The potential of the sustainable use of aquatic resources is far from exhausted in Germany.
Germany has a high level of education, high purchasing power and a well-developed
awareness of the environment and sustainability. Nevertheless, the degree of selfsufficiency
for aquatic products in Germany is only 25%. A lot of research is done here in
the field of aquaculture and product development from aquatic resources. The challenge,
however, is that the research results find their way into products and services of our
everyday lives.
The AQUATOR is a business accelerator aiming at developing, accompanying and
supporting entrepreneurial commitment. The AQUATOR was launched as one of eight
sub-projects in the BMBF-funded innovation space “Blue Bioeconomy”. The team
consists of different experts from a total of six universities, institutions and companies.
We provide tailor-made advice and services in various subject areas, such as aquaculture,
algae expertise, environmental balances, toxicology and socio-economic aspects. We are
well connected to the authorities and a large, trust-based network; thus, we are able to
overcome hurdles more quickly and create synergies.
After just two years, we are supporting more than 10 startups and companies of all kinds.
For example, we offer access to scientific partners and to specific biomass, conduct
scientific tests at laboratories with corresponding toxicological analyzes, organize access
to relevant authorities, and support with scientific expertise and access to funding for the
development of new products based on residual materials.
Our vision is a large number of companies in the field of the blue bioeconomy that support
each other and are both economically and ecologically sustainable. The national
bioeconomy strategy, launched in 2020, has six main goals. The AQUATOR contributes
to each of these goals by supporting start-ups and companies. The focus of the AQUATOR
is currently in northern Germany. In the long term, however, we want to support the entire
industry as a central player and expand both nationally and internationally. In doing so,
we rely on targeted and broad networking in order to be able to deal with the unique
challenges of the aquatic bioeconomy.
The AQUATOR is currently a project funded by the BMBF. We are in a phase of
restructuring and consolidation towards a suitable company form in order to be able to
function more independently of project funds in the long term.