Deadline: December 04, 2025
The Algae Accelerator is a six-month mentorship programme by AlgaeProBANOS designed to support startups and SMEs in the algae value chain from the 27 EU Member States and Horizon Europe–associated countries, with the aim to upscale business strategies, introduce sustainable market alternatives, and address key challenges in the algae sector through innovation, mentoring, and international connections.
The Algae Accelerator aims to accelerate the development and uptake of innovative algae-based products by providing a structured six-month mentorship programme. Participants are supported through personalized guidance from experienced mentors in fields ranging from business strategy to sustainability, EU regulations, and algae technologies. The programme is designed for startups and SMEs with solutions typically at TRL 3, looking to reach market readiness.
Selected participants will benefit from tailored mentoring, access to practical insights, and an innovation voucher valued up to €10,000 to help them scale their operations and refine their market approach. Mentors, on the other hand, can contribute at least 24 hours over six months, guiding participants in strategy, testing, and achieving goals defined in a mentoring plan. Mentors receive a compensation of €10,000 for their involvement, fostering a mutually beneficial collaboration.
A unique aspect of the programme is BlueBioMatch, an online platform connecting startups, SMEs, researchers, and investors in the blue bioeconomy. Through this network, participants can explore partnerships, collaborations, and opportunities to enhance their visibility in the growing algae innovation ecosystem.
Applications for Open Call 2 are submitted through the F6S platform, and the programme encourages active engagement from participants, who are expected to contribute to surveys and achieve set objectives. The initiative is funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme, reflecting a broader commitment to sustainable bio-based innovation in the Baltic and North Sea regions.
For more information, visit AlgaeProBANOS.
