PART OF 
October 29 and 30, 2026 | Stazione Marittima Conference Center, Naples
Blue Waves Startup Contest
Do you have a startup that’s revolutionizing the maritime industry?
The Blue Waves Startup Contest is a call for startups and teams developing innovative projects for the Blue Economy.
The sea, boating, logistics, tourism, energy, research, and new technologies: if your project can contribute to the sustainable development of the maritime economy, apply and bring your solution to Naples.
The contest will take place on October 29 and 30, 2026, at the Stazione Marittima Convention Center in Naples, as part of Naples Shipping Week and concurrently with the Main Conference of Port&ShippingTech, one of the leading national and international events dedicated to innovation in the maritime and logistics sectors.
Selected startups will have the opportunity to present their projects to a technical jury and industry stakeholders, engage with companies and institutions, and participate in training and networking sessions.
Who is it for?
Startups that have already been incorporated and teams that have developed a concrete project—even if they have not yet been incorporated—are eligible to apply.
Projects must operate in at least one of the following areas of the Blue Economy.
Marine Resources, Bioeconomy, Water, and Energy
Blue Biotechnology
Marine living resources
Marine non-living resources
Desalination
Marine Renewable Energy
Coastal tourism
Maritime Industry, Infrastructure, and Logistics
Maritime transport
Land Logistics and Intermodal Port Hubs
Shipbuilding and repair
Infrastructure and Robotics
Maritime defence
Research and innovation
Application review period ends on Friday, October 16
Applications received by October 16, 2026, will be evaluated.
Up to 10 startups will be selected from among the submitted projects to advance to the final phase of the Blue Waves Startup Contest.
The selection process will take into account the quality and level of development of the project, its innovative nature, its alignment with the Blue Economy, and its potential impact on the maritime, port, logistics, energy, tourism, or environmental sectors.
To participate, you must submit a clear description of the project by filling out the registration form. You must also attach a presentation in PDF or PPT format.
Participation in the final round
If selected as one of the 10 finalists, the startup must be present at the Stazione Marittima Convention Center in Naples on Thursday, October 29, and Friday, October 30, 2026.
Before applying, each team is therefore encouraged to confirm its availability to travel to Naples and participate on both days.
To facilitate participation in training sessions, meetings, and networking opportunities, it is recommended that each startup send two or three representatives.
Training for the finalist startups on Thursday, October 29
On the morning of Thursday, October 29, the finalist startups will have the opportunity to participate free of charge in a training and workshop session focused on entrepreneurial growth and preparing for the final presentation.
- “Idea to Enterprise,” a one-hour session dedicated to the transition from idea to concrete project implementation;
- A one-hour public speaking workshop;
- Two hours of collaborative work with the participating startups.
The sessions will be led by CyberTribu.
Contest pitches and finals on Friday, October 30
On the afternoon of Friday, October 30, the finalist startups will present their projects to the technical jury and stakeholders attending Naples Shipping Week.
Each startup will have 4–5 minutes for its pitch, followed by any questions from the jury.
The jury will evaluate the projects and determine the final rankings.
Awards Ceremony and Networking Dinner
At the end of the pitches, the top three startups will be announced.
Representatives from the top three startups will be invited to attend the Networking Dinner on Friday, October 30—an opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with companies, institutions, and professionals in the maritime sector.
The first-place startup will also receive a prize dedicated to the project’s development. All details will be announced before the final phase of the contest.
Program
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, MORNING
Training, Innovation, and Entrepreneurial Growth
- Idea to Enterprise
- Public Speaking Workshop
- Collaborative working session with the finalist startups
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, AFTERNOON
Blue Waves Startup Contest
- Presentation of the finalist startups
- Pitch to the technical jury
- Q&A and discussion about the projects
- Jury evaluation
- Announcement of the three winning startups
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, IN THE EVENING
Networking Dinner
Participation by the top three startups.
Faq
What do I need to submit to apply?
You must submit a clear description of the project by filling out the registration form. You must also attach a presentation in PDF or PPT format.
Do I need to have a company that’s already been incorporated?
No. Teams that have not yet been formally incorporated may also apply, provided they have already developed a concrete project. It is not sufficient to submit a simple idea that has not yet been developed.
Can I participate with an existing startup?
Yes, provided that the startup was founded less than five years ago and has revenue of no more than 500,000 euros. The project must also align with one or more of the Blue Economy sectors specified in the call for proposals.
How many startups will be selected?
Ten startups will be selected for the final round of the contest.
Is it necessary to attend both days?
Yes. If selected, the startup must be present in Naples on both Thursday, October 29, and Friday, October 30, 2026. Availability to participate on both days is a prerequisite for advancing to the final phase.
How many people can participate from each startup?
We recommend that each startup send two or three representatives so they can attend the training sessions, present their project, and participate in the networking events.
How long will the pitch last?
Each startup will have 4–5 minutes for its pitch, followed by any questions from the jury.
How should I set the pitch?
It is advisable to start with the specific problem the project aims to address, clearly present the proposed solution, and explain its value to the market and to the Blue Economy. The pitch should highlight the project’s stage of development, its innovative features, its potential target audience, and its prospects for application or growth.
How will the projects be evaluated?
The projects will be evaluated by a panel of experts. There will be no public voting.
What will the winning startups receive?
The top three startups will be invited to the Networking Dinner on Friday, October 30. The first-place winner will also receive a prize to support the project’s development. Details will be announced before the final round.
Can I edit my application after I’ve submitted it?
No. Once submitted, your application will be considered final. Therefore, it is advisable to carefully review the information and any attachments before submitting it.
Submit your project
Do you have a startup or a project that can bring innovation to the maritime world?
Submit a description of your project by October 16, 2026.
Bring your solution to the Blue Waves Startup Contest and present it to the public and the jury in Naples.