, Kona, HI

    Phase II

    5-7 December, 2024: 3 day bootcamp

    Location: Entrepreneur's Sandbox, Honolulu, HI

    Phase III

    3-12-month hybrid process between your location and NELHA

  • Anyone looking to create a business solution to a social and/or economic challenge that Hawai'i's ocean faces.

    ALL expertises needed:

    • students & researchers

    • business minds & entrepreneurs

    • biologists & marine scientists

    • engineers & technologists

    • data scientists & AI enthusiasts

    • designers & creatives

    • economists & sociologists

    Anyone who is studying or working towards a career in or are already in these sectors: aquaculture, agriculture, business services, construction, consumer services, education, energy utilities and waste, finance, government, healthcare services, holding companies & congress, hospitality, insurance, law firms, manufacturing, media & internet, organizations, real estate, retail, software, telecommunications and/or transportation

  • The programme is a 3 phase process beginning with Phase I on November 21st, 2024 for a 3-day bootcamp, followed by Phase II on December 5th for another three day bootcamp/workshop. These two phases are for all participants.

    The 3rd and final phase, is only for those selected to enter into the "validation" and "acceleration" period that will take place within Hatch Blue's Ocean Foundry programme over the course of a further 3-12 months.

  • All flight travel is covered and will be booked for you.

    Land transport between hotels and workshop venue will also be pre-arranged.

    Accommodation at selected hotels will be reimbursed unless you require advanced support.

    All lunch meals, snacks, and beverages will be available during workshop hours within the workshop hours. There is no per diem offered.

  • Whilst there is no equity investment during the programme, there is opportunity to meet investors within our network who may seek to invest in your company during Phase III, including Hatch Blue and other investors in the blue economy.

  • Travel to and from your nearest airport and your home.

    Your breakfast and dinner.

    Everything else is covered (flights, hotels, transport to workshops, lunch, beverages.)

  • If you attend with already existing patents or IP, there is no specific requirement for you to disclose your confidential information (including any trade secrets) or IP during the programme. However if you wish to share any information with us, the Hatch Blue team will ensure that all information is kept totally confidential and will not be shared without your written permission.

  • No. You do not need to be in or have your own business in order to apply to participate in the Blue Venture Builder. Any one person, team, or startup are encouraged to apply.

  • Yes. We require you to be there from 08:00 to 17:00 on each day during Phase I and II.

  • Yes, during Phase I and Phase II, on-site presence is required as we will run all activities on location. In our experience, connecting in-person with the cohort, Hatch Blue team and its mentors is far more rewarding and productive.

    The subsequent Phase III of the programme will take place on a remote and hybrid basis at the Ocean Foundry in HOST Park, Kailua Kona.

  • Subsequent online support sessions will continue to assess participant's progress.

  • Hatch Blue was conceived in late 2017 by co-founders Carsten Krome, Wayne Murphy, and Georg Baunach with the goal to revolutionise the way we produce seafood through investing in its technological development.

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