Hi everyone!
There are two upcoming deadlines at the end of the month for applications to accelerator programs: the Blue Catalyst Fund and the StartBlue Accelerator.
Happy reading!
PS- in case you haven’t guessed, next week is the big 100!
News
Canadian biotech startup Mara Renewables has raised USD 9.1 million from S2G Investments to scale its algae-based, fish‑free omega‑3 DHA platform—expanding R&D capacity and further driving sustainable nutrition solutions without relying on depleted marine fisheries.
Origin by Ocean and the CABB Group have announced a partnership to build the world’s first invasive-sargassum biorefinery in Kokkola, Finland—using patented technology to convert abundant brown algae blooms into high-value biopolymers. Operations are expected to begin in 2028 and scalability is planned for regions heavily affected by sargassum.
An article published in The Conversation underscores that effective coral reef protection must center the people who rely on them for food, livelihoods, and coastal safety—arguing that equitable conservation requires integrating local communities into reef governance and resource planning.
A recent Financial Times feature highlights the growing potential of blue bonds—sustainability-linked debt instruments earmarked for ocean-friendly projects—to mobilize private capital toward marine conservation and clean water initiatives, though issuance remains modest and scaling will require stronger governance frameworks.
RMI released a roadmap for planning and communicating strategies for marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV).
Project Midway—launched in May 2025 by CarbonBlue—is the world’s first carbon dioxide removal system fully integrated into an operational desalination plant, capturing up to 400 tonnes of CO₂ annually while improving plant efficiency, reducing costs, and scaling a novel, water-based CDR solution within existing industrial infrastructure. You can learn more about it here.
Opportunities
The Blue Catalyst Fund, delivered by Fair Carbon in partnership with Finance Earth, provides early-stage technical assistance, milestone-based catalytic funding, and capacity-building through its 12–24 month accelerator program—designed to take mangrove-focused blue carbon projects from feasibility through accreditation and to unlock investment for scalable, high-integrity restoration. Apply by July 31st.
The StartBlue Accelerator at UC San Diego will be accepting applications until July 31st.
The Neptune Awards from Ocean Exchange have a variety of deadlines for their $100,000 USD price depending on your region: the date has passed for Asia & Oceania, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, but the deadline is August 1 for the Americas.
Applications are open for the Great Lakes Blue Tech Challenge. Apply here.
Applications are open for call for projects issued to the scientific community throughout the European Economic Area (EEA) on the topic of Ocean and Coastal Ecosystems.
The 'Our Shared Ocean' Mobility and Travel Grants 2025 program offers funding to support research conferences, training courses, and research visits, primarily for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in partnership with Irish institutions. Remaining submission deadlines are June 13, September 5, and November 7, 2025.
Hatch Blue, an aquaculture and alternative seafood investor, is looking for startups to join their accelerator program, in which they will invest $75,000 in each successful applicant.
Apply to Katapult’s Ocean Accelerator program that is designed to guide founders through complex entrepreneurial issues, add structure, and help raise a startup’s next round.
Fair Carbon has launched a Blue Carbon Academy that aims to help with the fine-tuning of the design of a Blue Carbon project.
Events
The Blue Convergence Fund is hosting a webinar on July 31st at 9PM ET regarding the 2025 Climate Resilient Fisheries Engagement Grants Request for Proposals.
Register for the 3rd International Forum on Blue Economy and Growth in Mexico on 20-22nd of August.
The EAHN Thematic Conference on September 10-13th will be focusing on “The Built Ocean”. They have an open call for papers for the conference.
Register for the Ocean Hackathon 2025 that will be taking place from October 17th-19th in Paris.
The Blue Economy Investment Summit will be occurring in Portland, Maine, on October 24th. You can register early with a discounted ticket price here.
The Ocean Exchange 2025 will be hosted in Fort Lauderdale, FL, from October 26-28.
Ocean Floor Explore will be taking place from October 26-29, 2025 in Victoria, Canada.
Learning
This Superorganism substack post examines the evolving challenges and opportunities in deploying marine technology—emphasizing how private-sector innovation is essential for scalable ecosystem monitoring and conservation at sea, despite logistical hurdles in remote and dynamic environments.
Check out this video about the startup Sargassum Eco Lumber, and how they are turning sargassum into building materials.
Planetary has published their MRV protocol for their ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) solution of mCDR. You can find the details here.
Companies doing the work
RedGet has developed a SaaS platform designed to track, report, and optimize carbon emissions in the maritime industry.
Titanium Technology creates biofoulingfree submerged structures, so underwater structures can remain clean over time without harming the environment.
Endur provides data-driven insights to strengthen coastal resilience initiatives.
If you shop on Bloom Sustainable Materials, you can find products with algae and seaweed, which reduces a product’s carbon footprint and petroleum use while helping restore ecosystems.
ooooo intrigued by the blue bonds!