Mediterranean Algae wins the BlueInvest Awards 2026 and positions itself as new climate infrastructure for European ports
Brussels, March 5, 2026.
Mediterranean Algae, an Alicante-based blue biotechnology company, has been recognized with a double award at the BlueInvest Awards 2026 — Europe’s leading blue economy investment programme: the Ocean Bioresources category prize, awarded by a jury of specialized investors, and the People’s Choice Award, granted by public vote during the ceremony held on March 3 at the Royal Library of Belgium.
The awards were presented by Charlina Vitcheva, Director-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries at the European Commission, at the BlueInvest Days — the EU BlueInvest community’s main annual gathering, connecting innovative blue economy companies with international investors.
The Ocean Bioresources category recognizes innovations that harness marine biological resources sustainably, including new technologies in marine biotechnology, aquaculture, circular systems, and solutions contributing to food security, health, and ecological balance.
The Ocean Bioresources jury, composed of European investors specialized in climate technology and the blue economy, included:
- Jon Trygve Berg, Partner – Sarsia
- Clémentine Pecastaing, Investment Director – GO Capital
- Monica Puccetti, Head of Impact / ESG & Investment Manager – Infinity Recycling
- Willemijn de Boer, Senior Investment Associate – Convent Capital
- Sol Park, Principal – Hatch Blue
- Jean-François Trecco, Co-Founder & General Partner – BluKap VC
Algae-Based Climate Infrastructure for Ports and Coastal Ecosystems
Mediterranean Algae develops algae-based climate infrastructure to monitor, regenerate, and valorize water pollution in ports, aquaculture, and coastal infrastructure.
The company’s technology combines three layers:
- Detection and prevention, through real-time water quality monitoring systems
- Regeneration, through algae biofilters capable of removing up to 95% of nitrates and phosphates
- Valorization, transforming pollutant nutrients into high-value biomass for the cosmetics industry
This model turns an environmental problem into a revenue stream through a circular system that integrates bioremediation as a service, environmental monitoring, and marine biotechnology.
Aligned with the New European Strategy for Ports
The recognition comes at a particularly relevant moment for the European maritime sector. On March 4, 2026, the European Commission also presented its new EU Ports Strategy — a roadmap designed to strengthen the competitiveness, security, and sustainability of European ports, promoting measures including digitalization, environmental monitoring, and Smart Port development.
In this context, the solutions developed by Mediterranean Algae Technologies directly align with European strategic priorities, combining advanced water quality monitoring with nature-based environmental regeneration systems.
An Investment Opportunity in the Blue Economy
After validating its technology and deploying its first pilot projects in Spain, the company is now in an international scaling phase. The double recognition at the BlueInvest Awards strengthens Mediterranean Algae’s positioning as one of Europe’s most promising scale-ups in climate infrastructure for marine ecosystems.
“This award confirms that we are facing an opportunity to transform water pollution management in ports and coastal ecosystems. Europe needs new climate infrastructure, and we believe algae will be an essential part of that transition,” said Yago Sierras, CEO and co-founder of Mediterranean Algae.
About Mediterranean Algae
Mediterranean Algae is an Alicante-based blue biotechnology company developing algae-based climate infrastructure for water quality monitoring and regeneration in ports, aquaculture, and coastal infrastructure. Its circular model closes industrial cycles by valorizing marine biomass into ingredients for the cosmetics, nutraceutical, and animal health industries.
Website: www.mediterraneanalgae.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mediterranean-algae/
