Inspiration and innovation were the focus of the 2nd BlueGrowth startup competition held at the Piraeus Marine Club on Tuesday, bringing to the fore young entrepreneurs and their concepts and business models which aim to have a positive impact on the country’s marine and freshwater resources.

Five out of the nine participating teams which presented their blue economy ideas were awarded during the event which was jointly organized by sustainable-business education and incubation program aephoria.net

“The sea has throughout time served as Greece’s means to getting back on track financially; to growing again after wars and natural disasters,” Piraeus Mayor Yannis Moralis said in his opening address.The winners will receive services worth 5,000 euros, scholarships for MBA programs at the Athens University of Economics and Business and for the MA program at the University of the Aegean’s Department of Marine Sciences and E-learning Master in Maritime from BCA College,  as well as the opportunity to present their ideas at the Posidonia 2016 maritime and shipping show to be held on June 9th at the Metropolitan Expo.
“I am among those who believe that Greece will return to growth yet again starting from the sea, its shipping, its ports and tourism. Shipping and tourism are the two pillars that have shown resilience to the long-lived crisis, keeping the Greek economy alive while all other productive sectors have fallen behind,” he added.

AWARDS

And the first prize of the 2nd BlueGrowth challenge went to… “hopwave” for their online ticketing service for island-based boats to unknown destinations.

The Hopwave team

“Xyz” clinched second place for their 3D laser scanner offering onboard browsing via 3D photography.

The XYZ team

The third prize went to the “Recisle” team for its island recycling scheme.

The Recicle team

And “Achini Aigaiou” (or Aegean Sea Urchins) came in fourth for their sea urchin aquaculture concept.

“My City-lane Piraeus” taking up fifth spot for their project on connecting cruise travelers with the Piraeus market.

The My City-lane Piraeus team

Also out of competition were three winning teams from other competitions that Blue Growth were a supporter or a sponsor, having already won their participation in the BG Incubation program:

-Shipowner (Gamification app for owners) – Startup Weekend Piraeus Winner
– Blue Corellation (gathering all the disparate data and reforming them in a uniform and consistent electronic platform use by entities, individuals and businesses, as a cluster of coral) – Blue Hackathon Winner
– Trip Journey (app for boat rental and nearby route options from the islands) – SETE CrowdHackathon Winner