The Blue Bio Value Ideation is a 5-week programme supporting innovative R&D projects that are using marine bioresources in a sustainable way, going from lab to market.

The programme offers a methodology to promote knowledge transfer to the market of the 10 selected projects, that combines in-person and remote dynamics. The participating teams will be paired with a mentor from Nova School of Business and Economics and Porto Business School, that will bring business expertise to the R&D projects. The projects will have access to workshops, talks, individual hands-on working sessions, group dynamics, and networking moments.

The goal of Blue Bio Value Ideation is empowering the participating teams, with a national focus, to develop a business strategy and accelerate their market entrance journey.

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• • A 5-week programme comprising a structured training that will equip teams with a practical understanding of business and entrepreneurial concepts. The programme offers active and individual mentoring, as well as a variety of group activities and personalised hands-on sessions, aimed at supporting them throughout their journey into the market.
  • Workshops and group discussions with experts from different sectors and backgrounds, including CEOs, entrepreneurs, investors, professors, among others.
  • Individual pitch practice.
  • 3 in-person days to participate in group dynamics and networking moments, and the opportunity to attend the Final Pitch competition and the Blue Bio Value Day.
  • Access to networking opportunities within the Blue Bio Value network.
  • The programme will award the winning team(s) with a prize of 10.000€, which the winner(s) will be able to spend in the Blue Demo Network.
  • Ongoing support for 6 weeks after the end of the programme to support teams overcoming market-entrance challenges.

No. Blue Bio Value Ideation follows a hybrid model, combining in-person and online moments.

The programme kicks-off with an in-person day in Porto (October 16), followed by 5-weeks online (between October 16 and November 17). The programme ends with 2 days in-person in Lisbon, on November 28 and 29, where the teams will participate in the Blue Bio Value Day together with Blue Bio Value Acceleration participants.

We encourage the teams to participate in each session with 2 (two) to 6 (six) elements, however, we are open to accept exceptions if relevant.

Yes, every online initiative should have a minimum of 1 (one) member attending.

During the in-person days in Porto and Lisbon, all projects are expected to be represented by a minimum of 2 (two) team members.

Even though Blue Bio Value Ideation lasts for 5 weeks, we are committed to support your project for an additional 6 weeks after the end of the programme, through active mentorship.

Each participant is required to have access to internet and one computer with audio and video specs.

We are conscious that you are not yet working full-time on your project, and as such you can expect us to be mindful about it. We will be flexible to schedule your individual moments, also, workshops and talks will be held after working hours (around 5pm GMT+1 time).

From your side, we expect full commitment and the participation in all scheduled sessions, including the in-person moments.

• 1. Applications: between June 12 and July 28 11:59pm GMT +1
  2. Selection and interviews: between July 28 and September 29
  3. Decision and communication of participants: October 2
  4. Warm up day (in Porto): October 16
  5. Ideation support (remote): between October 16 and November 17
  6. Final Pitch Day (in Lisbon): November 28
  7. Blue Bio Value Day (in Lisbon): November 29
  8. Ongoing mentorship: between December 4 and January 15

We will communicate the results to all applicants by October 2.

Blue Bio Value Ideation seeks scientific teams with a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) background, or related fields, that are engaged in the development or planning of a blue bioeconomy R&D project. We are specifically targeting highly skilled teams with strong technical expertise, driven to initiate or advance blue biotechnology innovations with significant potential as market applications, that intentionally aim to create positive impact in the marine world.

It is required that the R&D projects have at least 2 (two) team members.

No, the programme is industry-agnostic, and your project may have any viable market application. However, we are looking for marine bioresources-based solutions which ensure and/or promote a sustainable use of the ocean.

Yes. Blue Bio Value Ideation believes that the blue bioeconomy can help tackle different global societal challenges by promoting sustainable food systems; contributing to mitigate and adapt to climate change; preserving natural ecosystems; improving health and human well-being; reducing plastic pollution; creating sustainable and inclusive jobs and enhancing a circular bioeconomy growth model; among others that you are welcome to introduce.

Marine bioresources are marine-based biomaterials and processes, which are naturally and sustainably renewable and biodegradable, and that include a wide range of technologies and elements such as biomass, biological treatment, bioenergy, biotransformation, bioremediation, among others.

Blue Bio Value Ideation aims to attract researchers with innovative projects that represent a business opportunity along the value chain of marine bioresources, including, but not limited to, biotechnology-based projects.

Yes, however, there is no financial support to cover the costs related to participating in the two mandatory in-person moments taking place in Porto (October 16) and Lisbon (November 28 and 29).

There is no fee to participate in the programme.

Please note that the programme does not cover for accommodation and travel expenses related to the in-person moments taking place in Porto and Lisbon. It is expected that teams cover these costs. If this is an impediment for your participation, please contact ideation@bluebiovalue.com.

Yes. There will be a Final Pitch competition, where all teams will be challenged to deliver a concise and compelling presentation that highlights the key aspects of their idea. The judges evaluating the final pitches will decide the winning team(s). The winner(s) will receive a prize to ignite the creation of a business solution.

The 10.000€ voucher must be used in services provided by the Blue Demo Network, that can range from access to ponds, labs, and office spaces, to technical and scientific studies, or even support services such as IP, legal, and business advice.

Additionally, the winning team(s) will have facilitated access to Blue Bio Value Acceleration in 2024.

No. Only the team(s) that win the Final Pitch competition will have access to a 10.000€ award to be spent in services within the Blue Demo Network.

The Blue Demo Network brings together, in a single and easy access point, a series of Portuguese infrastructures and services, suitable for blue tech-based startups and SMEs. Its main goal is to promote and make accessible to startups all over the world the means to test and demonstrate the functionalities of their solutions and boost the Portuguese blue bioeconomy.

Participating teams are solely responsible for protecting their intellectual property rights. Teams are responsible for selecting the information they consider essential to share in order to successfully be supported in transferring their knowledge and research into the market/industry, and for the jury to evaluate the final pitches and select the winner(s).

Yes, but only with the Business Mentor paired with each project, who will have access to key information.

The Business Mentors dealing with sensitive and confidential information will have to sign a non-disclosure agreement regarding the “STEM project” they will be involved with.

Alongside with this requisite, Business Mentors are expected not to have any conflict of interests and not to be driven by personal gains. Also, Business Mentors will take the necessary time to participate and, especially for the winning team(s), will commit to spending time and effort helping the R&D project towards building a successful venture.

It is each team’s responsibility to decide who holds the rights over the presented and developed ideas, and to secure the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) on their ideas, if they wish so.

You can apply through this link.

Yes. Applications will take place between June 12 and July 28, 11:59pm GMT+1.

The ideas will be assessed considering the following criteria:

• • Innovation and novelty in the blue biotech sector: the level of uniqueness and disruptive potential in the blue biotech sector.
  • Feasibility and viability: the technical feasibility and viability of the implementation.
  • Market potential and impact: potential market size, target audience, and scalability factors.
  • Sustainability and environmental impact: the level of commitment to sustainability and positive environmental impact.
  • Team capability and expertise: experience, background, and team expertise.
  • Business potential: potential of moving from an idea to a business, into the market.
  • Alignment with programme goals: the alignment with the goals and focus areas of Blue Bio Value Ideation.

All 10 teams will participate in the Final Pitch competition. The programme’s jury is composed of one representative of each partner of the organising committee, and up to one external member.

The jury will take into consideration the following criteria:

• • Business model potential.
  • Team composition and performance.
  • Technology proposed.
  • Performance throughout the Ideation programme.
  • Attendance and engagement.
  • Tasks completed.
  • Performance in the Final Pitch.