Mentoring and technology exchange for supporting the regional blue bioeconomy: what do blue bio startups and companies really need?

Startups can inject innovative solutions and approaches into the blue bioeconomy market. Yet, they need mentoring, financial and infrastructural support to reach market readiness and economies of scale. Startup mentoring programmes have multiplied over the years, favouring a fertile innovation ecosystem for startups, but are these providing adequate support in light of startups' real-life needs? In turn, companies in need of technological solutions could partner up with startups and other companies, offering new opportunities for spinoffs and adding business segments to traditional value chains, but how can technology exchange be fostered? This workshop will host startups, companies and their supporters and host a discussion on collaboration, support and technology exchange in the blue bioeconomy, offering insights into promising collaboration opportunities and untapped markets.