BlueBio Roadshow

BlueBio Roadshow

What did this initiative focus on?

The present bilateral action launched foundations for an enduring collaboration between BlueBio Alliance, and Norwegian partners Clusters to foster the development of new business models and ideas promoting the blue economy in both countries. Briefly, the initiative included a roadshow to Norway and included attendance in a Norwegian conference Tech Tour Ocean event, matchmaking sessions, and B2B meetings. A second important momentum happened with the invitation of Norway investors to visit Portugal and attend the “Final Pitch Day” event of the Blue Bio Value Acceleration programme followed by one2one meetings between startups and investors to learn good advice and find funding opportunities.

The participation of startups and Investors in the bilateral relations initiatives was highly recognized by participants as an important first step to move towards establishing good interactions and knowledge of the blue bio-economy scenario. The available solutions shed the light on how Portuguese entrepreneurs are addressing important economical, societal, and environmental challenges. This was collectively pinpointed, and this initiative allowed raised visibility to Portuguese startups showing that they have the knowledge and technology to overcome these challenges. In fact, the promotion of bridges between the two countries and a better understanding of what and how is being developed in Portugal in the blue bio-economy entrepreneurship was proof for investors that have now a more confident perspective on the great solutions to be found in Portugal to address local and global needs.

Access to funding schemes, clients, and knowledge of business development strategies were identified as the major bottlenecks. The initiative is fundamental to promote access to the Portuguese and Norwegian ecosystems as Portugal reaches a stage where the huge and diverse startups are now thrilled to show their value and investors recognize their activity and quality, there could be no better proof of the importance of the initiative! In the end, we will look forward to new businesses and economic growth for both countries while with the experience gathered leveling bilateral relations and collaborations should come out through new creation of consortia fostering future funding EEA grants initiatives and other funding opportunities, strengthening the cooperation between Portugal and Norwegian SMEs and associations in the Blue Bio economy.