Turku opens the route to the global Blue Economy – The city of Turku (Finland) is preparing to host the third edition of the A’Pelago initiative on August 20–21, 2025—an international forum that is shaping the future of the Blue Economy in the Baltic Sea. More than just an event, it’s an operational meeting point for those rethinking the ocean economy through a regenerative lens, starting from Northern Europe and reaching across the globe.
With over 300 participants from more than ten countries, A’Pelago is reaffirming its role as one of Europe’s leading platforms connecting science, business, and impact-driven capital. The theme for the 2025 edition, “The Ocean Starts Here”, serves both as a warning and a shared vision: change begins in local territories, even those that may seem peripheral, like the Finnish archipelago.
Finland as a Laboratory for Scalable Solutions
The Blue Economy in the Baltic Sea is not just a concept—it’s already underway. The fragility of the Baltic basin—one of the most vulnerable and human-impacted in the world—has turned the region into a testing ground for technologies and models that can be scaled globally. The dual objective: to support coastal economies while regenerating marine ecosystems.
It’s no coincidence that Turku will be the launch site for two new investment funds: the Redstone Blue Fund I, targeting local startups, and BluKap.vc, a global Series A fund. These are concrete tools to fuel the growth of innovative businesses working in areas such as maritime logistics decarbonization, sustainable aquaculture, port digitalization, and marine plastic recovery.
The Strategic Role of Science-Driven Entrepreneurship
At the heart of A’Pelago lies science-based entrepreneurship. It’s not just about visionary ideas—it’s about operational ventures seeking visibility, synergies, and access to capital. The second day will be entirely dedicated to investors and startups, featuring a Pitch Challenge awarding €25,000 to the most promising proposal. It’s a dynamic environment where not just ideas but real-world implementation are rewarded.
Alongside plenary sessions and international panels, A’Pelago will host thematic workshops and informal gatherings where connections evolve into collaborations. “Anyone with a connection to the sea, whether for work or passion, shares responsibility for its future,” says Alina Sippolainen, Blue Economy & Ecosystem Advisor.
An Exportable Format, a Shared Vision
The initiative’s reach goes beyond Finland’s borders. The A’Pelago model is rooted in co-creation, multidisciplinarity, and measurable impact. It’s a call to action that also speaks to Mediterranean contexts, where the ocean economy demands to be reimagined with equal urgency.
The Mediterranean, like the Baltic, is a closed, fragile, and densely populated sea. Solutions developed in Northern Europe can inspire adapted models for our region: smart port networks, sustainable coastal development plans, more resilient and circular seafood value chains.
A’Pelago 2025 demonstrates that investing in the Blue Economy in the Baltic Sea is not just a regional strategy but a global commitment to the planet’s future. The challenge is global—but the action is local. From Nordic sensibility, actionable visions can emerge and be brought to Italian seas, Mediterranean ports, and businesses bold enough to blend economy with regeneration.
The ocean doesn’t wait: now is the time to build meaningful alliances, capable of uniting innovation and tradition.
Turku opens the route to the global Blue Economy
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