Deadline: 03-Aug-21
Applications are now open for the Blue Economy Accelerator Programme.
With the second open call, DigiCirc will select a minimum of 15 consortia, composed of at least 2 SMEs/Startups that will develop innovative solutions focused on digital technologies by addressing the Blue Economy challenges. SMEs will be given the opportunity to use the DigiCirc Matchmaking Platform to look for other SMEs in case they need a partner to build a consortium.
The selected consortia will get a direct funding of up to €20.000 and the opportunity to integrate a highly intensive and innovative 12 weeks-long innovation support programme, divided in two phases, where they will be able to develop their business plans and adapt their solutions for the targeted area (Phase 1); and demonstrate their solutions in relevant environment as well as shape their commercial strategy (Phase 2).
At the end of the accelerator programme, the 5 best ranked consortia will be selected to receive further funding of €100.000. They will have up to 6 months to develop their prototype and make tests in an operational environment in view of a commercial launch.
What’s in it for SMEs?
- Up to €60k equity free funding per SME/StartUp
- Access to 4 Digital Tools
- One-on-One Business Coaching support
- Thematic Mentoring support provided by industry experts
Challenges
Applicants must submit their proposals for one of the following challenges:
- Develop solutions, products and services based on digital technologies to increase sustainability, circularity and competitiveness in the aquaculture and fisheries sectors by facing specific needs and challenges of these sectors.
- Create solutions, products, services and apps to empower circularity and sustainability for coastal tourism using digitalization and digital technologies by facing specific needs or by making citizens and tourists conscious about their impact in the ecosystem to improve their habits.
- Develop solutions, products, tools and services to increase efficiency, sustainability and circularity in ports activities applying digitalization and digital technologies.
- Develop solutions based on digital technologies to optimize Ocean Renewable Energies operations, increasing their circularity and sustainability.
- Create solutions based on digital technologies to address sustainability challenges in Maritime Transport in matters of fuel consumption and pollution, route simulation, among others.
- Solutions, products and services based on digital technologies to make shipbuilding and repair more sustainable and circular.
- Solutions, products and services based on digital technologies and related to the circular economy for climate change mitigation and marine ecosystems protection.
Eligibility Criteria
- Being a consortium of at least 2 SMEs or Startups
- Being based in one of the EU Members States or an H2020 Associated Country
- Addressing one of the Blue Economy challenges
- DigiCirc is looking for European SMEs/Start-ups that can use digital tools and apply cutting-edge solutions in the circular economy by addressing specific challenges in the domain of Blue Economy.
For more information, visit https://digicirc.eu/blue-economy/