Post #77: Lisbon’s Blue Economy Ecosystem
- henry belfiori
- Aug 14
- 4 min read
G'day!
I was in Lisbon this weekend, half working, half exploring, and by chance ended up staying a few doors down from the Unicorn Factory Lisboa in Beato (see below). I thought to see it as a symbol of how much this city is backing innovation, not just in AI and fintech, but also in the Blue Economy.
Portugal has a unique edge: deep ocean access, ambitious net-zero goals, and growing alignment between science, policy, and entrepreneurship. The country saw a 20% increase in blue tech startups between 2021–2024, with Lisbon emerging as a key hub for both R&D and commercial pilot activity. The national Ocean Strategy 2021–2030 also outlines over €500M in public and EU funding for sustainable ocean industries, spanning energy, aquaculture, mobility, and nature restoration.
I’ve been slowly mapping the local support ecosystem for Blue Economy founders, from accelerators and testbeds to public grants and pilot partners.
This post is just a short spotlight, not a deep dive, but hopefully useful if you’re thinking about Lisbon as a place to build or expand.
Accelerators & Start-up Support Hubs
Lisbon’s startup scene has rapidly matured over the past decade, and the Blue Economy is starting to carve out space within its broader tech ecosystem. While the sector is still nascent compared to fintech or SaaS, there’s growing interest from impact accelerators, ocean-focused programmes, and public-private initiatives.
Some standout hubs and programmes include:
Located in the Beato Creative Hub - where this blog was accidentally penned next door, Unicorn Factory Lisboa is the city’s flagship scale-up initiative. While not ocean-specific, it provides soft-landing and support for startups in areas like clean tech, mobility, and smart cities, with increasing crossover into the Blue Economy.
Launched by Forum Oceano, Bluetech Accelerator connects maritime startups with industry partners, public authorities, and investors across Europe. It runs vertical calls (e.g., port decarbonisation, sustainable fisheries) and leverages Portugal’s unique coastal infrastructure for pilots.
MARE START supports early-stage ventures and research spinouts focused on marine sciences, ocean literacy, and climate resilience. Linked to MARE Centre, it blends academic research with applied innovation.
Lisbon-based innovation consultancy Beta-i runs open innovation programmes with corporates and public agencies. Their past and upcoming ocean-focused cohorts bring together startups with challenges around shipping, offshore energy, and coastal infrastructure.
EU-Backed Incubators & Hubs
Several EU-funded initiatives have created space for ocean ventures in Lisbon, including:
Tip: Even if a programme isn’t “ocean-only,” climate tech, energy transition, and smart city accelerators in Lisbon increasingly welcome coastal and maritime innovation.
Testbeds, R&D Hubs & Pilot Zones
Lisbon is seems to be turning into a hotspot for Blue Economy testbeds, from aquaculture and robotics to port decarbonisation and marine biodiversity monitoring.
At the heart of it is the Lisbon Atlantic International Research Centre (AIR Centre) and partnerships like +ATLANTIC CoLAB, which bridge marine science with commercial experimentation. Meanwhile, the Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) provides data access and infrastructure for ocean-climate research and offshore aquaculture pilots.
For startups looking to test and validate technologies, some key assets include:
Lisbon Naval Base (Alfeite): Occasionally used for autonomous vessel and robotics testing, in partnership with academia.
Peniche Ocean Living Lab: About an hour north of Lisbon, it’s a recognised experimentation zone for wave energy, aquaculture and coastal restoration.
WavEC Offshore Renewables (Lisbon-based): Supports offshore wind, wave, and floating solar projects with modelling, permitting, and pilot support.
Forum Oceano’s Testbed Network: Includes access to Testbed Azul and other sites for validating blue tech and sustainable fisheries solutions across Portugal.
Lisbon is also home to several maritime-focused universities and research nodes, including Instituto Superior Técnico and Nova School of Science and Technology, both of which are increasingly involved in deep tech ventures and spinouts.
For early-stage founders, tapping into this network can give you access not just to testing space, but also scientific validation and grant consortia.
Funding, Grants & Public Support
Lisbon and Portugal more broadly are increasingly active in supporting Blue Economy ventures through public funding and grant schemes. According to the OECD, Portugal’s Blue Economy contributes around 4.9% of national GDP and supports over 135,000 jobs, making it a high-priority area for investment. The country has also committed over €252 million to Blue Economy initiatives under the 2021–2027 EMFAF (European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund).
Lisbon-based founders can tap into both local and EU-backed opportunities — particularly if they’re working in sustainable fisheries, marine conservation, ocean renewables, or circular economy sectors. Programs often require partnerships with academia or public entities, but they remain a strong channel for non-dilutive early-stage support.
Relevant Funding & Support Sources:
Blue Bioeconomy Pact – €133M in private+public co-investment via Portugal’s Recovery & Resilience Plan (PRR)
EMFAF Portugal 2021–2027 – €252M for fisheries, aquaculture, marine ecosystems
ANI (Agência Nacional de Inovação) – National grants and R&D vouchers for startups and SMEs
Startup Portugal – Includes access to +200 national and international funding opportunities
Corporates, Institutions & Industry Anchors
Lisbon’s Blue Economy isn’t just about startups, it’s backed by some of Portugal’s largest public and private players with an interest in sustainable ocean development.
Galp, Portugal’s energy major, has been active in ocean renewables and is piloting offshore wind projects in partnership with EDP. The Portuguese Navy, based at the Lisbon Naval Base, also plays a growing role in ocean innovation, working with civilian researchers on marine surveillance and dual-use technologies.
Research institutions like Instituto Hidrográfico and MARE (Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre) are also headquartered in the region, offering partnership pathways for early-stage ventures seeking marine data, scientific validation, or environmental assessment.
Key Ecosystem Anchors:
Final Thoughts – Momentum and Real Opportunity
Lisbon isn’t shouting about its Blue Economy credentials, but the pieces are coming together. There’s growing interest from both public and private actors, real infrastructure being put to use, and a startup base that’s starting to pay attention to the ocean space.
Like many ecosystems, it’s still fragmented. But the ingredients are here: testbeds, accelerators, R&D, and a government pushing for more sustainable maritime activity. If you’re building in the sector or looking for a landing point in Europe, Lisbon is increasingly worth keeping on your radar.
Possibly moving to Lisbon in September, keep in the loop!
Warm wishes
OTI - H
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