Recruitment underway to Aquaculture Accelerator Programme

Recruitment has begun for this year’s Aquaculture Accelerator Programme (October 5-12) organised by BIM.

The two-week programme managed by the aquaculture accelerator, Hatch, and funded under the European Maritime Fisheries Fund, will take place in the RDI (Research, Development, Innovation) Hub, Killorglin, Co Kerry, in October.

Last year, three businesses that participated in the workshop received capital investment and have joined the Hatch Global Accelerator programme in Hawaii.

“It’s clear that many more concepts and ideas await discovery and development in Ireland, given the right environment, investment and focus,” remarked Richard Donnolly, BIM Development and Innovation Manager.

Access & mentoring

The BIM Aquaculture Accelerator offers access to investors, fin-tech and other specialists and is specifically tailored to the aquaculture sector and is the third such programme since 2018.

Previous businesses have included innovative technologies in salmon cage manufacturing to online trading platforms for aquaculture products.

“We’re excited to partner with BIM once again, to create and drive more opportunity and innovation within the aquaculture sector in Ireland.

“The ultimate aim with this initiative is to grow, develop and support more early stage ideas and talent in what is the fastest growing food sector in the world right now ($230B),” remarked Wayne Murphy, co-founder and COO, Hatch.

Ten Irish start-up businesses will have the opportunity to work directly with and receive mentorship from a global team of experts from aquaculture, fin-tech and marketing disciplines.

Helen Rea, Programme Manager with RDI Hub, said the purpose of RDI Hub was to catalyse innovation and to create high-skilled ICT jobs:

“Achieving these objectives is accelerated through cross-fertilisation of ideas and solutions across sectors. Consequently, partnering with BIM and Hatch on this important initiative is a natural fit for RDI Hub.”