“Blue Culture Technology Excellence Hubs in EU Widening Member States”
Blue Futures Lab
Cultivating Entrepreneurs for Heritage & Oceans
Call for innovative technology business startup ideas which can assist in the preservation of Underwater Cultural Heritage
Blue Futures Lab is an Entrepreneurial Mentoring Programme aimed at fostering the development of entrepreneurial ideas within the Blue Culture Economy that support new solutions for the sustainable protection, restoration, utilization, management, accessibility, and promotion of Underwater Cultural Heritage (UWCH).
Organized by the BCT Excellence Hub in Malta, under the BCThubs HEU project, the Blue Futures Lab will transform innovative ideas related to Blue Culture into investment-ready business plans, with a special focus on innovation applied to three core challenges:
- Sustainable Tourism
- Monitoring practices to mitigate threats to underwater cultural heritage
- Diving Practices
- Training and Skills Development
The programme is open to teams, startups, students, researchers, freelancers, professionals, and individuals wishing to develop a business idea related to Blue Cultural Technology, Underwater Cultural Heritage, and Sustainable Tourism.
In particular:
- Teams: Groups of individuals collaborating on a business idea or project, regardless of their professional background or formal business structure.
- Startups: Early-stage companies or entrepreneurial ventures focused on developing an innovative product, service, or business model, typically with scalability potential.
*The program will be conducted in English.
Teams interested in participating in Blue Futures Lab can visit here and complete the application form.
The application deadline for participation in the program is 31 December 2025.
Mark your calendars! An Online Info Day will be held on 05 December 2025 (10:00 – 11:30 CET) where the programme will be presented and answer any questions.
Registration for the Online Information Day is available 👉 Here
- Programme Structure
Blue Futures Lab is an intensive Entrepreneurial Mentoring Programme with online and hybrid sessions, structured as follows:
- Open Call for Applications – Online application form. Applicants will be requested to answer key questions about their business idea and will have the possibility to upload relevant files (i.e., a preliminary business plan or a financial model) to support their application.
- Online Informational Event – (05 December 2025) – Registration form. A session during the application period providing potential applicants with key insights into the Blue Futures Lab structure, opportunities, and the next steps for candidate teams.
- Application Evaluation, Interviews & Selection. Review of applications, followed by online interviews where applicants will present their idea. The final selection of participants will be made.
- Kick-off Event. An introductory online session where the Mentors present the programme structure and expectations and address any questions from the participants.
- Mentoring Sessions. A series of online sessions focused on business development and entrepreneurial skills. Participants will develop essential skills in market validation, competition analysis, business models, financial analysis, pitching, valuation, and strategic partnerships. In parallel, participants will have access to online B2B Mentoring Sessions, receiving personalized, one-on-one feedback to refine their strategy, address challenges, and enhance their venture’s viability.
- Dry-Run Session. A preparatory online session for refining presentations and pitching skills with expert feedback.
- 2-day Hybrid Bootcamp Session. The final stage of the programme. The first day involves informal pitching and feedback from Mentors and external experts. The second day features the Final Pitch & Evaluation, where teams officially present their business ideas to a jury panel and a live audience.
- Certification & Awards
All teams that successfully complete the program will receive a Certificate of Completion.
The top-performing teams will be awarded non-monetary prizes, including:
- Best Pitching Award – For the most compelling and well-structured presentation.
- Greatest Social & Environmental Impact Award – For the idea with the most significant contribution to society and sustainability.
- Highest Investment Readiness Award – For the venture with the strongest potential for attracting investment.
- Best Growth Potential Award – For the business with the highest scalability and future development prospects.
