About the project
Transforming maritime
innovation ecosystems
ENTREBLUE helps seven universities with maritime STEM innovation and entrepreneurship programmes turn STEM research and talent into market-ready innovation, with a strong focus on women-led entrepreneurship.
Why ENTREBLUE
The maritime sector needs innovation, faster
Maritime operations are complex, remote and among the most dangerous for workers. Digital twins, remotely operated devices, AI, cybersecurity and cleantech can make them safer, cleaner and more reliable.
Yet maritime universities struggle to bring these innovations to market. They lack holistic entrepreneurial capacity, connected test-beds, links with investors and regional agencies, and a diverse talent pipeline.
Full title: Transforming European Maritime Innovation & Entrepreneurship Ecosystems via Shared STEM Innovation Acceleration Platforms & Global Talent Sourcing
The challenge in numbers
Annual growth in EU maritime operations, increasing the demand for innovation, advanced technologies and skilled professionals.
Women account for only 15% of learners and professionals in maritime STEM, highlighting a persistent gender gap.
Sources cited in the ENTREBLUE proposal: Vanelslander et al. (2024); IMO (2025), Women in Maritime.
Our 2030 vision
“To foster sustainable, women-led and STEM-infused skills ecosystems around maritime universities, transforming their capacity to create, attract and retain critical talent, establish shared R&I infrastructures and diversify their public-private resources to accelerate and scale up STEM-enabled maritime innovation.”
Objectives
Three objectives
Entrepreneurial universities
Transform partner higher education institutions in line with HEInnovate and strengthen their capacity to bring maritime STEM innovations to market through inclusive, women-led innovation accelerators that connect shared R&I infrastructures with regional innovation ecosystems.
Skills for future maritime markets
Increase maritime HEIs’ competitiveness and position them as international leaders of talent and skills ecosystems, through inclusive, gender-aware innovation and entrepreneurship education, microcredentials and industry internships that equip learners with advanced skills for future maritime markets.
Stronger regional ecosystems
Reduce territorial disparities by strengthening regional innovation ecosystems and cross-border cooperation in maritime STEM, through strategic partnerships with international HEIs, shared platforms, joint transnational funding pools, closer links with smart specialisation bodies and citizen science.
How we work
From transformation to acceleration
Transform
Six mentored universities adopt Innovation Vision and Action Plans (IVAPs) using HEInnovate, with the University of Strathclyde as mentor.
Train
10 microcredentials and more than 6,000 learners trained and certified.
Connect
Six physical IEILs and one shared digital platform connecting learners, universities, shared R&I infrastructures, mentors, investors, startups and the maritime industry.
Accelerate
Internships and acceleration pilots for at least 30 startups and innovators.