Blue Economy Centre to be established in Astra campus building

The Astra campus building, currently under construction by the Åbo Akademi University Foundation in Turku, will house the new Blue Economy Centre, which will focus on advancing the development of the blue economy. The Turku-based investment company Aboa Advest will bring together various actors from the blue economy sector within the centre’s premises.

The Astra campus building will be completed in 2025, with Åbo Akademi University, the Åbo Akademi University Foundation, and several companies and startups moving in. Åbo Akademi University Foundation will occupy three of the building’s five floors, the top floor is reserved for the Åbo Akademi University, and the fourth floor will house other tenants.

“The foundation’s goal is for Astra to become a hub for various parties, providing opportunities for new collaborations to emerge. We are delighted to see that an actor with close ties to Åbo Akademi will be operating in Astra. We at the foundation also look forward to being part of the Astra community,” says Lasse Svens.

Blue Economy Centre combines business and research

One of the future tenants in Astra is the investment company Aboa Advest Oy, specializing in impact investing, which seeks measurable societal or environmental benefits alongside financial returns. Aboa Advest is leasing a 450-square-meter space in Astra for the Blue Economy Centre, designed to bring together companies and startups operating in the blue economy. The blue economy refers to business activities that regenerate ocean ecosystems in coastal areas, with the goal of fostering economic growth and creating jobs.

UNCTAD, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, estimates the value of the blue economy to be around $3–6 trillion, employing approximately three billion people. In Europe alone, the blue economy market is worth over €620 billion.

A’Pelago, a company dedicated to promoting the blue economy, will also move to Astra. Aboa Advest is one of its founding partners.

“We focus on sustainable, ocean-related business activities, which often require the construction of new value chains. That is why we are especially pleased to develop and strengthen A’Pelago’s ecosystem with the launch of the Blue Economy Centre. The centre will serve as a critical hub for our operations. The proximity to other actors in Astra enables quick and creative solutions that combine entrepreneurial, scientific, and financial aspects,” says Patrik Anckar, co-founder and shareholder of A’Pelago.

A key part of A’Pelago’s operations is its annual business accelerator program, Accelerator, aimed at supporting the creation of profitable businesses within the blue economy.

“The goal of A’Pelago’s business accelerator is to establish 30 new blue economy companies within the next five years. We aim to lease space in Astra to these companies and other blue economy actors,” says Timo Ketonen, owner of Aboa Advest and co-founder of A’Pelago. “For us, it has been important that the planning and construction of Astra take environmental impacts into account. Most importantly, however, the central location near our partners and university research units has been crucial,” Ketonen continues.

The Blue Economy Centre will also offer companies flexible workspaces in collaboration with the rental platform Spacent.

In Astra, a total of 550 square meters of leasable space remains available. The layout allows for various uses, including coworking activities.

For further information about the Blue Economy Centre:

Timo Ketonen, Founder, Aboa Advest and A’Pelago
+358 400 831 205, timo.ketonen@aboa-advest.fi

For further information about Astra:

Mika Soinio, Property Manager, Åbo Akademi University Foundation
+358 40 775 8545, mika.soinio@stiftelsenabo.fi