Maine Blue Biotech Studio

Anchoring Blue Biotechnology Innovation in Maine
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Geographical focus

Global

Application deadline

January 23rd, 2026
60+

investments made in Blue Biotech companies

$300M+

in funding raised by Innovation Studio participants

1st

Blue Biotech focused program in the US

What program offering is

The Maine Blue Biotech Studio is a program designed to accelerate the next generation of marine biotechnology ventures.

Hosted at Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, the two-week Innovation Studio brings together scientists, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders from Maine and beyond to turn breakthrough ideas into scalable businesses.

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Participants receive:

• tailored mentorship

• access to Bigelow’s world-class R&D facilities

• exposure to investors through the Blue Biotech Investor Summit in Portland.

Following the in-person studio, teams continue their journey with nine months of virtual mentorship and commercialization support led by Hatch Blue. This ongoing guidance helps participants refine their business models, validate technologies, and prepare for investment.

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We’re seeking researchers, startups, and entrepreneurs developing marine-based biotechnology

with strong commercial potential, whether in food and feed, health and wellness, sustainable materials, agriculture, or energy. Ideal applicants are working with marine biomaterials such as algae, seaweed, shellfish, or fish byproducts, and are eager to scale solutions that create value from the ocean while protecting it.

For US-based research teams, preference for applicants who have completed I-Corps training on customer discovery.

Join the program to receive

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Our core offering

[Blue Biotech] Potential investment

Potential investment opportunities through introductions to relevant venture capital firms

[Blue Biotech] Pitch support

Pitch and investor readiness support to create a strong and investable value proposition

[Blue Biotech] Support - company form., bus. strat., commercialization, fund. strat.

Support with company formation, business strategy, product commercialization, and fundraising strategy

[Blue Biotech] Global network

Access to a global network of blue biotechnology companies, mentors, and investors

[Blue Biotech] 1-to-1 mentorship

Individualized mentorship; teams are paired with relevant industry leaders and also participate in 1-to-1 sessions with Hatch Blue

[Blue Biotech] Blue Biotech Investor Summit

Opportunity to pitch at the Blue Biotech Investor Summit, the program’s showcase finale

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Name Surname
Position, Company name

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Name Surname
Position, Company name
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Investment

We invest across the following sectors

Contact Us

For questions about the current programme please contact our team

Dylan Terry
Dylan Terry
Innovation Studios Director

Partners

This program is co-organized by Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences and supported by Maine Technology Institute
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FAQs

When is the application deadline?

January 23rd, 2026

When does the program start?

The kickoff day is Monday, March 9th, 2026.

How long does this program last?

The in-person studio is two weeks, and teams receive 9-months ongoing hybrid support.

Where is the program located?

The in-person studio will be hosted at Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Science, located in East Boothbay, Maine, USA.

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The Blue Biotech Investor Summit will be held in Portland, Maine.

How much investment does my company receive?

Whilst there is no equity investment during the program, there is opportunity to meet investors within our network who may seek to invest in your company, including Hatch Blue and others.

Is there any funding support to travel to the program location?

All travel, accommodation, and food costs will be covered by the program for those successful applications (2 participants per team).

Do I need to be a registered company to apply?

You do not need to have a registered entity upon application but we expect that you are ready to do so by the end of the program.

Our team has already been through an accelerator program. Are we still eligible to participate?

Yes, you are still eligible.

What is the minimum number of participants per team?

One but ideally two co-founders.

Do I need to be on-site during the entire program?

Yes, on-site presence is required as we will run all activities in one location. In our experience, physically connecting with the cohort, Hatch Blue team and its mentors is far more rewarding and productive.

Will there be a finale event or demo day?

The two-week program will culminate in a Blue Biotech Investor Summit in Portland, Maine; an opportunity to pitch to key industry stakeholders looking to support the latest in biotechnology innovation.

What happens after the programme ends?
Who is behind Hatch Blue?
How will my proprietary trade secrets and IP be dealt with?

There is no specific requirement for you to disclose your confidential information (including any trade secrets) or IP during your attendance. However, if you do wish to share any information with us, Hatch Blue, Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, Maine Technology Institute and all founding or organizing teams will ensure that all information is kept totally confidential and will not be shared without your written permission.

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Program specific questions