Hatch Blue to launch third aquaculture-focused accelerator program

Aquaculture startup accelerator Hatch Blue is set to take its third global cohort to Hawaii and plans to expand the program through more investment and location offerings as well as more industry and investor connections.

Photo credit: Asc1733

Running from August 26 to December 5, the company’s 2019 program will offer each successful applicant around US$111,000, which will be given 50% in cash and 50% in kind. Hatch Blue will also offer the chosen 10 to 14 startups access to a global aquaculture network, testing facilities, mentoring sessions, and exposure to relevant industry figures.

Interested startups may apply for the program until mid-July.

The third cohort will start at the Hawaiian Ocean Science and Technology Park, a hub for aquaculture innovation administered by the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority (NELHA).

“The world-class facilities at NELHA offer perfect conditions for fast prototyping and iterating innovative ideas,” said Hatch Blue CEO Carsten Krome in a statement.

From Hawaii, the program will move to Hatch Blue’s current headquarters in Bergen, Norway, to benefit from its aquaculture ecosystem. After Norway, the company said it will take the cohort to Singapore to leverage the city-state’s close proximity to aquaculture markets and suppliers as well as its access to Asia-focused venture capital.