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
More >
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.
More >
08.07.2024
A’Pelago Initiative 2024 brings together influencers to promote the vitality of archipelagos and marine areas
ABOA ADVEST IS A SHAREHOLDER IN A’PELAGO EXPERIENCE
A’PELAGO PRESS RELEASE
KASNÄS, August 15-16 – The A’Pelago Initiative is a business forum held in the archipelago, bringing together business leaders, researchers, innovators, and archipelago entrepreneurs to discuss opportunities for developing commercial solutions that enhance the vitality of archipelagos and marine areas. The event is sold out.
The state of the Archipelago Sea and the world’s oceans is a matter of widespread concern. Rapid growth in actions positively affecting marine areas is essential. Publicly funded measures alone are not sufficient to restore and maintain the condition of the area. Business actions developed in close collaboration with researchers are needed.
The A’Pelago Initiative arose from the need to intensify the dialogue among actors impacting the vitality of the archipelago and to increase and scale commercial solutions that affect the region’s vitality. “We have brought together top experts and innovators to jointly promote new solutions, entrepreneurship, and funding. These are necessary for the development of commercial marine climate solutions in the Archipelago Sea area,” says Timo Ketonen, co-founder of A’Pelago.
The A’Pelago Initiative is a forum for everyone who wants to promote the social, environmental, and economic sustainable development of the Archipelago Sea area through business activities. The event’s theme is “Reclaim the Sea – Rethink Business.” The program includes expert talks, panel discussions, and pitches from companies in the A’Pelago Accelerator business development program.
“Worldwide, there is keen interest in the development of Finnish innovations and commercial actors impacting the sustainable development of marine areas and the broader climate. Over the past five years, the blue economy has been one of the fastest-growing sectors for private financing globally,” says Alina Sippolainen, producer of A’Pelago. “We are excited that the Initiative provides a place to share knowledge and ideas about commercial means to improve the condition of marine areas.”
A’Pelago is a privately-owned company dedicated to supporting and promoting business initiatives that enhance the vitality of archipelagos and marine areas. In line with its purpose, A’Pelago Initiative brings together stakeholders affecting the condition of the Archipelago Sea in Kasnäs on August 15-16. The event is sold out. Registration for the waiting list or as a media representative is open.
A’Pelago Initiative 2024 in Numbers
- For the second time in August, the A’Pelago Initiative is establishing its position as the leading business forum in the archipelago.
- The event brings over 120 participants to the archipelago, including more than 15 speakers.
- https://www.apelago.fi/fi/tapahtumat/apelago-initiative-2024
A’Pelago Experience
- Alongside the Initiative events, A’Pelago, in collaboration with archipelago entrepreneur partners, offers year-round tailored opportunities to work remotely in the archipelago, experience its nature and culture at 15 remote work locations.
- https://www.apelago.fi/fi/apelago-experience
A’Pelago Accelerator
- Supports the development of growth-oriented companies positively impacting archipelagos and marine areas through a coaching program that includes idea validation and implementation support. Eight start-up companies participated in the first Accelerator program pilot in spring 2024.
- https://www.apelago.fi/fi/apelago-accelerator
For More Information
Timo Ketonen
Co-founder, A’Pelago
timo@apelago.fi | +358 400 831 205
Bilder från Initiative Evenemang
More >
