What is Portugal´s Blue Hub Network?

Portugal Business News - Valerie Charoux
1 day ago
3 min read

Portugal launches its Blue Hub Network - Portugal Business News

News Blue Economy Europe - Portugal launched its Blue Hub Network at the EU forum ¨Blue Hub Portugal: Unlocking European Blue Innovation Partnerships¨ with an investment of over 78 million euros, on June 29. 2026. Here are the clusters as well as the companies and organisations that are part of Portugal´s Blue Hub Network:

The launch of Portugal´s Blue Hub Network at the EU forum was hosted by the Permanent Representation of Portugal to the European Union (REPER), and brought together EU policy-makers, investors, companies and organisations from the Portuguese ecosystem to position Portugal as a European partner in accelerating ocean technologies.

“Portugal is presenting Europe with a network ready to work with partners, companies and investors. We have the infrastructure, scientific expertise, startups, concrete challenges and pilot projects already underway” - Gonçalo Faria, from Blue Hub Portugal (Hub Azul Portugal)

What is Portugal´s Blue Hub Network?

Portugal´s Blue Hub Network (Rede Hub Azul) is an incubator for maritime companies that represents an investment of over 78 million euros under Portugal´s Recovery and Resilience Plan.

Portugal´s Blue Hub Network comprises six innovation hubs across Portugal including the Port of Leixões in the Porto district, the Port of Aveiro in Central Portugal, the Port of Peniche in Central Portugal, the Port of Oeiras in the Lisbon district, the Port of Olhão in the Algarve and the Hub Azul School.

Portugal´s Blue Hub Network also includes Fórum Oceano that is the managing body of Portugal's Blue Economy Cluster, under Portugal´s Ministry of Economy and the Sea.

The aim of Portugal´s Blue Hub Network is to bridge the gap between science and the market and to connect companies, startups, research centres, ports, infrastructure, investors and international markets.

“The Blue Hub Portugal Network is designed to function as a networked factory for every stage of the investment journey for a new product in the blue economy: from the moment an idea is conceived, through prototyping and testing, to securing funding – everything can be accessed by the entrepreneur within the same ecosystem: science, businesses, testing facilities and investors” - Ruben Eiras, Secretary-General of Fórum Oceano.

What are the clusters under Portugal´s Blue Hub Network?

Portugal´s Blue Hub Network comprises the following clusters:

1 - Aquaculture

2 - Blue biotechnology

3 - Blue renewable energy

4 - Blue technology and ocean observation

5 - Coastal and maritime tourism

6 - Environmental protection and regeneration

7 - Fisheries

8 - Shipbuilding and ship conversion

9 - Ports and maritime transport.

What companies and organisations are part of Portugal´s Blue Hub Network?

Portugal´s Blue Hub Acceleration programme brings together 18 startups, four innovation hubs and 13 business partners. The Venture Building programme currently involves 12 R&D teams, supporting researchers and scientific projects to facilitate their transition to the market.

The companies and organisations that are part of Portugal´s Blue Hub Network include:

1 - The Portuguese Aquaculture Association

2 - A4F

3 - Aqualgae

4 - Blue Oasis

5 - ALGAplus

6 - B2E Blue Bioeconomy CoLAB

7 - Bitcliq

8 - Flatlantic

9 - Grupo O Valor do Tempo

10 - Thai Union

11 - Seaentia