Women In Ocean Food Africa
female-focused Innovation Studios hosted to date
companies from 24 countries graduated
in total funding raised by Women in Ocean Food alumni
Ocean food sustains the livelihoods of more than 600 million people around the world (FAO, 2024), but women continue to be left out of key roles in the sector.
Across the ocean economy, gender inequalities show up in persistent job segregation, lack of recognition, and minimal representation in decision-making spaces (WEF, 2022). And in newer areas like the blue bioeconomy, the pattern continues, with few opportunities for women to grow or lead their own ventures (UNESCO, 2024).
The Women in Ocean Food Innovation Studio is actively working to address these gender disparities by hosting an equity-free, business support program for female founders and leadership teams driving change in the blue economy.
The program equips startup founders, entrepreneurs, and community leaders to build solutions and drive change across sustainable aquaculture, marine biotech, seafood value chains, ocean conservation, and blue carbon.
Participants receive mentorship from global industry experts, curated connections, and ongoing post-program support to accelerate commercial growth and real-world impact.
All travel, accommodation, and food costs will be covered by the program for those successful applications (2 participants per team).
In 2021, Hatch Blue hosted the first iteration of an all-female program, the Women in Aquaculture Innovation Studio. In 2022, we partnered with Conservation International Ventures to deliver the inaugural Women in Ocean Food Innovation Studio in Southeast Asia. By 2024, the movement expanded to Latin America and the Caribbean, securing multi-year funding to run annual studios through 2027. And in 2025, the movement will officially go global with the launch of the first Women in Ocean Food Innovation Studio in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Join the program to receive
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Our core offering
![[WIOF] Strategy Support](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/66c43d1ff35aa2c84ea8655f/67940ac0867c323c5a2f904b_chart-dots-3.avif){kind=icon}
Support with company formation, business strategy, product commercialization, and fundraising strategy
![[WIOF] Long-term Support](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/66c43d1ff35aa2c84ea8655f/67940b855f1c3be3a7b45869_message-heart.avif){kind=icon}
Long-term support and access to network of dedicated venture philanthropists and impact investors; monthly post-program follow-ups
![[WIOF] Follow-on Investment](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/66c43d1ff35aa2c84ea8655f/67940aacfed9356b25ddcbf6_businessplan.avif){kind=icon}
Potential for follow-on investment with Hatch Blue and CIV
![[WIOF] Individualized Mentorship](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/66c43d1ff35aa2c84ea8655f/67940bca445032e29e3f1725_report.avif){kind=icon}
Individualized mentorship; teams are paired with relevant industry leaders & also participate in 1-to-1 sessions with Hatch Blue and Conservation International teams
![[WIOF] Global Female-Led Company Network](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/66c43d1ff35aa2c84ea8655f/67940a0514ea6e90a6b6a243_world.avif){kind=icon}
Opportunity to connect with global network of female-led companies operating throughout the blue economy
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"The experience was great in helping me build a new venture, network with fellow peers and mentors, and bond with my team. It completely changed my perspective in terms of thinking of a business."
"[The program was] transformative. It provided me with essential training and strengthened my business. Engaging with mentors and learning from other fellows helped me reach another level of growth."
"It was a highly enriching experience where I had the opportunity to learn a lot.. The challenge pushed me to think critically, adapt quickly, and apply my knowledge in real-world scenarios."
Investment
We invest across the following sectors
Contact Us
For questions about the current program please contact our team
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Partners
FAQs
The application deadline is, Friday 17th October, 2025.
The program starts on , Monday 1st December 2025.
The program lasts 12 months and begins with a full-time two-week studio.
TBC
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 Conservation International Ventures.
All travel, accommodation, and food costs will be covered by the program for those successful applications (2 participants per team).
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.
Yes, you are still eligible.
One but ideally two co-founders.
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.
Yes, on the final day, we host a Community Day where selected finalists will have the opportunity to pitch their projects to key stakeholders and investors in the audience.
Following the studio, Hatch Blue and Conservation International Ventures remain active partners supporting fundraising, refining business models, and, most critically, helping teams win customers. If a company is ready for investment and aligns with our criteria, we may consider making an investment.
Hatch Blue was conceived in late 2017 by co-founders Carsten Krome, Georg Baunach and Wayne Murphy, with the goal to revolutionise the way we produce seafood through investing in its technological development.
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, Conservation International, The Nature Conservancy and all founding or organizing teams will ensure that all information is kept totally confidential and will not be shared without your written permission.
Program specific questions
Can any woman in the company apply for the studio?
Only projects or companies that are led by women, founded or co-founded by women, or where women are true decision makers will be considered eligible.
In which language will the program be delivered?
The Women in Ocean Food Africa program will be held in English only.