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Introduction to Blue Bioeconomy Entrepreneurship

Have you ever wondered how marine resources can drive innovation, create businesses, and solve global challenges?

The sea is visibile and its interaction with humans in different Blue Economy sectors.
  • Duration

    4 weeks
  • Weekly study

    7 hours
  • 100% online

    How it works
  • Digital upgrade

    Free

Dive into the Blue

Introduction to Blue Bioeconomy Entrepreneurship isn’t just about theory, it’s about real-world opportunities. It will help you explore how the Blue Bioeconomy can contribute to a healthier ocean and a more sustainable future. Whether you’re a future entrepreneur, curious ocean enthusiast, or just investigating new career paths, this is your opportunity to learn how marine resources can drive innovation, business, and real-world solutions.

Get ready to

• Discover what the Blue Bioeconomy is all about

• Learn how sustainable businesses are built from ocean resources

• Develop creative ideas and an entrepreneurial mindset

• Connect with experts, innovators, and like-minded learners

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    Introduction to the Blue Bioeconomy & Blue Entrepreneurship

    • Getting Started on Your Blue Entrepreneurship Journey

      This session explores how the course connects to a broader learning journey in blue entrepreneurship, introduces the experts and course developers from the Blue Biotechpreneurs project, and offers to meet fellow learners.

    • Introduction to Blue Bioeconomy Entrepreneurship

      This session introduces the Blue Bioeconomy, subsectors, related terminology, and entrepreneurial context.

    • Harnessing Blue Bioeconomy’s Potential

      This session delves into the critical role of the blue bioeconomy in supporting sustainable marine practices and addressing impacts on aquatic ecosystems.

    • EU Initiatives in Support of the Sustainable Blue Economy

      This session highlights EU initiatives to restore ecosystems, cut pollution, support carbon-neutral practices, and boost innovation through cooperation, digital tools, and public engagement for a sustainable Blue Economy.

    • Marine Living Resources & the Role of Blue Biotechnology

      This session explores marine living resources in the Blue Bioeconomy, focusing on marine biodiversity, sustainable use, and innovative applications in blue biotechnology, while identifying new opportunities for marine life.

    • Blue Entrepreneurs & Types of Entrepreneurship

      This session delves into blue entrepreneurship, exploring various types within marine and aquatic sectors, highlighting their unique challenges and opportunities in driving sustainability and innovation in the Blue bioeconomy.

  • Week 2

    Generating & Navigating Blue Bioeconomy Business Ideas

    • Sources of Innovative Business Opportunities in the Blue Bioeconomy

      This section covers idea generation for blue innovators, focusing on blue biotechnology, sustainable marine resources, and collaboration to spark innovation.

    • Real-World Examples from the Aquatic Living Resources Sector

      This session explores how the Blue Bioeconomy leverages aquatic resources like seaweed, algae, and fish for food, feed, and products, driving sustainability, innovation, and economic growth, particularly in coastal communities.

    • Real-World Examples from the Blue Biotechnology Sector

      This session presents blue biotechnology startup cases and highlights sector-specific strategies for uncovering market needs, exploring opportunities, and developing impactful business ideas.

    • The Essentials for a Business

      This session describes the importance of defining a unique value proposition, its impact on the business identity, and how it affects each step of the journey to success.

    • Blue Bioeconomy Stakeholders & Real-World Data

      This session explores blue idea validation and stakeholder engagement, focusing on strategies to assess potential pathways for practical impact and sustainable growth in the Blue Bioeconomy.

    • Blue Regulations, Governance and Policies

      This session delves into the United Nations Law of the Sea, the Nagoya Protocol, and insights about aligning regulations for the growth of the Blue Bioeconomy in the Baltic Sea Basin.

  • Week 3

    The Power of Role Models, Entrepreneurial Mindset & Creativity in the Blue Bioeconomy

    • Cultivating an Entrepreneurial Attitude

      This session equips you with the mindset and skills foundational to navigating and succeeding as entrepreneurs. It focuses on fostering innovation, resilience, and proactive problem-solving in the evolving Blue Bioeconomy.

    • Navigating Setbacks: Building Resilience in Blue Bioeconomy entrepreneurship

      This session empowers aspiring blue entrepreneurs with strategies to overcome the fear of failure. It fosters resilience through practical tools, inspiring case studies, and supportive community engagement in the face of setbacks.

    • Creativity & Innovation in Blue Entrepreneurship

      This session explores harnessing creative thinking and innovation in blue biotechnology, highlighting their roles in driving sustainable growth and learning in the Blue Bioeconomy.

    • Education and Lifelong Learning for Entrepreneurs in the Blue Economy

      This session explores lifelong learning, emphasising its role in personal growth through both formal education and everyday experiences like cooking or using technology.

    • The Importance of Role Models and What it Means to Become One

      This session highlights the importance of role models in fostering entrepreneurial attitudes, innovation, and sustainable development in the Blue Bioeconomy.

    • Key Characteristics of Entrepreneurs

      This session explores key traits and skills for entrepreneurial success, guiding participants to assess their drive and fit for a career in the Blue Bioeconomy.

    • Co-founders and Early Team Members

      This session highlights how to choose co-founders and team members, focusing on strategies to find partners committed to innovation and sustainability in the Blue Bioeconomy.

  • Week 4

    Building a Thriving Business in the Blue Bioeconomy

    • Innovative Business Models in the Blue Economy: Unlocking Entrepreneurial Success

      This session covers business strategies in the Blue Bioeconomy, focusing on sustainable models and skills to leverage opportunities in marine and aquatic environments.

    • Blue Business Model Canvas & Value Proposition

      This session delves into the conceptual structure of blue business models, including the value proposition and business model canvas.

    • Navigating Legal Structures: Tailoring Your Business Setup for the Blue Economy

      This session focuses on selecting the appropriate legal business structure, highlighting the variety and differences of frameworks and rules at the European and National levels.

    • Funding for Blue Entrepreneurs

      This session guides entrepreneurs on funding strategies, exploring the advantages, challenges, and considerations to align financing with values, growth, and sustainability.

    • European Funding Programmes & Projects

      This session delves into the European funding programmes as part of a potential funding mix and explains the basics about European projects.

    • Securing Innovations and Managing Data

      This session covers the basics of intellectual property and data management, key for blue economy entrepreneurs to protect innovations and comply with regulations.

    • From Business Models to Blue Bioeconomy Markets

      This session guides participants in creating a business plan, outlining objectives, market strategies, and financial projections for success in the blue economy.

    • Harnessing the Power of Blue Networks

      This session highlights the role of entrepreneurial ecosystems and networks like BlueBioMatch in accelerating blue economy ventures through resources, mentorship, and collaboration.

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...

  • Evaluate the potential of marine resources in contributing to the Blue Bioeconomy.
  • Develop innovative business ideas by exploring case studies and analysing real-world data in the Blue Bioeconomy.
  • Explain the impact of key policies, regulations, and governance structures on entrepreneurial ventures in the Blue Bioeconomy.
  • Apply essential business skills, such as building a unique value proposition, business modelling, and stakeholder engagement, tailored to the Blue Bioeconomy.
  • Assess various legal structures and funding sources, selecting the best support sustainable for Blue Bioeconomy ventures.
  • Engage with industry networks and role models to enhance career pathways and entrepreneurial growth within the Blue Bioeconomy.
  • Develop an entrepreneurial attitude by practising resilience and creativity in response to challenges within Blue Bioeconomy sectors.

Who is the course for?

Whether you’re a future entrepreneur, a curious ocean enthusiast, or exploring new career paths as a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD student, recent graduate, or professional looking to advance in the Blue Bioeconomy through entrepreneurship, this is your opportunity to learn how marine resources can drive innovation, business, and real-world solutions.

Who will you learn with?

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 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.

Who developed the course?

SUBMARINER Network for Blue Growth

The SUBMARINER Network is the cooperation platform for actors and initiatives across the Baltic Sea Region and beyond. Promoting innovative approaches for the sustainable use of marine resources.

Blue Bio Techpreneurs

The EU co-funded Blue Bio Techpreneurs project aims to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and skill development in the blue bioeconomy.

University of Southern Denmark

The University of Southern Denmark celebrates talent and academic excellence. Together with Danish and international partners from industry, foundations, and public organisations, we create knowledge that makes a positive impact on society. International rankings confirm our strength in this regard.

University of Gdańsk

The University of Gdańsk is a dynamically developing institution of higher learning, and one that combines respect for tradition with a commitment to the new. It offers education in nearly all fields of academic knowledge, in sought-after professions on the job market and in state-of-the-art facilities in its Gdańsk, Sopot and Gdynia campuses. It is currently one of the most modern academic centres in Poland.

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:

  • Unlimited access to this course
  • Includes any articles, videos, peer reviews and quizzes
  • A PDF Certificate of Achievement to prove your success when you’re eligible
  • 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

    Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn

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