A scientific venture building program dedicated to the valorization of blue deep tech research results and their transition to market.
Hub Azul is launching its first Venture Building program focused on blue deep tech. Over the course of 10 weeks, selected research projects will work alongside specialists, mentors, and investors to transform intellectual property into commercial initiatives and potential spin-offs.
Why the Blue Economy needs new pathways from science to market
The Blue Economy stands at the center of some of the greatest challenges of our time: decarbonization, energy transition, marine ecosystem protection, sustainable logistics, responsible coastal tourism, and marine biotechnology.
Despite Portugal’s strong scientific potential, many technologies remain in an intermediate space between the laboratory and the market, without access to pilots, customers, or investment.
What is Hub Azul Venture Building Program?
Hub Azul Venture Building is a program designed to create real conditions for research projects to advance toward pilots, customers, and investment. It operates as a scientific Startup Studio focused on:
Identifying and mapping intellectual property with commercial potential in the Blue Economy
Supporting research teams in scientific entrepreneurship while preserving their academic mission
Structuring spin-offs, pilots, and proof-of-concept initiatives with industrial partners and investors- Connecting the Hub Azul Network to a continuous pipeline of blue innovation with economic, social, and environmental impact
Who is the program for?
The program will support up to 10 research projects selected from universities, polytechnics, and R&D centers within the Hub Azul Network.
It is aimed at researchers and R&D teams with:
- Research results with application potential in the Blue Economy
- Work developed in areas such as decarbonization, circular economy, marine biotechnology, aquaculture, port logistics, maritime tourism, or coastal systems digitalization
- An interest in exploring the path to market without compromising their scientific career
What the program offers participants
- Structured IP mapping
Identification screening and assessment of technologies with market potential - 10-week Startup Studio
Modular sprints focused on customer discovery business modeling prototyping regulation IP strategy and pitching - Mentorship and network
Access to experts in technology regulation intellectual property entrepreneurship and investment - Connection to Blue Economy partners
Fórum Oceano Hub Azul poles companies and investors - Spin-off pathway
Preparation for incubation acceleration pilots and funding rounds
Hub Azul Venture Building Journey
Applications
Feb 18 – Mar 20
Evaluation and Selection
Mar 23 – Apr 9
A multidisciplinary committee evaluates each project based on:
– Customer Readiness CRL;
– Technology Readiness TRL;
– Business Market Readiness BRL;
– IP Readiness IPRL;
– Team Readiness TMRL;
– Funding Readiness FRL;
– Team Motivation and Availability.
Up to 10 projects will be selected to join the Startup Studio.
Startup Studio
10 weeks
Apr 16 – Jun 18
Teams will follow a modular program including:
– Customer discovery and problem validation individual mentoring synchronous session and independent work;
– Business model and value proposition design synchronous session and independent work;
– Prototyping and MVP definition hands on session and online session;
– Regulatory and intellectual property strategy online session with expert;
– Pitch preparation and pilot design with partners mentoring synchronous session and practical workshop.
The program concludes with a final in person event focused on connecting projects with strategic stakeholders and potential partners for follow up initiatives.
Follow-up Actions
Includes strategic advisory sessions and delivery of a Continuity Playbook with practical guidelines for future project development.
it amplifies its impact.
Hub Azul Venture Building is designed for researchers who:
- Seek to see their results applied in real world contexts;
- Wish to reduce the risks associated with entrepreneurship;
- Need a structured pathway to transform scientific knowledge into impact.
- The pace is compatible with academic schedules;
- The focus remains on valorizing scientific work;
- Intellectual property is handled professionally, protecting and enhancing existing knowledge.
A national network serving blue innovation
The program is promoted within the Hub Azul Network, a national infrastructure dedicated to the Blue Economy, comprising 8 poles distributed across Portugal.
Participation in the program connects projects to:
Specialized laboratories
Incubation and acceleration spaces
Companies within the maritime cluster
A growing network of Ocean and Climate Tech investors
Ready to take the next step?
Projects, patents, or research results with the potential to transform the Blue Economy are invited to apply to Hub Azul Venture Building and explore, in a structured and supported way, the journey from science to market.