14.5.2025
Åbo Akademi University and A’Pelago partner to drive blue economy and sustainable development in the Baltic Sea region
A’Pelago is an organisation based in Southwest Finland that fosters entrepreneurship and innovation within the blue economy. The goal is to build networks and support businesses, technologies, and business models that drive entrepreneurship in the Archipelago Sea and throughout the Baltic Sea region.
Blue economy refers to the sustainable use of marine resources to foster economic growth while safeguarding and preserving marine ecosystems.
This includes, for example, aquatech—technologies for the sustainable management of water resources—along with sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, marine renewable energy such as offshore wind, wave, and tidal power, pollution control, and other innovations that support both ocean health and economic development.
In Europe alone, the blue economy is valued at over €620 billion, presenting significant opportunities for growth and development. A’Pelago has set an ambitious goal of launching 30 new blue economy startups in the Baltic Sea region over the next five years through its business accelerator.
“For those of us living in the archipelago, the challenges facing the Baltic Sea are deeply personal. My colleague Timo Ketonen and I recognised that we could contribute to a healthier ocean by drawing on our experience in entrepreneurship and our international network of companies and investors. Bringing together entrepreneurs, researchers, and capital for concrete action to benefit the Baltic Sea felt like a natural step,” says Patrik Anckar, co-founder of A’Pelago.
Åbo Akademi University, and specifically the Centre for Sustainable Ocean Science (SOS) is one of A’Pelago’s key partners.
Åbo Akademi University has a long-standing tradition of marine research. Research on the sea is one of the University’s key research profiling areas, aimed at developing solutions for the sustainable coexistence of modern societies and the sea. The Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Ocean Science (SOS) utilises the Archipelago Sea and the Åland Archipelago as a living laboratory to explore complex issues in the interaction between humans and nature.
“The collaboration with A’Pelago provides us with an excellent opportunity to partner with blue economy stakeholders and actively contribute our research. The blue economy holds great potential for the future. Our research on marine biodiversity and the interaction between society and marine life aims to provide valuable insights for policy-makers, companies, and entrepreneurs in the field,” says Anna-Greta Nyström, Professor of business administration at the School of Business, Economics, and Law at Åbo Akademi University.
A’Pelago will establish its headquarters in the new Astra building at Åbo Akademi University on Piispankatu in Turku—a Blue Economy Centre that will serve as a hub for A’Pelago’s business accelerator. The accelerator supports entrepreneurs, researchers, and start-ups focused on innovations in sustainable development and solutions to maritime challenges.
“The A’Pelago Accelerator, which focuses on the blue economy, is unique to the Baltic Sea region. We have already tested and validated around 20 business concepts and launched five new companies in the archipelago. To foster creativity and new value chains, we need a physical space where research and practice can intersect. This vision comes to life in Astra, where researchers can easily transition into entrepreneurship, and entrepreneurs can connect with the research community,” says Patrik Anckar.
The A’Pelago Initiative 2025 event will be held on 20–21 August 2025 in Turku. It is a forum for the blue economy in the Baltic Sea region, bringing together experts, investors, and innovators to discuss sustainable development in marine business. More information!