Financing innovations and start-up disruptions

BlueInvest aims to foster innovation and investment in sustainable technologies for the blue economy to deliver the priorities of the EU Green Deal by supporting readiness and access to finance for start-ups, SMEs and scale-ups. This is made possible through the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund. Laurent Probst (PwC Luxembourg, Partner) presented the initiative at the blue innovation dock at boot Düsseldorf.

For members of the blueInvest community, the initiative not only represents an opportunity for companies and investors to get in touch with each other. Events for the 1.558 members also provide learning opportunities, knowledge sharing, networking and B2B matchmaking in formats designed to transform business, build growth capacity and attract investment. Coaching programs for companies and investors are part of the initiative's offerings, as is help in launching funds for the blue economy.

In 2020, the BlueInvest Fund successfully deployed a €75 million EFSI contribution plus €15 million from InnovFin Equity to a number of venture capital funds that will use these guarantees to invest up to €300 million in the blue economy over the next five years.