Applications open for MAR+Invest Acceleration Programme

MAR+Invest is an initiative supported by the Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR), and which promotes the development of businesses that generate positive impacts on the MAR while also achieving market returns. Through this call for proposals, they seek business solutions at different stages of development that result in positive outcomes for the MAR.

The MAR+Invest 2025 Acceleration Programme provides seven months of technical assistance for companies offering solutions aimed at the protection, conservation, and restoration of the MAR and its dependent communities. They are looking for business solutions that help reduce the main threats to the reef and adjacent ecosystems:

• Water pollution
• Overfishing
• Climate change

Aims

• The Acceleration Programme aims to support and strengthen business solutions that reduce local threats to the reef. The programme offers workshops, personalized mentorship, valuable connections with key stakeholders from the impact entrepreneurship and conservation sectors, and financial advisory services. It is important to note that the programme does not provide direct funding.

Priority Sectors

• Priority sectors include:
  • Wastewater treatment and eco-technologies
  • Sustainable fishing and fish traceability technologies
  • Regenerative coastal agriculture, mariculture, and sustainable coastal aquaculture
  • Sustainable tourism
  • Restoration of coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrasses
  • Waste management
  • Marine biodiversity conservation projects (e.g., no-fishing zones)
  • Local renewable energy
  • Emission reduction technologies
  • Blue carbon (depending on local regulations)
  • And more

Benefits

• Training and support in business and environmental and social impact, with the possibility of accessing personalized guidance.
• Development of impact measurement indicators with the help of experts.
• Access to a community of strategic allies and impact-driven entrepreneurs involved in the blue economy in the region.
• Financial advisory to support the growth of business operations.
• Closing trip of the program for one member of each project to present their project and meet key regional stakeholders and reef conservation ecosystem actors.
• All support provided by the MAR+Invest Acceleration Programme team will be completely free of charge for participants.

Eligible Priority Sites

• Eligible projects must generate (or plan to generate) measurable social and environmental impacts in one or more of 18 priority sites in the MAR countries or their areas of influence. Eligible marine-coastal protected areas include:
  • Mexico (Quintana Roo):
    • Cozumel Island
    • Puerto Morelos Reef National Park
    • Yum Balam Flora and Fauna Protection Area
    • Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve
    • Banco Chinchorro Biosphere Reserve
  • Belize:
    • Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve
    • South Water Caye Marine Reserve
    • Laughing Bird Caye National Park
    • Caye Caulker Marine Reserve
    • Gladden Spit & Silk Caye Marine Reserve
  • Guatemala:
    • Cayman Crown Replenishment Zone
    • Punta de Manabique Wildlife Refuge
    • Río Sarstún Multiple Use Reserve
  • Honduras:
    • Cayos Cochinos Marine National Monument
    • Cuero & Salado Wildlife Refuge
    • Tela Bay Marine Wildlife Refuge
    • Bay Islands National Park

Eligibility Criteria

• Business solutions with a clear, positive impact on the MAR’s health and resilience integrated into their business model.
• Operations or plans to operate in at least one of the MAR countries:
• Mexico (Quintana Roo),
  • Belize
  • Guatemala
  • Honduras.
• Innovative business solutions that contribute to reducing reef threats (e.g., water and solid waste pollution, overfishing, and climate change).
• Have a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) of the product or service.
• Have at least 2 team members.
• Generate a positive impact on reef-dependent communities, for example, poverty reduction.
• Eligible entities:
  • Startups or companies
  • NGOs with business arms to finance their operations
  • Co-managers of Marine Protected Areas
• Project Stage:
  • Early-stage
  • Growth-stage

For more information, visit MAR+Invest.