
Duration
5 weeksWeekly study
6 hoursLanguages
English, Italiano, Español, Français, PortuguêsEnglish, Italiano, Español100% online
How it worksDigital upgrade
Free
Blue Biotechnology Entrepreneurship and Careers: Innovation to Impact
This course has been certified by the CPD Certification Service as conforming to continuing professional development principles. Find out more.
Turn marine science into business opportunity in the growing blue biotech sector
What if the ocean held the key to tomorrow’s medicines, clean energy, and sustainable products? This course explores the exciting world of blue biotechnology, where marine science meets entrepreneurship and career opportunity.
You’ll discover what makes marine organisms like seaweed and microalgae so valuable, explore the markets they’re transforming, and learn how to turn scientific innovation into real businesses that help build a sustainable blue economy.
Marine biotech fundamentals: from ocean to application
Find out why marine organisms are biotech gold. From pharmaceuticals to cosmetics to clean energy, you’ll explore the science behind these ocean-based innovations and what makes them so promising.
You’ll understand the biological resources available and the technical principles that underpin marine biotechnology applications.
Building your blue biotech business and career
Whether you want to launch your own startup or join the growing blue biotech sector, you’ll develop the business skills you need, from protecting your ideas with intellectual property strategies to pitching to investors and marketing your innovations.
You’ll connect with industry experts and explore where your career could go in this expanding field.
From lab to market: making marine innovation sustainable
Learn about investment opportunities, market trends, and what it takes to bring marine biotech products from concept to commercial success.
You’ll understand how to develop business strategies that balance innovation with sustainability, ensuring your venture contributes positively to the blue economy whilst achieving business goals.
Syllabus
Week 1
Introduction to Blue Biotechnology & key organisms
Getting started
This activity introduces you to the course structure and team. You'll explore key articles, introduce yourself to fellow learners, learn how to engage with the content effectively for a smoother learning experience.
Introduction to Blue Biotechnology and key organisms
We will examine the foundations of blue biotechnology. What it is, why it matters, and which key organisms power this field.
Market dynamics and commercialisation
This session focuses on the market dynamics shaping the blue biotechnology sector, key market players, and commercialisation strategies that have successfully translated biotechnological research into profitable ventures.
Week 2
Blue Biotechnology Business & Entrepreneurship
From concept to growth: Structuring a business for success
In this activity, we look at key concepts like business cases, business models, and sustainability, with real-world examples to help understand value creation in the sector.
From Challenges to Solutions: Navigating the business pathway in Blue Biotechnology
This session covers the main stages of starting a blue biotech company, from concept and prototype to market launch. It also addresses strategy, common challenges, and key factors for success.
Building a Sustainable Business: Funding, growth, and investment in Blue Biotechnology
This session will look at funding options for blue biotech startups, including venture capital, grants, and angel investment. We will also discuss ways to attract investors, plan your finances, and measure your market impact.
Building a strong operational foundation for Blue Biotech companies
This session explores the unique working environments of blue biotech companies, including the technological, logistical, and regulatory frameworks that influence daily operations and long-term strategic planning.
Week 3
Technological Processes in Blue Biotechnology
Technological innovation in Blue Bioeconomy
In this session, we look at how technological advancements in blue biotechnology are playing a pivotal role and leading the development of sustainable solutions.
Bioremediation and environmental applications
This session covers how blue biotechnology uses microorganisms and enzymes for environmental restoration and pollution control, along with supporting business models.
Marine Bioprospecting: Unlocking new opportunities
This session explores marine biodiversity for commercial use in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and other industries, discussing the ethical implications and innovative business models supporting sustainable exploitation.
Week 4
Driving product innovation, bioenergy & intellectual property in Blue Biotechnology
Core products and innovation in Blue Biotechnology
This session introduces products and applications in Blue Biotechnology, including pharmaceuticals from marine sources and bioactive compounds. It also covers how aquaculture and genetic engineering advance industry capabilities.
Bioenergy and sustainable solutions
This session explores the emerging area of bioenergy within blue biotechnology, examining how algae are being harnessed to produce sustainable energy solutions, along with the technological advancements driving these initiatives.
Intellectual property rights in blue biotechnology
This session highlights the importance of intellectual property rights in protecting innovations and driving commercial success. It covers the basics of patent law, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets.
From discovery to commercialisation
This session looks at a fictitious case study about intellectual property rights in the Blue Biotechnology sector.
Week 5
Skills, careers & collaboration in the Blue Bioeconomy
Skill development for Blue Biotech careers
This session highlights key technical and soft skills for blue biotechnology roles, from research to regulatory affairs and commercialisation, preparing students for careers in the sector.
Leadership dynamics
This session covers key leadership skills for growing blue biotech businesses, including strategy, crisis management, and fostering innovation amid the unique challenges of the blue bioeconomy.
Training opportunities in the Blue Bioeconomy
In this section, we explore the training opportunities in the Blue Bioeconomy.
Career pathways and opportunities in the Blue Biotechnology
This session explores the vast array of opportunities and career pathways available in blue biotechnology, focusing on how emerging technologies and market trends open new avenues for entrepreneurs in blue bioeconomy.
Industry-academia collaboration
This session highlights how collaboration between students, universities, and industry in blue biotechnology bridges the gap between study and real-world application, through partnerships, joint ventures, and internships.
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Develop knowledge about blue biotechnology, its key organisms, and their applications in emerging industries.
- Explore how to analyse market dynamics, commercialisation pathways, and conduct market research for startups.
- Investigate key technological processes in blue biotechnology, including bioremediation, bioprospecting, and biorefineries.
- Evaluate product innovation, sustainable solutions, and the role of intellectual property in protecting new ideas.
- Perform skills in entrepreneurship by developing business cases, business models, and strategies for financing, operations, and growth.
- Explore career development in the blue bioeconomy, focusing on technical and soft skills, leadership, and industry-academia collaboration.
Who is the course for?
This course is ideal for entrepreneurs, researchers, scientists, and professionals who want to innovate in marine biotechnology and the blue economy—or anyone curious about where ocean science and business intersect.
Who will you learn with?
I am a European Projects Manager at the Pôle Mer Bretagne Atlantique. With a background in European affairs and higher education, I support blue economy innovation in northwestern France.
I am Diana and I am dedicated to advancing the blue bioeconomy at BLUEBIO ALLIANCE. With a PhD in Animal Science, I have extensive R&D project management experience and have published three articles.
I hold a PhD in sustainability and am passionate about driving awareness for a greener future. At SUBMARINER, I am doing the communications for EU-funded projects focusing on blue bioeconomy.
I am the founder of Umoyalife & project manager for Blue Economy initiatives with a background in sustainable business management and environmental economics. The ocean is my beloved paradise.
I am a researcher and lecturer at the University of Gdańsk and Head of the Culture Collection of Baltic Algae, specialising in microalgae physiology, ecotoxicology, and biomass production.
Founder and CEO of Blue-jobs, a talent consultancy specialised in blue-economy sectors. Oceanographer with over 15 years of experience in EU funding, the blue economy, and blue skills and careers.
University of Gdańsk & University of Southern Denmark
The University of Gdańsk is a modern and dynamic Polish university offering education across a diverse range of disciplines. It combines academic tradition with innovation across its campuses in Gdańsk, Sopot, and Gdynia. The University of Southern Denmark is a leading institution known for excellence in research, innovation, and collaboration with industry and public partners.
What's included?
SUBMARINER Network for Blue Growth are offering everyone who joins this course a free digital upgrade, so that you can experience the full benefits of studying online for free. This means that you get:
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
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