EU BlueInvest — European Commission Blue Economy Investment Platform

Enriched Impact Investor · Found: 2026-03-10 14:33

EU BlueInvest platform supports innovative blue economy startups and SMEs with funding, matchmaking with investors, and business development. Bridges gap between ocean innovation and private capital.

Source: https://oceans-and-fisheries.ec.europa.eu/funding-and-investment/blueinvest_en

Funding Details

Funder

European Commission / Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE)

Funding Goal

Accelerate growth of ocean-based technologies, boost innovation and investment in the sustainable blue economy, support EU start-ups and SMEs with investment readiness, coaching, matchmaking, and access to equity finance through the European Investment Fund

Funding Amount

Aims to mobilise over EUR 1 billion in public and private investments by 2028. Individual coaching programmes provide up to 20 days of 1:1 advisory. No direct grants — supports investment readiness and connects companies with investors.

Deadline

Rolling basis (Rolling)

How to Apply

Applications submitted through the BlueInvest community platform at blueinvest-community.converve.io. Companies can apply to the project pipeline to connect with investors. Readiness assistance and fundraising assistance programmes have specific application windows. Community membership is open.

Target Region

European Union

Contact

blueinvest-community.converve.io; DG MARE: https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/departments-and-executive-agencies/maritime-affairs-and-fisheries_en#contact

Last Checked

2026-03-15 14:12

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Must be an EU-based start-up, SME, or scale-up
• Investor capacity building available for investors looking to expand into blue economy

Project Scope

• Must have innovative products or solutions for the sustainable blue economy
• Projects must contribute to sustainable blue economy (not traditional extractive or harmful practices)

Required Documents

• Investment readiness and fundraising assistance require application and selection process

Constraints

• No direct grants provided — support is technical, advisory, and matchmaking in nature

Summary

BlueInvest is a European Commission initiative launched in 2019 to accelerate growth of ocean-based technologies and boost innovation and investment in the sustainable blue economy across the EU. It is funded through the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) and supported by the European Investment Fund (EIF). The programme targets start-ups, SMEs, scale-ups, investors, and other stakeholders in the blue economy sector. The initiative operates through several distinct components. The BlueInvest Community provides networking, market intelligence, exclusive events, and investment opportunity matching for entrepreneurs and investors. The Investment Readiness Assistance programme offers tailored coaching packages for high-potential EU start-ups and SMEs to build growth capacity and attract investment. The Fundraising Assistance programme provides up to 20 days of 1:1 advisory services from investors to support equity round closures for up to 20 companies at seed, A- and B-series financing stages. Additional components include investor capacity building through structured training sessions, a project pipeline showcase connecting vetted companies with investors, events for B2B matchmaking, and a knowledge centre with capacity-building courses and webinars. The initiative aims to mobilise over EUR 1 billion in public and private investments by 2028. Eligible companies must be EU-based start-ups or SMEs with innovative, sustainable blue economy solutions. Relevant sectors include marine technology, aquaculture, coastal protection, marine pollution solutions, and other ocean-based innovations. The programme does not provide direct grants but connects companies with equity investors and investment readiness support. BlueInvest has been intensified following the adoption of the EU Ocean Pact in 2025.

Historical Context

BlueInvest was launched in 2019 by the European Commission. Funded by the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) and supported by the European Investment Fund (EIF). Intensified under the EU Ocean Pact adopted in 2025.

Why it was added

Official EU platform connecting blue economy ventures with investors, directly relevant funding mechanism

Sources

• https://oceans-and-fisheries.ec.europa.eu/funding-and-investment/blueinvest_en

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