O Ocean Forum - managing body of the Portuguese Blue Economy Cluster, and the World Ocean Initiative, from The Economist Group, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote, through the Hub Azul Dealroom digital platform (https://hubazuldealroom.forumoceano.pt/intro), a sustainable Blue Economy ecosystem that promotes innovation and investment globally.
The aim of this MOU is to express the commitment of both parties to identify and support opportunities that contribute to the development of a sustainable blue economy. This "knowledge-partnership" represents a significant step towards tackling the most pressing challenges facing the oceans through collaborative efforts.
The Hub Azul Dealroom is the first digital platform designed to quickly map Blue Economy business information and match startups, SMEs and investors. The Dealroom has already registered more than 1,200 startups (with more than 1,800 investment rounds), around 2,600 investors and more than 120 large companies. The platform's website also reveals that 1,631 funding rounds have already taken place.
As a Knowledge Partner, the World Ocean Initiative (WOI) will collaborate with the Ocean Forum in the development and promotion of the Hub Azul Dealroom digital platform. This initiative, managed by Fórum Oceano and funded by the EU Next Generation - Portugal's Recovery and Resilience Plan, serves as a cornerstone to encourage ESG investment in the construction of a business model for Portugal's Blue Economy Cluster and the Hub Azul.
WOI will also provide consultancy support, without financial commitments, for the development of the Blue Hub network, including advice on business missions, activities such as events and programmes, refining the business model and establishing new relevant relationships. The Ocean Forum, for its part, will support WOI's efforts to transition to a sustainable blue economy. The next Economist Impact's World Ocean Summit returns to Lisbon in March 2024.
Ruben Eiras, Secretary General of Fórum Oceano: "This MoU marks a crucial moment in our collective efforts to provide better information, content and intelligence to entrepreneurs and investors who are focused on promoting a true blue ESG economy. By joining forces with The Economist Impact's WOI, we aim to unlock new opportunities and set a global benchmark for innovative solutions in all sectors of the blue economy, establishing business models that are both profitable and generate an “environmental surplus” for ocean ecosystems.".
Tatiana Der Avedissian, head of business development at The Economist Impact's World Ocean Initiative (WOI): “WOI has championed the need to close the investment gap in ocean innovation through the annual World Ocean Summit and the 2022 World Ocean Tech and Innovation Summit. We believe this is a crucial factor in accelerating the transition to a sustainable blue economy. The Hub Azul Dealroom is a great initiative that will support this goal and we are happy to support this endeavour as a Knowledge Partner.".
This collaboration between the Ocean Forum and WOI represents a shared commitment to driving positive change in the global blue economy and sets the tone for innovative and sustainable practices that aim to shape the future of our oceans.