Estudio de innovación BIM Aquatech

The future of technology is in the water

Geographical focus

Ireland, Europe, UK

Application deadline

18 July 2025
58

Companies have participated in the BIM Innovation Studio since 2019

7

Innovation Studio hosted by Hatch Blue in Ireland to date

€15M+

in total funding raised by BIM Innovation Studio participants

What program offering is

Hatch Blue & BIM Aquatech Innovation Studio

The Aquatech Innovation Studio, supported by Bord Iasagh Mhara (BIM) and delivered by Hatch Blue, is a high-impact innovation studio designed to help early-stage aquatech companies turn innovative ideas into scalable, market-ready solutions.

This programme provides hands-on mentorship, deep industry insights, and strategic commercial support, ensuring that participating startups and entrepreneurs gain real-world knowledge and connections to fast-track their growth.

Aquaculture and alternative seafood are key drivers of global food security, climate resilience, and sustainable seafood production. With growing pressures on wild fish stocks, innovation is essential to making aquaculture more efficient, scalable, and environmentally responsible. The Aquatech Innovation Studio will support breakthroughs in precision aquaculture, AI-driven monitoring, alternative feeds, automation, water quality management, and waste-to-value solutions, among other exciting innovations.

What the BIM Innovation Studio Offers:

Expert Mentorship: Direct access to leading aquaculture experts, investors, and industry professionals who provide tailored guidance on technology development, business strategy, and market positioning.

Global Market Insights: Deep dives into key aquaculture markets, regulatory landscapes, and commercial trends, helping participants refine their strategies for global scalability.

Commercialisation Support: Practical assistance in refining business models, securing investment, and developing go-to-market strategies to accelerate commercial adoption.

Access to BIM’s Industry Network: Connections to Ireland’s top aquaculture producers, seafood processors, and key stakeholders in the global seafood industry, creating opportunities for partnerships, pilots, and sales channels.

Investment & Funding Pathways: Exposure to investors and funding opportunities, helping participants navigate venture capital, government grants, and private financing options to scale their ventures.

Technology Validation & Industry Feedback: A structured process for testing and validating solutions against real-world industry challenges, ensuring innovations are market-ready and commercially viable.

A Launchpad for High-Growth Aquatech Businesses

The BIM Innovation Studio is not just about networking—it’s about getting results. By focusing on commercial success, investment readiness, and industry adoption, this programme de-risks early-stage aquatech businesses and positions them for long-term growth in the global seafood and aquaculture sectors.

With BIM’s leadership in the Irish seafood industry and Hatch Blue’s global expertise in aquatech acceleration, this initiative is set to transform how sustainable aquaculture solutions reach the market and scale internationally.

Are you ready to take your aquatech innovation to the next level?

Únase al programa para recibir

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Nuestra oferta principal

[BC Studio] Follow-on invest from Hatch

Potential for follow-on investment with Hatch Blue

[BC Studio] Pitch & investor guidance

Pitch and investor guidance

[BC Studio] Support- formation, business strat., product, fundraising strategy

Support with company formation, business strategy, product commercialization, and fundraising strategy

[BIM] global aquatech network

Opportunity to connect with global network of companies operating within the exclusive Aquatech sector

[BIM] individualized mentorship

Individualized mentorship; teams are paired with relevant industry leaders & also participate in 1-to-1 sessions with Hatch Blue and BIM teams

[BIM] Blue Ambition Event

Chance to pitch at Blue Ambition: an international Aquatech stakeholder event

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Name Surname
Position, Company name

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Inversión

Invertimos en los siguientes sectores

Póngase en contacto con nosotros

For questions about the current program please contact our team

Jessica Giannoumis
Jessica Giannoumis
Community Manager - Irlanda

Partners

This program is made possible through collaboration with Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) Ireland’s Seafood Development Agency
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Preguntas frecuentes

¿Cuándo finaliza el plazo de solicitud?

Application deadline for the BIM Aquatech Innovation Studio is 18 July, 2025; 5pm gmt.

When does the program start?

The program kicks off 13th October and runs through the 18th, 2025.

The Blue Ambition international Aquatech stakeholder event and pitch day will be held 23rd October in Dublin.

How long does this program last?

Six days, full-time, 9-5:30pm

¿Dónde está ubicado el programa?

PortherShed, Galway

¿Cuánta inversión recibe mi empresa?

There is no equity investment in the BIM Aquatech Innovation Studio, however there is an opportunity to connect with Hatch Blueʻs investment team and other relevant investors within our network.

Is there any funding support to travel to the program location?

Travel expenses are not covered.

¿Necesito ser una empresa registrada para presentar mi solicitud?

No es necesario que tenga una entidad registrada en el momento de la solicitud, pero esperamos que tenga la intención y esté preparado para hacerlo al final del programa.

Our team has already been through an accelerator program. Are we still eligible to participate?

Sí, aún puede participar. Hatch Blue es única, ya que es la principal aceleradora del mundo centrada en la acuicultura, y puede ofrecer tanto apoyo empresarial como experiencia en el sector en función de las necesidades de la startup.

¿Cuál es el número mínimo de participantes por equipo?

One but ideally two Co-Founders.

¿Tengo que estar presente durante todo el programa?

Yes full time attendance for six days, Monday to Saturday, is mandatory.

Will there be a finale event or demo day?

Yes, 23rd October will include an international Aquatech stakeholder event and pitch day.

What happens after the program ends?

Si está preparado para dar un paso más en su negocio y creemos en su potencial, Hatch Blue seguirá desempeñando un papel activo ayudando a los participantes a gestionar la recaudación de fondos, las propuestas empresariales y, lo que es más importante, a encontrar clientes.

¿Quién está detrás de Hatch Blue?

Hatch Blue fue concebida a finales de 2017 por los cofundadores Carsten Krome, Georg Baunach y Wayne Murphy, con el objetivo de revolucionar la forma de producir pescados y mariscos invirtiendo en su desarrollo tecnológico.

¿Cómo se tratarán mis secretos comerciales y mi propiedad intelectual?

No hay ningún requisito específico para que usted revele su información confidencial (incluyendo cualquier secreto comercial) o IP durante el programa. Sin embargo, si usted desea compartir cualquier información con nosotros, el equipo de Hatch Blue se asegurará de que toda la información se mantenga totalmente confidencial y no será compartida sin su permiso por escrito.

What is the difference between the innovation studios, blue venture builders, ocean foundry and CREST Accelerator?

El Estudio de Innovación es más apropiado para una serie de proyectos en fases tempranas que aún no buscan una inversión de capital. Estos proyectos requieren un mayor desarrollo empresarial y de productos, así como un conocimiento más profundo del sector de la acuicultura regional y mundial.

El contenido de las sesiones se adaptará a los proyectos en fase inicial que busquen formas de introducirse en la acuicultura o en los productos del mar alternativos procedentes de industrias adyacentes, o de comercializar la tecnología más allá de los institutos de investigación y los centros de enseñanza superior.

The innovation studio takes place over a shorter duration -  thus there is less contact time with the Hatch Blue team compared to the CREST accelerator.

Program specific questions