Applications are now open for the second round of the AquaSphere Accelerator 2026, following a successful first round that brought together over 10 startups from 9 countries. This new call will select 16 startups to join the accelerator community, providing them with an opportunity to enhance their innovation, visibility, and impact. The program is designed for ambitious startups and scale-ups developing innovative solutions for maritime challenges, water sustainability, and coastal resilience.
Program Overview
• Program Name: AquaSphere Accelerator 2026 (Round 2)
• Program Focus: A pan-European initiative for startups in the blue economy.
• Funding: The program is fully-funded and supported by the EIT Higher Education Initiative.
• Format: An 8-week virtual program designed to fit around participants' schedules.
• Capacity: The program will support 16 SMEs.
• Objectives: To help startups validate technologies, access new markets, and raise capital.
• Language: The full accelerator program will be conducted in English.
• Contact for Inquiries: info@aquasphereproject.eu
Participant Benefits
• Mentorship: Access tailored guidance from maritime and water-tech experts.
• Technical Validation: Receive feedback to refine solutions.
• Investor Readiness: Gain exposure to investor and innovator ecosystems.
• Networking: Build strategic connections across the blue economy and academia.
Ideal Candidate Profile
• Industry Focus: Seeking startups and scale-ups innovating in areas such as maritime and ocean technology, sustainable aquaculture and fisheries, water and wastewater management, ocean renewable energy, and coastal protection and resilience.
• Founder Type: Open to technical founders with maritime engineering breakthroughs, teams solving critical industry challenges, or researchers with commercial ambitions.
• Ambition: Candidates should be committed to scaling their impact across Europe and beyond.
Eligibility Criteria
• Location: The company must be based in an EU member state or a Horizon Europe associated country. Organizations outside these regions are not eligible.
• Stage: Applicants should be at the pre-seed, seed, or Series A stage.
• Fundraising Goal: The company should plan to raise investment within the next 18–24 months.
• Vision: Applicants must have a clear vision for market impact and a drive to scale.
Program Experience
• Curriculum: The program bridges education, research, and entrepreneurship through a series of focused activities.
• Core Components: Includes Growth Strategy Workshops, Technical Validation Sessions, Business Development & Pitch Training, and various Roundtables, Mentoring, and Networking Events.
• Delivery: All sessions are delivered virtually to provide flexibility without compromising on intensity or results.
Key Dates
• Application Deadline: 31 March
• Selected Ventures Announcement: 18 April 2026
• Accelerator Dates: 4 May - 29 June 2026
Startups and scale-ups ready to raise investment and scale their impact on the blue economy are encouraged to apply. This is an opportunity to join the next wave of maritime innovators who are actively shaping a sustainable future.