Blue economy pioneers across the Baltic Sea and beyond – welcome to 4th A’Pelago Initiative: A vital forum for Blue Economy builders.
Change begins with people. It begins with those who care deeply about the future of our Seas, who choose to collaborate across sectors and borders, and who have the courage to create solutions where none yet exist.
We are not separate from the ocean. We are part of the same shared ecosystem. Every river, bay, and sea connects us, and our actions shape its future just as its health shapes ours.
United by responsibility, curiosity, and determination, we come together to build a more resilient and thriving Blue Economy. On August 19–20, 2026, over 300 entrepreneurs, business leaders, investors, researchers, NGOs, and innovators will gather to turn ideas into impact. This year, the theme focuses on From Ocean Literacy to Action and Bridging the Finance Gap.
Expect inspiring keynotes, hands-on workshops, meaningful networking, and pitches emerging directly from the Baltic Sea, across sectors such as Marine Biomaterials, Blue Food & Cosmetics, Ocean Resilience, Ocean Data & Tech, and Maritime Solutions.
Time: 19.-20.8.2026
Venue: Ruissalo Boatyard, Turku, Finland
Address: Hevoskarintie 23, 20100 Turku, Finland
Tickets
Note: This is a paid event, and tickets are now available for purchase. Seats reserved for maritime leaders, solution providers, startups and investors.
Tickets available here.
Programme
Day 1 (19.8.) From Ocean Literacy to Action
10:00-11:30 A’Pelago Initiative main stage program
11:30-12:00 Lunch, Booths & Matchmaking
12:00-13:00 Panel. Decarbonising Shipping, building blue futures
- Speakers: Karno Tenovuo (Awake.AI), Pasi Panula (Wärtsilä), Burkhard D. Sommer (PwC Germany)
13:00-14:00 Workshop: AI for Ocean by Netlight
14:00-17:00 A’Pelago Initiative main stage program
- Case Elomatic & Origin by Ocean: Engineering the Blue Transition Together – Scaling Marine Bio-Based Chemicals
- Speakers: Karoliina Joensuu (Elomatic) & Mari Granström (ObO)
- Industry Panel: Corporate Venturing & Spin-offs
- Speakers: Mikko Nikkanen (Vaisala),Tero-Seppo Tuomela (Elomatic), Brian Huff (Sandvik) and Panu Routila (Patria)
19:00 Networking Dinner, art, band, and afterparty
- *Dinner tickets are sold separately
Day 2 (20.8.) From Funding Gap to Innovative Solutions
9:40-10:30 A’Pelago main stage program:
- Keynote: Innovations & Systems Disruptors
- Speaker: Lauri Reuter (Nordic Food Tech VC)
- Panel. Balancing Return, Risk and Impact
- Speakers: Natalie Mangondo (GRID-Arendal), Sagar Tandon (Beyond Impact VC), Jaani Pietikäinen (EIB), Klas Johansen (Redstone Blue VC), Simona Chiavassa (Monaco Asset Management SAM, ReOcean Fund)
10:30-11:30 Pitch Challenge Category I – Marine Biomaterials
11:30-12:30 Lunch, Booths & Matchmaking
11:30-12:15 Workshops: AI Intelligence and Matchmaking
12:30 Pitch Challenge Category II–IV: Blue Food, Ocean Tech & Maritime Solutions
16:20 Pitch Challenge Award Ceremony
New: Matchmaking tool available on both days
Around 350 dedicated entrepreneurs, business leaders, investors, researchers, NGOs, decision-makers, and specialists will gather to accelerate the Blue Economy. Over two dynamic days, we will demonstrate how coastal regions bridge knowledge and finance to drive Blue Economy action.
Inquiries
Sini Toivonen
Event Producer & Business Partners
A’Pelago
sini@apelago.fi