Hatch Blue - AquaScale Program

Enriched accelerator · Found: 2026-03-11 07:51

Hatch Blue AquaScale program for scaling sustainable aquaculture ventures.

Source: https://www.hatch.blue/programs/aquascale

Funding Details

Funder

Hatch Blue / Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) — Ireland's Seafood Development Agency

Funding Goal

Support established Irish aquatech companies to sharpen market position, refine commercial strategy, and prepare for next-stage scaling in salmon and shrimp aquaculture markets through an intensive strategic programme.

Funding Amount

No cost and no equity taken. 66 companies accepted into BIM Aquatech Innovation Studio to date; alumni have raised €28M+ in total funding and created 173 jobs.

Deadline

2026-03-31 (Fixed)

How to Apply

Apply via Cognito Forms online application. Deadline 31 March 2026, 5pm GMT. Three-day in-person programme 26-28 May 2026 at PorterShed, Galway, Ireland. International Aquatech stakeholder event on 19 October 2026. Travel expenses not covered.

Target Region

Ireland

Contact

Jessica Giannoumis, PhD — Community Manager Ireland — jessica@hatch.blue

Last Checked

2026-03-15 12:32

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Applicant must be an Irish aquatech company (registered and active in the market)
• Company must already have customers, pilots, or revenue — not pre-revenue or early-stage

Project Scope

• Company must be selling into the aquaculture market (salmon or shrimp focus preferred)

Required Documents

• Apply via Cognito Forms online before 31 March 2026, 5pm GMT

Constraints

• Must attend full three days in-person in Galway, Ireland (26-28 May 2026)
• Travel expenses are not covered by the programme
• No equity investment or financial grant — programme provides strategic support and network access only

Summary

AquaScale (BIM Innovation Studio+) is a strategic scale-readiness intensive programme run by Hatch Blue in partnership with Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), Ireland's national seafood development agency. The programme is specifically designed for established Irish aquatech companies that are already generating revenue and seeking to sharpen their market position for growth. The thematic focus is commercial strategy and scaling for aquaculture technology companies, particularly those working in salmon and shrimp value chains. Activities covered during the programme include deep market and positioning work, go-to-market strategy, competitive analysis, strategic decision-making workshops on real business trade-offs, and execution planning. It is not a general innovation or research programme. Eligible activities are oriented around commercial and strategic refinement rather than R&D. Participants receive tailored post-programme 1-to-1 support, access to the Hatch Blue and BIM team, and connection to Hatch Blue's investor network. No equity is taken and there is no financial grant. Geographically, the programme is focused exclusively on Ireland. Applicants must be Irish aquatech scale-ups with active market presence, registered as companies, and willing to attend three days in person in Galway (26-28 May 2026). Eligible applicants are scaling companies — not early-stage startups or pre-revenue ventures — that sell into the aquaculture market (salmon or shrimp focus) and are looking for strategic clarity. One to two representatives per company must be available to attend full-time for the three-day intensive. The programme has a strong track record: the preceding BIM Aquatech Innovation Studio has worked with 66 companies that collectively raised €28M+ and created 173 jobs. AquaScale positions itself as the advanced track within this programme lineage.

Historical Context

The BIM Aquatech Innovation Studio has accepted 66 companies to date, generating €28M+ in total funding raised and 173 jobs created by alumni. AquaScale is the latest version, focused on scaling rather than early incubation.

Sources

• https://www.hatch.blue/programs/aquascale

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