Ladies and gentlemen, dear Christophe, innovative minds and investors,
Welcome to BlueInvest Day 2025, where we focus on the EUs ocean strategy. As Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, my role includes developing the European Ocean Pact, aiming for a sustainable blue economy with clear goals:
- Developing a competitive European blue economy;
- Protecting ocean health and resilience;
- Advancing marine knowledge;
- Establishing global ocean governance;
- Enhancing coastal community resilience;
Innovation and investment are key to this success. As President von der Leyen stated, Europe must advance to sustain growth, with ocean technologies at the forefront, especially those using cleantech and AI.
BlueInvest, since 2019, has been a model for innovation support, fostering a financing ecosystem for various technology stages. Weve seen a rise in blue economy deals, reaching 8 billion euros last year, indicating a strong market potential.
Weve noted an increase in deals in renewable energy and water management, with technologies reducing operational costs and enhancing compliance. AI-driven solutions are emerging in ocean observation and underwater communication.
Today, youll hear from promising companies within the BlueInvest pipeline. The initiative has mobilized over 1 billion euros in investments, contributing to a dedicated blue innovation ecosystem in Europe.
With over 30 Blue Economy funds now established, BlueInvest has been pivotal in driving innovation and securing Europes technological leadership. We must continue collaborating to further boost blue economy innovation.
Thank you for joining BlueInvest Day 2025. I wish you fruitful discussions and successful networking.