Women In Ocean Food Innovation Studio
Hatch Blue portfolio companies women-led
innovation studios hosted to date
in total funding raised
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 program in Bali, with a focus on women led businesses in East & Southeast Asia. And in January 2024, we held our 3rd programme in Baja California Sur, Mexico.
We are placing a special focus on fostering the women-led innovation ecosystem within Latin America & the Caribbean over the long term, with plans to expand the offering to Sub-Saharan Africa.
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.
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.
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.
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).
Join the program to receive
Investor-readiness analysis and advice conducted by our fund managers.
Mentor sessions with industry leaders and personalized discussion opportunities.
Exposure to our global network of investors, industry representatives, farmers, and first adopters built over the last decade.
Access to both cold AND warm water testing.
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Our core offering
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Investment
We invest across the following sectors
Contact Us
For questions about current program please contact our team
FAQs
Application deadline is Friday 29 November 2024.
06-16 January, 2025
Innovation Studios are held full-time Mon-Fri 9-5:30 over a two week period.
The 2025 programme will be based in La Paz, B.C.S, Mexico.
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 Blue and Conservation International Ventures.
All travel accommodation and food costs will be covered for two people per team, for the duration of the programme.
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 programme.
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 Blue 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 Blue 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 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.
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.
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 Blue team compared to the accelerator. Companies in the accelerator programme benefit from more rigorous development and resources from the Hatch Blue team over 4-18 months depending on their business stage.