Blue Economy ClimAccelerator to bolster 10 early-stage start-ups across Pacific Islands

Fiji, 30 January. EIT Climate-KIC announces the top 10 start-ups selected to participate in the Blue Economy ClimAccelerator in the Pacific Islands programme for its first accelerator to scale up climate solutions in the region. The programme will specifically support innovators that address maritime activities. 

The Blue Economy ClimAccelerator in the Pacific Islands is supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs of Ireland (‘Irish Aid’), and will offer bootcamp and learning sessions, mentorship, and funding by EIT Climate-KIC and its partner organisation Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI). 

The programme will elevate the immense potential of the blue economy for climate mitigation and adaptation through the support of innovators addressing maritime activities such as fisheries, aquaculture, coastal and maritime tourism, desalination, renewable marine energy, maritime transport and infrastructure, waste disposal management or coastal resilience and protection.  

“Not only does it create jobs, but it also really puts enterprises and smaller start-ups at the forefront of creating innovation and supporting green transitions. It’s worth noting the majority of new jobs in developing and emerging economies are created by micro, small and medium enterprises. The entrepreneurs are really the driving force behind it.” said Daniel Muñoz-Smith, GGGI’s Country Representative for Fiji, Kiribati, Tonga and Vanuatu.  

The Blue Economy ClimAccelerator in the Pacific Islands will provide tailored business plan support to start-ups in Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu. 

The selected innovations focus on coral tourism and restoration, ocean waste and recycling, desalination, farming of seaweed and sea cucumber, organic fertilisers, and carbon sequestration mangroves: 

Defiant Robotics (Tonga): creates solar-powered 3D-printed robots collecting ocean waste that is reused in printing more robots.  

GenOrganic (Fiji): is a green enterprise producing organic fertiliser from seaweed, fish meal and other organic materials as a substitute for chemical fertilisers causing leaching into waterways and oceans.  

Haleta Seaweed (Solomon Islands): is a farming enterprise creating job opportunities for the livelihoods of women and youth in rural communities by replanting seaweed while creating a carbon sink. 

Hiri Coral PNG (Papua New Guinea): collaborates with local communities to restore dying and damaged reefs by growing diverse and resilient corals and transplanting them into threatened reefs. 

Howarig Traders (Papua New Guinea): a blockchain payments solution for carbon trading benefits to flow transparently to landowners focusing on mangroves as a greater carbon sink, and forestry. 

Kiribati Blue Marine Solution (Kiribati): provides an affordable, reliable, sustainable desalination technology and solar/wind off-grid system for affected communities and households, and marine vessels. 

Organic Fish + Farm Mariculture Enterprise (Vanuatu): focuses on sustainable harvesting of sea cucumbers through hatchery and farming providing job opportunities for women. 

Samoa Women’s Association of Growers (Samoa): promotes women in agriculture to implement natural farming practices, small business development, and a community of support and knowledge-sharing. 

South Pacific Mozuku Tonga Ltd (Tonga): is a seaweed producer/exporter branching out to seaweed varieties for animal feed (cows) to reduce methane production. 

Vanua Tourism Financial & Business Consultant (Vanuatu): provides services in marine tourism and marine conservation through turtle hatchery, coral and mangrove re-planting for endangered species. 

Blue Economy ClimAccelerator in the Pacific Islands 2023  

The Blue Economy ClimAccelerator in the Pacific Islands was open to Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis & Futuna Pacific Island countries and will be delivered in English. The selected 10 teams will receive bootcamp and learning sessions, mentorship, market and investor linkages, and a grant of up to €5,000 for the implementation of business plans. More information can be found here. 

Looking to the future, EIT Climate-KIC and our partners continue to expand our support for innovation leading to a sustainable blue economy, particularly in areas of high climate vulnerability. If you would like to learn more, please contact David Watt – david.watt@climate-kic.org.