Interview with A'Pelago

A’Pelago is driving the blue economy in Finland and the Baltic Sea region, catalyzing and providing support for startups, investors, enterprises, experts and ecosystem partners working towards one shared goal: reclaiming the sea 🌊

I asked A’Pelago’s Matilda Gustafsson, who leads Marketing & Communications, about the importance of the blue economy in the region, what she’s most excited about in the industry, and more.

Matilda: Finland is uniquely positioned thanks to its strong connection to the Baltic Sea and vast archipelago, which serve as ideal living labs for sustainable marine innovation.

The country combines world-class research institutions with a growing ecosystem of startups, investors, and public actors working together through A’Pelago’s Ecosystem.

Finnish culture’s deep-rooted respect for nature and trust in science foster collaboration and responsible innovation.

With advanced marine technology, strong sustainability policies, and a proactive approach to solving environmental challenges, Finland offers scalable solutions for seas worldwide.

Matilda: The Baltic Sea region urgently needs focus and investment because it’s one of the world’s most polluted and fragile marine areas, suffering from eutrophication, biodiversity loss, and climate impacts.

Despite the ocean’s crucial role in regulating our planet, only a tiny fraction of global investment (actually less than 1% of climate finance) goes toward ocean-related solutions. This financial gap is especially critical in the Baltic, where local action can have a rapid, measurable impact.

By directing more resources to innovation, restoration, and sustainable business, the region can become a global example of how to revive marine environments while driving economic growth.

One highlight at the A’Pelago Initiative 2025 was the launch of Redstone Nordics’ new €25 million fund dedicated to supporting startups tackling ocean challenges, with a strong focus on the Baltic Sea. The fund will be headquartered in the Blue Economy Centre, Turku, with the City of Turku and private investors as anchor investors.

Matilda: A’Pelago supports projects and founders who combine strong science-based ideas with clear potential for real-world impact in the blue economy.

The focus is on solutions that can be tested and scaled in the Baltic Sea region, spanning areas like marine restoration, sustainable materials, clean technologies, and circular business models.

Founders who are engaged in or passionate about blue economy investing are warmly invited to join the A’Pelago Initiative event. The 2025 forum hosted over 50 investors from across Europe, creating unmatched opportunities for connection and collaboration.

Through its accelerator and ecosystem, A’Pelago looks for people and ideas that can bridge research, entrepreneurship, and practical implementation to create measurable benefits for the sea and society.

Matilda: Strengthening awareness and education around the blue economy, especially through initiatives like the A’Pelago Blue Economy Academy.

Sharing knowledge with students and the next generation is essential for building long-term impact and inspiring future innovators.

I’m motivated by the idea of helping position Finland as a leading driver of the blue economy by spreading the message, connecting people, and turning complex sustainability topics into something engaging and actionable.

Empowering others to see the opportunities in restoring and reimagining our relationship with the sea feels incredibly meaningful to me.

Matilda: Stay deeply connected to both science and real-world needs. Test your ideas in living labs like the Baltic Sea region but also think about how they can scale globally. 

Collaboration is key. Work with researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, and local communities to strengthen your impact.

Be patient and persistent, because marine innovation often requires longer development cycles, but the rewards (for both the environment and society) are immense.

And finally, don’t underestimate the power of sharing your story: inspiring others is just as important as building your solution. Join our Blue Economy Ecosystem platform Blue Connect and share your journey!

Matilda: My biggest takeaway from A’Pelago Initiative 2025 was seeing the scale, energy, and collaboration within the Baltic Sea blue economy community.

With over 300 participants from 13 countries, the event highlighted both the urgency of restoring the Baltic Sea and the exciting potential for innovation and investment in the region.

Launches like the Redstone BLUE fund and the Pitch Challenge winner Reverlast, showed that practical, scalable solutions are already emerging.

I was especially inspired by how the forum combined cutting-edge science, entrepreneurship, and finance while also emphasizing wellbeing through initiatives like the Decelerator.

Overall, it reinforced that Finland and the Baltic region are at the forefront of driving the blue economy globally.

Matilda: We’re currently accepting applications for the 2026 first Nordic Blue Economy Accelerator program, which will support startups in turning innovative ideas into scalable solutions. 

In addition, the Decelerator retreat will take place on November 6–7, providing entrepreneurs with space, mentoring, and tools to recharge and sustain their impact.

At the same time, we’re moving into our new Blue Economy Centre in Turku at the beginning of November, which will serve as a hub for research, innovation, and collaboration in the Baltic Sea region.

🇫🇮🇫🇮 If you’d like to join the A’Pelago Initiative 2026, visit here for Early Bird tickets 🇫🇮🇫🇮

Thanks for reading Blue Tide! If you have a good idea of who to interview next, then please reach out.

🐚 Zané