Marine Investment for the Blue Economy (Maribe) (KB-24-003-003)

MARIBE is a Horizon 2020 project that aims to unlock the potential of multi-use of space in the offshore economy (also referred to as Blue Economy). This forms part of the long-term Blue Growth (BG) strategy to support sustainable growth in the marine and maritime sectors.Within the Blue Economy, there are new and emerging sectors comprising technologies that are early stage and novel. These are referred to as Blue Growth sectors and they have developed independently for the most part without pursuing cooperation opportunities with other sectors. MARIBE investigates cooperation opportunities for companies within the four key BG sectors in order to develop these companies and their sectors and to promote the multi-use of space in the offshore economy. The sectors are Marine Renewable Energy, Aquaculture, Marine Biotechnology and Seabed Mining.

Through learning from past EU projects and successful business models, MARIBE identifies key opportunities for synergistic collaboration. By helping partners to determine and develop the best business structure to support their cooperation, MARIBE will allow them to achieve increased efficiency and economic performance and will also benefit the general development of their Blue Growth sector.

Objectives of MARIBE

1. Identify opportunities for Blue Growth sectors to cooperate with other sectors and facilitate the development of business opportunities and partnerships that aid that cooperation.
2. Identify and learn from the most promising business models relevant to selected combinations.
3. Identify key technical and non-technical challenges facing these combinations based in part on lifecycle learning.
4. Raise awareness and ensure increased investor participation in Blue Growth by engaging stakeholders and hosting brokerage events.
5. Develop business plans for the most promising combinations in each of the maritime basins to capitalise on cooperation and secure interest in principle from investors where possible

Impact of MARIBE

1. MARIBE will host brokerage events that will promote cooperation between sectors and will foster new business partnerships and plans. Plans developed will comply with and enhance Marine Spatial Planning by reducing the competition for space and potential conflict between industries.
2. Promotion of the Blue Growth sector through the creation of sector-specific generic business models as well as tool kits and guidelines for industry and investor stakeholders involved in both Blue Growth sectors and Blue Growth combinations.
3. Stimulating interest and empowering stakeholders via MARIBE virtual forums and linking with the European Commission planned forum; Blue Growth Business and Science Forum. These initiatives are planned to significantly increase investor and other key stakeholder participation in Blue Growth.
4. Creating comprehensive databases of socio-economic drivers, technical and non-technical barriers as well as Blue Growth investors and investments that will act as a resource for the Blue Growth sector.