06.11.2024
Innovations that solve problems in sea regions are the focus of A’Pelago and Business Turku
Press Release: For immediate release on November 6, 2024, 8:00 EEST
ABOA ADVEST IS A SHAREHOLDER IN A’PELAGO EXPERIENCE
A’Pelago and Business Turku are starting a collaboration around the business accelerator Blue Accelerator, which will start up in January 2025. The Accelerator’s target group are actors who work to promote the sustainable development of marine nature or to use its resources in a regenerative way. Within the framework of the programme, running over 5 months, support is offered to create growth, access to international and domestic networks and sparring about business ideas in the regenerative Blue economy.
A’Pelago’s Blue Accelerator focuses on innovations in sustainable development and solutions to sea region problems. The Accelerator is primarily intended for universities, start-up and spin-off companies and companies operating in the Blue economy. During the programme, one will, among other things, validate business ideas, build brand, find suitable sources of financing, learn service design and productisation.
The second season of the Accelerarator programme is a continuation of the successful pilot year. In 2025, Business Turku, whose strategic focus includes the Blue economy, is also involved as a partner. Other strategic partners from 2024 are LokalTapiola Sydkusten, the City of Pargas and Åbo Akademi University.
“We are all aware of the sad state of the Archipelago Sea and the Baltic Sea. To improve their condition, quick measures and innovative solutions are needed, which at the same time can also constitute profitable business operations. The collaboration with A’Pelago supports Business Turku’s core task, to speed up the growth of sustainable business operations and offer new contacts to both partners and investors. For our part, we will identify and guide potential companies to A’Pelago’s programme, whose strong international network also forms a good springboard from the Baltic Sea into the world. It is worth pointing out that the market for the Blue economy in Europe alone amounts to more than 620 billion euros”, notes Tom Palenius, CEO of Business Turku.
“Blue economy is a very interesting and growing industry, which together with the region’s other marine industry can create a unique combination. The archipelago and the Archipelago Sea are a unique whole and at the same time a laboratory for the world’s oceans, because it is so shallow that it is also the most polluted. It supports the emergence of innovations with the potential to be scaled up elsewhere. It’s nice that Business Turku can help stimulate this”, says Minna Arve, Mayor of the City of Turku.
A’Pelago Blue Accelerator is a unique programme, also internationally
“We focus entirely on Blue economy, we are science-based and we are part of the international Ocean Community network. In other words, our A’Pelago Accelerator opens the doors to the world and international investors. We are looking for business ideas that can be scaled up to the international market. In the Accelerator’s first season, representatives of the Blue economy participated in everything from fish farming and technology for seabed research to regenerative marine biomass and processed products”, says Patrik Anckar, A’Pelago’s co-founder and partner.
The Blue Accelerator program culminates in August in the A’Pelago Initiative event, when, among other things, the participants’ ideas are presented to Finnish and international investors, venture capital funds and other actors in the industry.
A’Pelago, which began operations in 2022, aims to support the creation of profitable business operations in the blue economy. Blue economy is defined as business activity that can be directly or indirectly linked to the oceans, and which takes into account the use of marine natural resources and at the same time promotes sustainable development in the ocean regions. A’Pelago Accelerator collaborates with the top research profiles Biodiful at Turku University and Centre of Sustainable Ocean Science at Åbo Akademi University.
Business Turku Oy is the joint non-profit development company based in Turku, which offers support services in growth, development and internationalization to companies in the Turku economic region. We collaborate closely regionally, nationally and internationally with all vital actors. Our operations are guided by the vision of a Turku and a Turku region as the best place for companies to be founded, grow and develop.
For further information please contact:
Timo Ketonen
Partner & Co-founder, A’Pelago
+358 400 831 205
Patrik Anckar
Partner & Co-founder, A’Pelago
+358 50 408 7730
Tom Palenius
CEO, Business Turku
+358 40 550 1126
Minna Arve
Mayor, City of Turku
Minna.arve@turku.fi
A’Pelago Accelerator’s Second Program Kicks Off – Applications Now Open for Blue Economy Business Ideas
ABOA ADVEST IS A SHAREHOLDER IN A’PELAGO EXPERIENCE
The A’Pelago Accelerator offers a unique opportunity for business ideas within the regenerative blue economy to grow and scale. Following the success of its pilot year, A’Pelago is now looking for new participants for the year 2025 who contribute to the sustainable development of marine areas.
The A’Pelago Accelerator provides coaching and networking opportunities for companies, spin-offs, and startups. Anyone with a business idea for developing marine areas, in fields such as biomaterials, fisheries, agriculture, or marine technology, is encouraged to apply. In its first year, ten companies participated in the A’Pelago Accelerator.
“A’Pelago Accelerator collaborates with leading research profiles from the University of Turku’s Biodiful and Åbo Akademi’s Center of Sustainable Ocean Science, both of which I have supported through private donations,” says Timo Ketonen, founder of A’Pelago.
Founded in 2022, A’Pelago aims to foster profitable and regenerative businesses in the blue economy sector. “The blue economy refers to business activities that are directly or indirectly linked to the sea, taking into account the use of marine resources while supporting the sustainable development of marine environments,” explains Patrik Anckar, co-founder of A’Pelago. Application for the program are now open at A’Pelago Accelerator website.
A’Pelago Grows and Evolves
As of October 1st, event industry professional and partnership developer Sini Toivonen has joined A’Pelago’s team. Toivonen has extensive experience organizing events for both large and small companies and will be responsible for developing the A’Pelago Initiative. The event brings annually together various stakeholders to share knowledge and experiences on topics related to the blue economy. In 2025, A’Pelago will once again host both the Winter Camp and the A’Pelago Initiative event in late summer, gathering blue economy influencers, experts and investors.
“I am thrilled to take on the development of the A’Pelago Initiative and its partnerships! A’Pelago’s mission is close to my heart having grown up by the sea in the scenic landscapes of Kustavi. I hope my children will enjoy a vibrant sea in the future, just as I have,” says Toivonen, who was also a co-founder and producer of the SHIFT Business Festival.
In addition to the Accelerator and events, new operations are also being introduced, such as the A’Pelago Blue Connect platform, which will be launched later this year. The aim is to create an online platform that connects blue economy players, entrepreneurs, investors and experts, enabling networking and fostering innovation around this important topic.
For further information and contact details:
Alina Sippolainen
Accelerator Lead & Communications
+358 50 917 7170
alina@apelago.fi
Patrik Anckar
Co-founder
+358 50 408 7730
patrik@apelago.fi
Sini Toivonen
Event Producer & Business Partners
+358 40 679 2626
sini@apelago.fi
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15.08.2024
Participants in the first A’Pelago Accelerator program
Aboa Advest is a shareholder in A’Pelago Experience
A’Pelago Experience, a privately owned Archipelago Sea boosting new business initiatives, has together with its business partners advanced its first Accelerator Program during the spring. The program will culminate in pitching at the A’Pelago Initiative 2024, 16th August.
A’Pelago aims to foster business initiatives with a positive direct or indirect impact on the Finnish Archipelago Sea Region. It arranges annual business accelerator programs and business forums focusing on solving challenges facing our oceans.
The 1st Accelerator Program has offered participating startups business validation and ecosystem. The A’Pelago team and its industry expert partners have helped the participants with business models, branding, go-to-market plans, and growth financing.
The participants in the first Accelerator represent diverse business concepts
ranging from industrial solutions to services, from design to sea-based traveling, and from impact monitoring to sea observation. They can be found in more detail here and comprise:
- Aila
- Environmental Impacts Academy
- eTogether Nordic
- Fish Farm 4.0
- Niinmun
- OliOil.io
- Space of Mind
- Subdrone
- Nexamass
‘Business solutions with a positive impact for the Archipelago Sea Region and oceans at large are needed now more than ever. It has been a delight to work with our first Accelerator Program companies. We have made progress in networking within the Accelerator ecosystem, and in upskilling and fostering technologies, solutions and business models that promote sustainable entrepreneurship in and for the archipelago area,” says Patrik Anckar, co-founder of A’Pelago.
The belief that the an Archipelago Sea specific accelerator can provide a broader solution to the biggest ocean challenges of our time has been shared by the A´Pelago Accelerator’s partner organizations: City of Pargas, Åbo Akademi University, LähiTapiola Etelärannikko, Municipality of Kemiönsaari, City of Naantali, Turun Osuuskauppa, Veritas, PBI Foundation, and Lukander Ruohola HTO.
Alina Sippolainen, producer and consultant at A’Pelago, adds: “Attracting more founders and capital to businesses, from various sectors, with a purpose to protect the archipelago sea is crucial. to support and drive innovation across sectors. Our first accelerator program has allowed startup teams to benefit from the A’Pelago ecosystem resources, from industry experts and coaches to our A’Pelago team. This has helped our participants to better reach their full potential to achieve impact and to drive new business opportunities. During the program pilot, we as the A’Pelago ecosystem have learnt a lot.’’
‘’With our second Accelerator program, kicking off in early 2025, we will continue creating optimal conditions, environments, and spaces to work with Archipelago Sea oriented talent and to develop creative, socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable archipelago solutions. Next, the A’Pelago Accelerator will produce a pitching day at the Initiative on August 16th. Thereafter, we will start screening high-potential archipelago impact businesses to join us for the second Accelerator.”
To learn more, please explore A’PELAGO ACCELERATOR, and Accelerator Startups Page or contact Patrik Anckar via patrik@apelago.fi.
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