The Nordic Ocean Accelerator Programme is an intensive cross-border growth programme for ambitious ocean economy startups and SMEs seeking to grow in the Nordic market. The programme helps participating companies pressure-test their solutions, strengthen their growth strategies, build strategic partnerships, and improve their investment readiness. Participants gain access to leading Nordic ocean innovation clusters, industry experts, investors, and potential partners while developing concrete pathways for commercialisation and international growth.
Program Details
• Target Sectors: The programme focuses on ocean and blue economy solutions, including maritime, aquaculture, ocean energy, blue bioeconomy, marine technology, ocean digitalisation, and related fields.
• Curriculum: The programme includes six learning modules supported by an online kickoff, an online learning environment, onsite activities, and a hybrid final event. The 2027 programme includes an intensive onsite period in Helsinki, Finland, from 8–11 February 2027.
• Key Objectives: Participants work to strengthen their commercialisation and growth strategies, identify opportunities in the Nordic market, develop strategic partnerships, explore financing options, and improve their readiness for investment and international expansion.
• Workshop Themes: Key workshop themes include Leading Blue Growth, Commercialisation, Funding Strategy, Investment Readiness, Impact, and Pitching.
Eligibility Criteria
• Eligible Applicants: The programme is open to startups and SMEs developing scalable solutions within the ocean and blue economy. Applicants should already have a validated product, service, or technology.
• Geographic Focus: Applications are open globally. Applicants should have an interest in entering, expanding, or growing within the Nordic market.
• Ideal Profile: The programme is suited to companies with validated solutions and clear ambitions to commercialise, scale, enter new markets, develop partnerships or pilots, and strengthen their investment readiness. Applicants should also be prepared to actively participate in the programme and engage with Nordic industry and investor networks.
Application Information
• Application Deadline: 30 November 2026.
• Programme Dates: 8–11 February 2027 in Helsinki, Finland, with additional online programme activities.
• Further Information: For programme details and applications, visit the Nordic Ocean Accelerator Programme website.
The Nordic Ocean Accelerator Programme provides ocean economy startups and SMEs with a structured opportunity to access the Nordic ecosystem, test their market and commercialisation strategies, build industry and investor relationships, and prepare for further growth. Companies from around the world with validated ocean and blue economy solutions and ambitions to expand in the Nordics are eligible to apply.