April 27, 2022

Hatch's Aquaculture Innovation Studio starts with 11 startups in Hawaii, US

Eleven startups are taking part in Hatch's latest Aquaculture Innovation Studio, which recently kicked off in Hawaii, the United States.

The regionally-focused programme is part of a four-year US Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant awarded to the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority (NELHA) and builds on the success of a three-year pilot aquaculture programme with Hatch. It aims to transform that programme into a self-sustaining long-term effort to attract significant investment and increase job creation in Hawaii to further build the archipelago's aquaculture ecosystem.

"We are delighted to host such an exciting collection of local and indeed global aquaculture talent in this year's Hawaii studio," said Greg Barbour, executive director of NELHA. "In partnering with Hatch in this initiative, we are looking forward to attracting developing and engaging many more cohorts and aquaculture talent over the coming years.

"It is a wonderful way for our international participants to see and learn about Hawaii's ambitious plans to grow its global aquaculture opportunities. And for our Hawaii-based companies to connect with – and learn from – founders from different geographies, backgrounds and experiences. We are looking forward to supporting their progress over the course of the programme."

"The Innovation Studio is part of a range of innovation programmes and activities that will take place and be developed at our NELHA location over the next four years and beyond," said Wayne Murphy, co-founder and partner of Hatch. "I'm very excited about our development plans in Hawaii, as we now seek to headquarter much of our global innovation programme and accelerator activities there. We also plan to launch and develop of our aquaculture incubator and R&D facilities there later this year."

The 11 companies were selected from applications originating from all over the Americas and Oceania, and those who made the cut will be treated to a month-long part-time programme, featuring some of the US aquaculture sector's most prominent players as mentors, along with support and guidance from the Hatch team and network.

While meetings during the first week took place digitally, some teams are exploring the option of using Hatch's office in NELHA for the second half of the programme.

The programme will finish with a Hawaiian Aquaculture Community Day on May 13 at NELHA, where all participants will pitch their future plans and ambitions for their companies to an invited audience.

- The Fish Site