Post #76: You’ve Got a Blue Economy Idea… Now What?

This week got me thinking, so many people have ideas on how to solve pain-points, but actually creating a solution is extremely rare. (This blog is basically a journal at this point).

Rent. Deadlines. Uncertainty. And with it, the realisation that starting something from scratch is not only risky, but also time-consuming, confusing, and… where would you even begin?

Most people carry too many responsibilities to dive headfirst into a start-up. But the Blue Economy needs more problem-solvers, and not every solution requires quitting your job or raising capital on day one.

With tools like AI, low-code platforms, and easier access to global networks, there’s never been a better time to test ideas, find users, and build smarter.

Just wanted to do an honest take on what to do after the lightbulb moment this week, when the idea is fresh but unformed. Especially for those looking to make a living by solving meaningful problems in the ocean space.

1. Pressure-Test the Problem

Before building anything, be real about the problem you’re trying to solve.

In ocean and coastal markets, the biggest trap is falling in love with the solution, a shiny new material, a fancy sensor, or a new vessel design, without asking if it’s solving something urgent and painful.

Start here instead:

• Who really experiences this problem?

• How are they managing it today?

• What does it cost them, in time, money, or missed opportunity?

If you can’t name a real user or customer who feels the pain, the idea probably isn’t ready yet.

You don’t need a deck or prototype. Just curiosity. Ask the annoying questions. Find the gaps. That’s where I think traction starts.

2. Find Small Validation Loops

Validation doesn’t mean building the whole thing, it means finding signals that the problem matters, and that your idea might work.

In the Blue Economy, traction can take different forms:

• A fisherman willing to pilot your idea, even on paper.

• An NGO or marina manager who says: “We’d pay for that.”

• A local regulation or subsidy that makes your solution more viable.

• A university lab or incubator keen to collaborate.

Your goal here isn’t scale, it’s signal. Something real that tells you (and others): “This is worth more time".

A quick landing page, a prototype sketch, or even a single conversation with a potential partner can unlock the next step. Never underestimate the power of connections.

Try this in your spare time. Don’t overthink it. Even 1–2 hours a week can build momentum.

And if you hit a dead end? That’s progress too, it frees you up to focus on a better problem. FAILING IS GOOD.

3. Build Around Constraints, Not Perfection

Most early founders wait too long for “the right time.” But in reality, most Blue Economy ventures start despite constraints, not because everything is in place.

You might not have:

• A full-time team

• A technical co-founder

• R&D grants or a working prototype

That’s fine. What you do have is more important: a starting point, a network (even if small), and a sense of urgency around a problem worth solving.

Use what’s available:

• Tap into local knowledge, talk to people working on coastlines, ports, or conservation.

• Reuse tools, low-code platforms, open hardware designs, public data sources.

• Leverage your job, can you test your idea within your current role, sector, or community?

Perfection slows you down. Progress compounds when you act with the resources you already have.

"If you're not embarrassed by the first version of your product, you've launched too late" - Reid Hoffman

4. Talk to People in the Arena

Most of the insight into the BE (and opportunity) comes from real conversations with people at the coalface (or seabed, as it were).

Start small:

• Reach out to local NGOs, fishers, marine scientists, port authorities, dive schools.

• Ask what their biggest headaches are. What’s broken? What’s inefficient? What’s being overlooked?

• If you’re not in a coastal region, connect with founders or operators via LinkedIn, accelerators, or forums like Sustainable Ocean Alliance or OceanHub Africa.

You don’t need to pitch. Just listen.

Founders consistently say their most valuable insights, and even first customers or partners, came from early, humble conversations. These chats often unlock surprising pivot points, or validate that your idea actually matters.

“I’m working on an idea in [X]. You seem really experienced in this space. Mind if I ask you a few questions?” BE CURIOUS.

Those 15-minute calls could shape everything.

5. Don’t Obsess Over Funding Too Early

When you’re just starting out, it’s tempting to jump straight into pitch decks, grant applications, or hunting down VCs. But the truth is: money doesn’t solve the early-stage problem. Clarity does.

If you’re pre-traction and pre-team, focus on this:

• Can you clearly explain the problem you’re solving and why it matters?

• Do the people who face this problem care enough to want a solution?

• Can you sketch out a lightweight version of your idea that someone would try, pay for, or partner with?

Build lean. Spend weekends validating. Tinker. Use no-code tools or partnerships to test your concept. If and when the traction comes, funding will follow.

And in the Blue Economy, capital can come from creative sources: development agencies, philanthropies, accelerators, corporate partners, or climate-focused funds.

6. Anchor Yourself to a Bigger ‘Why’

Startups are hard. Blue Economy startups are even harder... long timelines, unsexy infrastructure, uncertain regulation, and customers who may be fragmented across coastlines or islands (or the world).

So your ‘why’ matters more than ever.

Whether it’s fighting plastic waste, electrifying off-grid fishing villages, protecting reefs, or decarbonising port logistics, you need a mission bigger than just “making money.” It’s that clarity of purpose that keeps you going when things get messy (which they will).

Importantly, a strong mission also helps:

• Attract aligned co-founders and early team members

• Communicate clearly with funders and stakeholders

• Stay resilient when traction takes longer than expected

Just make sure it’s rooted in real user needs and not just vibes. A mission without a viable product is charity. A product without a mission is just noise.

7. Just Start (and Keep Going)

There’s no perfect time to build something, but now might be as good as it gets.

Tech is moving exponentially fast. Distribution is global. Funding channels are opening up. And AI is lowering the cost of doing things solo. If you’ve got a hunch, a concept, or a potential wedge, don’t wait for permission.

Start small:

• A 1-page explainer

• A Notion deck

• A chat with a domain expert

• A landing page to test demand

Then keep going. One step a week is enough to build serious momentum over 3–6 months. You’ll either evolve the idea, validate demand, or learn why it’s not the one.

Hard is good. It means what you’re building might matter.

And if you’re solving real problems in the ocean economy — energy, food, pollution, shipping, data, or infrastructure, you’re not just building a startup. You’re shaping the future of the planet.

Have a blessed weekend

OTI - H