it’s a journey.
we’re your guide.

if you are:

  • a talented entrepreneur or innovator seeking opportunities in the industry

  • pre-incorporation project teams seeking support, mentorship and networking opportunities

  • startup/scaleup

  • a later-stage company seeking to increase market & industry access

then this is for you.

proof-of-concept required, ideally minimum viable product already developed.

hatch innovation studios are free for all accepted participants, but there is a competitive application process. please be mindful of a specific programme’s deadlines and fundamentals found in their faq.

the innovation studios & venture builders are here to stay

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Singapore 2024

Together with Idemitsu, Hatch Blue is launching the Blue Carbon Innovation Studio, a first-of-its-kind innovation programme for early stage projects and companies with blue carbon technologies to develop their businesses further.

Blue carbon is the carbon stored in coastal and marine ecosystems such as mangroves, tidal marshes and seagrasses. Large quantities of carbon are sequestered in the plants and sediment in these ecosystems. Over 95% of the carbon in seagrass meadows is stored in the soils. Globally, 83% of the carbon in the world is circulated through the oceans. Though accounting for less than 2% of total ocean area, nearly half of carbon sequestered in ocean sediments are in coastal habitats.

An estimated 0.15-1.02 billion tons of carbon dioxide is released annually from degraded blue carbon ecosystems, equivalent to 19% of emissions from global tropical deforestation. Aside from carbon, coastal ecosystems also support water quality, healthy fisheries, and protect the coastline from inclement weather. 

With the importance of blue carbon to the climate crisis, technological solutions are key to expedite the development of protection, monitoring, and expansion of such projects. 

This programme will increase network-building and knowledge sharing to innovators in this field. It will also be a unique forum for multi-stakeholder interaction, featuring government agencies, climate-tech investors, NGOs, institutes of higher learning, financial institutions, and corporations. Each stakeholder will share their perspectives and validate emerging solutions against market realities. Moreover, the Innovation Studio will also be a platform for them to attract more stakeholders to develop the blue carbon space further.

Application deadline: 30 August 2024

Geographical focus: Global. Solutions deployable in Japan, Southeast Asia, and the greater Asia-Pacific region including the West Coast of the USA

FAQ Blue Carbon

  • The application deadline is Friday 30 Aug, 2024; 5pm gmt.

  • The two-week Blue Carbon Innovation Studio runs from Nov 11th to 22nd, 2024.

  • Two weeks, full-time, 9-5:30pm, Mon-Fri.

  • Singapore. The Hive North Bridge Road, Level 9 Lounge.

  • There is no equity investment in the Blue Carbon Innovation Studio, however there is an opportunity to connect with Hatch Blueʻs investment team and other relevant investors within our network.

  • Funding support per team for all flight travel (up to €1000), accommodation (€150/night), and a per diem (€50/day). Should any team decide to send more than one participant per team, the additional cost of travel & accommodation will be borne by them.

  • The Innovation Studio is more appropriate for a range of earlier stage projects and also scale-ups seeking new markets and networking opportunities. Such projects require further business development and more in-depth knowledge on the regional and global Blue Carbon industry.

    The content of the sessions will be tailored for earlier stage projects that are seeking ways to either enter the blue carbon market from adjacent industries or commercialize technology beyond research institutes and institutes of higher learning.

    The Innovation Studio takes place over a shorter duration - 2 weeks and thus there is less contact time with the Hatch Blue team compared to the Crest accelerator.

    In the accelerator we invest via a SAFE note.

  • There is no specific requirement for you to disclose your confidential information (including any trade secrets) or IP during the program. However if you do 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.

  • Yes, you do need to be a registered entity upon application.

  • Yes, you are still eligible. Hatch Blue is unique as it is the world's leading aquaculture-focused accelerator, and can offer both business support and/or sector expertise depending on the startup's needs.

  • One participant at minimum.

  • Yes, full time attendance Monday to Friday is mandatory.

  • Yes, November 22nd will be the Blue Carbon Pitch Day.

  • If you are ready to take your business to the next step and we believe in your potential, Hatch Blue will continue to play a hands-on role assisting participants to navigate fundraising, business propositions, and, most important of all, finding customers.

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

  • Idemitsu International Asia (IIA), an affiliate of Idemitsu Kosan, manages the energy trading business of the parent group with specialization in oil trading, bunkering, freight & hedging strategies, and energy transition products. As such it plays an integral role in the global petroleum business of Idemitsu group, the second largest refiner in Japan.

  • As Idemitsu works towards achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, its commitment extends beyond reducing CO2 emissions. Idemitsu recognizes the importance of developing technologies and initiatives that actively remove carbon from the atmosphere, achieving negative emissions. To this end, Idemitsu is focusing on blue carbon as a novel carbon absorption solution.

In partnership with:

Cork 2024

With Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), the Irish Seafood Development Agency, Hatch Blue is coming back to Ireland in 2024 to repeat its successful 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 Aquatech Innovation Studio format! This year we will also welcome applications from across Europe to partake and join in the development of Ireland’s growing Aquatech innovation community.

Ireland

The BIM Aquatech Innovation Studio will take place at the River Lee Hotel in Cork, Ireland, 30 September - 11 October 2024. Follow our social media communications to receive further updates about the Aquatech program including upcoming application process and program details.

We seek to develop early-stage technology concepts & ideas from Ireland and Europe to enable participants to turn their projects into startups. Participating in this workshop will assist participants with the commercial development of their business, technology validation and investor readiness as they seek to grow and scale their business into a sustainable and profitable aquaculture company.

From venture capital and business management to deep insight into the aquaculture sector, we will make sure you are off to a great start in the industry.

Application deadline: 19 July 2024

Geographical focus: Ireland and European Union countries

FAQ Ireland

  • Application deadline for the BIM Aquatech Innovation Studio is 19 July, 2024; 5pm gmt.

  • This two-week innovation studio kicks off 30 September, 2024.

  • Two weeks, full-time, 9-5:30pm, Mon-Fri.

  • the River Lee Hotel, Cork, https://www.doylecollection.com/hotels/the-river-lee-hotel

  • There is no equity investment in the Blue Carbon Innovation Studio, however there is an opportunity to connect with Hatch Blueʻs investment team and other relevant investors within our network.

  • travel expenses are not covered

  • The Innovation Studio is more appropriate for a range of earlier stage projects that are not yet looking for an equity investment. Such projects require further business and product development and more in-depth knowledge on the regional and global aquaculture industry.

    The content of the sessions will be tailored for earlier stage projects that are seeking ways to either enter aquaculture or alternative seafood from adjacent industries or commercialize technology beyond research institutes and institutes of higher learning.

    The innovation studio takes place over a shorter duration - 2 weeks and thus there is less contact time with the Hatch Blue team compared to the CREST accelerator.

  • There is no specific requirement for you to disclose your confidential information (including any trade secrets) or IP during the program. However if you do 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.

  • You do not need to have a registered entity upon application but we hope that you intend and are ready to do so by the end of the program.

  • Yes, you are still eligible. Hatch Blue is unique as it is the world's leading aquaculture-focused accelerator, and can offer both business support and/or sector expertise depending on the startup's needs.

  • One but ideally two co-founders.

  • Yes, full time attendance Monday to Friday is mandatory.

  • Yes, 11th October will include an international Aquatech stakeholder event.

  • If you are ready to take your business to the next step and we believe in your potential, Hatch Blue will continue to play a hands-on role assisting participants to navigate fundraising, business propositions, and, most important of all, finding customers.

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

Supported by:

La Paz, Mexico 2024

3.3 Billion people rely on seafood for protein, and when women are engaged in ocean food production, output increases by 10-20%. However, only 4% of CEOs in top seafood companies are women (WSI 2021).

Together with Conservation International Ventures, we launched the world’s first global Women in Aquaculture Innovation Studio in 2021 to bridge this gender gap. In November 2022 we delivered an in-person programme in Bali, with a focus on women led businesses in East & Southeast Asia.

January 2024, we will hold our 3rd programme in Baja California Sur, Mexico. By focusing on women entrepreneurs and diverse leadership teams, we aim to develop more successful and innovative companies in ocean foods. you will be part of a cohort of female leaders and diverse teams whose goals are to build a sustainable ocean economy.

The Women In Ocean Food Innovation Studio is an equity-free programme for you to develop your project’s commercial scalability, technological readiness, and industry fit.

You will have the opportunity to connect with a global network of aquaculture industry experts to validate your ideas, to understand key market insights, and learn to pitch to investors and customers.

We are placing a special focus on teams from Latin America for the 2024 programme.

In partnership with conservation international we plan to expand our geographic focus to include a Sub-Saharan Africa focused programme in the future.

Please note: this programme is for women and gender-diverse leadership teams only. All travel, accommodation and food costs will be covered by the programme for those successful applications (x2 per team).

FAQ Women In Ocean Food

  • application deadline is Friday, 24th of November, 2023

  • 15-26 January, 2024

    location: Baja, Mexico

  • our 2024 programme will be based in Baja, Mexico.

  • programmes are held full-time Mon-Fri 9-5:30 over a two week period.

  • all travel accommodation and food costs will be covered for two people per team, for the duration of the programme.

  • 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, including HATCH and Conservation International Ventures.

  • the Innovation Studio is more appropriate for a range of earlier stage projects that are not yet looking for an equity investment. such projects require further business and product development and more in-depth knowledge on the regional and global aquaculture industry.

    the content of the sessions will be tailored for earlier stage projects that are seeking ways to either enter aquaculture or alternative seafood from adjacent industries or commercialize technology beyond research institutes and institutes of higher learning.

    the innovation studio takes place over a shorter duration of two weeks and thus there is less contact time with the HATCH team compared to the accelerator. companies in the accelerator program benefit from more rigorous development and resources from the HATCH team over 3.5 months.

  • there is no specific requirement for you to disclose your confidential information (including any trade secrets) or IP during the program. however if you do wish to share any information with us, the HATCH team will ensure that all information is kept totally confidential and will not be shared without your written permission.

  • you do not need to have a registered entity upon application but we expect that you are ready to do so by the end of the program.

  • yes, you are still eligible.

  • one but ideally two co-founders.

  • yes, on-site presence is required as we will run all activities in one location. in our experience, physically connecting with the cohort, Hatch team and its mentors is far more rewarding and productive.

  • if you are ready to take your business to the next step and we see you as a suitable investment opportunity, at that time, we may seek to invest. HATCH and Conservation International Ventures will however continue to play a hands-on role assisting participants to navigate fundraising, business propositions, and, most important of all, finding customers.

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

Blue Venture Builder AFRICA

Cape Town 2024

Building a regional, interconnected, and gender-diverse Blue Technology Community.

Digital entrepreneurship is the driver of digital change in Africa. Entrepreneurs have the potential to modernize the economies and societies of their countries.

They possess the skills to create new perspectives, find innovative solutions and develop new employment opportunities. Nevertheless, many young technology startups from Sub-Saharan Africa are still unable to make the leap to international market maturity. There is a lack of access to capital, customers, suitable personnel, and digital infrastructure. To be successful, entrepreneurs need a functioning "innovation ecosystem” consisting of reference customers, investors, funding agencies and training partners.

Hatch and Ocean Hub Africa with the support of Deutsch Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) are partnering to build a regional and interconnected blue tech community with a gender lens. The Blue Venture Builder AFRICA program looks to support the creation of a sustainable ecosystem around Blue Tech with inclusivity in Southern Africa.

  • The deadline to apply is 29 March, 2024.

  • Program kicks off 1 May, 2024 in Cape Town, South Africa.

FAQ Blue Venture Builder

  • the Blue Venture Builder is a first generation collaboration between Ocean Hub Africa, GIZ and HATCH. the programme seeks individuals and teams with a skillset that can solve specific bottlenecks and problems within the sustainable blue economy. through an initial 10 day bootcamp, participants will be connected with the programme’s supporters, mentors, and workshop participants to brainstorm business models and ideally, create viable, sustainable, blue economy business solutions.

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

  • application deadline is Friday, 29th of March, 2024.

  • Phase I

    1st - 10th May, 2024: 10 day bootcamp

    location: Cape Town, South Africa

    Phase II & III

    5-month remote and hybrid process

  • our 2024 Blue Venture Builder will be located in Cape Town, South Africa.

  • this programme is a 3 phase process beginning with phase I on 1st May, 2024 for a 10-day bootcamp. phases II & III consist of a “validation” and “acceleration” period that will take place over the course of a further 5 months.

  • all flight travel (up to €1000) accommodation (100 euro/night) and a per diem (30 euro) will be covered for each selected participant.

  • 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, including HATCH and other investors in the blue economy.

  • 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 program. however if you do wish to share any information with us, the HATCH team will ensure that all information is kept totally confidential and will not be shared without your written permission.

  • you do not need to have a registered company to apply for this programme. however, we expect all participants to have the objective of setting up a company during the course of the programme and will evaluate applicants on this accordingly.

  • on a case-by-case basis, we will consider a maximum of four participants per team.

  • yes, during the initial 10-day bootcamp beginning on 1st May, on-site presence is required as we will run all activities in one location. in our experience, physically connecting with the cohort, HATCH team and its mentors is far more rewarding and productive.

    the subsequent phase II & III of the programme will take place remote and hybrid.

  • subsequent online support sessions will continue to assess participant’ progress.

  • HATCH 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