The Atlantic Smart Ports Blue Acceleration Network (AspBAN) is the establishment of a partnership between EU Atlantic ports for the development of a blue accelerator scheme that can stimulate innovative businesses in an innovation ecosystem to foster a sustainable blue economy. AspBAN is funded by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) of the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE) of the European Union and will be based on the successful experience of Bluetech Accelerator – Ports & Shipping 4.0 in Portugal.

The project has the main goal to achieve a final pool of 30 innovative startup solutions developed as pilots in 30 Atlantic ports, attracting 6M€ in direct private investment, mobilizing 4,5billion€ of potential private investment and making a reduction of at least 100.000 tons of CO2 emissions in the operations of the 30 ports.

We’re looking for startups that have at least an MVP, ready to PoC. The startup could be without clients, but not in an ideation phase.

English is the official language of the program

AspBAN Open Innovation program will have both online and physical/Hybrid presence, which will be communicated in advance.

Pitch phase will occur during the week of 27 July – 1 June 2022; and Bootcamp during the week of 25 July – 29 July

TBD

For the Pitch phase, one person will be required to pitch the startup and solution. It is important to have a team member that can address all questions from the jury members of the partners.

We ask for information about you, your solutions, your team and your company. Don’t hold back, let us know how great you are!

AspBAN is not an accelerator program and thus, unlike conventional accelerators for startups, we do not ask for equity in your business in order for you to participate and obtain all of the benefits of the program.

However, should one or more of the program partners be interested in investing and the time is right for your business, this is certainly a possibility and a valued outcome for many startups.

The program is not investment-focused, it focuses on implementing startups solutions. But despite that, some investors might be present in some key moments of the program such as the Pitch phase, Bootcamp or even the Demo day observing the startups which can lead to further investment discussions even though it’s not part of the program.

Yes, AsBAN is open for startups from all over the world as long as there is an interest and you are able to work with any of the partners that are present in the Atlantic Strategy Committee Member Countries (Ireland, Portugal, Spain and France). Startups with solutions / products that contribute to the objectives of the Atlantic Strategy, and especially the goals for development of Atlantic ports into blue economy hubs, and whose activities are focused on the EU waters in the Atlantic, are welcome to apply.

If your startup is pre-selected after the online applications (F6S), you’ll be invited to the Online Pitch. Afterwards, the selected startups will be invited to take part in the Bootcamp and the startups with the best fit with the partners will move forward to the Implementation Phase.

The selection process will be managed by Beta-i and a jury from the partners. A team of evaluators will be focusing on your product, team, market, business model, fit with each partner and will even be counting on their gut feeling and experience from previous Open Innovation programs.

If your startup is pre-selected after the online applications (F6S), you’ll be invited to the Pitch phase. Afterwards, the selected startups will be invited to take part in the Bootcamp and the startups with the best fit with the partners will move forward to the Implementation Phase.

We aim to select 80 startups to join the Pitch phase and then 60 to the Bootcamp..

• Chance to connect and have access to 142 Strategic partners across the Atlantic Ports
• Fast forward business bootcamp opportunities with relevant partners.
• Opportunity to scale and test the product using real data in a live environment.
• Networking and partnerships with startups selected for the Bootcamp.
• Feedback and mentorship from experts on the Blue Economy sector.

Yes, definitely. You can apply with as many projects you believe would fit and benefit with the program. Each startup will require its own application.

The budget for the implementation project is a process of negotiation between the startup and the partner(s) that should start during the Bootcamp. There are grants set aside for the implementation projects however their applications depend on the specific case of each project.