In partnership with
Big Ocean
✳︎
big opportunity
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Big responsibility
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Big Ocean ✳︎ big opportunity ✳︎ Big responsibility ✳︎
Supporting New zealand’s, highest potential, least-serviced growth sector
New Zealand’s ocean territory spans over 4 million square kilometres, making it the ninth largest Exclusive Economic Zone on the planet. With abundant natural marine assets, world-class research, and a growing appetite for innovation, Aotearoa is poised to become a global leader in the sustainable Blue Economy.
Today, New Zealand’s marine economy contributes at least NZD $10 billion to the national economy annually. With targeted investment, coordinated action, and innovation-driven growth, it’s projected this could rise to NZD $14 billion by 2035*, unlocking not just economic returns, but outsized impact returns for people and planet.
The Ocean Impact Organisation, Moananui and Nelson Regional Development agency are excited to launch BlueStart Aoteroa. From this platform we will co-create programs with local partners, tailored to New Zealand’s needs and opportunities, not to “lead” the ecosystem, but to accelerate its emergence with humility, capability, and deep commitment to place.
* Shifting to a sustainable marine economy could contribute $14bn by 2035 Westpac NZ
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Ocean Impact Organisation acknowledges Māori as tangata whenua of Aotearoa New Zealand and recognises Te Tiriti o Waitangi as the foundation for partnership. We pay our respects to mana whenua across the motu and acknowledge their enduring relationship with the moana, whenua, and taiao. We recognise the importance of kaitiakitanga: the practice of caring for the environment, rooted in a Māori worldview of deep kinship with nature, and its relevance to shaping a sustainable blue economy.
Programs
We will co-create programs to support entrepreneurs in the sustainable blue economy throughout the commercialisation life cycle.
More information coming soon.
OIO Venture lab
First step to discovering Ocean Ventures
OIO Boost
Structured support for early stage founders
OIO charge
Targeted support for startups with traction, ready to scale
Industry launch pad
We partner with industry leaders globally, facilitating access to a global market for New Zealand businesses in the BlueStart ecosystem.
Check out our latest industry partner challenge, where a NZ founder engaged with the Port of San Diego →
a place to build
Blue House is a newly launched blue economy innovation hub at the Nelson Port and Marina, and the physical home of Moananui. Established through a partnership between Westpac NZ, the Nelson Regional Development Agency, and Kernohan Engineering, it brings founders into a trusted, place-based community shaping Aotearoa New Zealand’s sustainable blue economy. Blue House will provide a dedicated workspace, support and connections for businesses, innovators and researchers working to grow a sustainable, regenerative blue economy.
“from research labs and aquaculture learning facilities to startups, industry-led initiatives, and corporate partners, Nelson’s interconnected cluster is unlike anywhere else I’ve been. It’s exactly why we’ve chosen to anchor OIO’s Aotearoa base here.”
Elisa-Marie Dumas, Global Head of Programs & Partners OIO
Nick Chiarelli and Elisa-Marie visiting Cawthron's Aquaculture Park
Partners
Major Partner
Program Partners
join The Ecosystem
Join the community of NZ innovators working together to grow a blue economy that delivers prosperity while safeguarding ocean health for generations to come.