FAROS is Italy's first accelerator entirely dedicated to the Blue Economy, created to attract and support high-potential start-ups operating in sectors related to the sea economy, port innovation and responsible use of marine resources.
Launched in 2021, FAROS was created at the initiative of CDP Venture Capital Sgr in collaboration with the Ionian Sea Port System Authority - Taranto Port and is managed by a|cube, a social and environmental impact business accelerator, and local manager Wylab, a certified incubator. Today FAROS works in two strategic Italian territories: Taranto and La Spezia.
The new call for start-ups
Interested start-ups can apply at farosaccelerator.com to receive a 4-month acceleration programme, customized mentoring activities and the opportunity to carry out open innovation projects (pilot projects) with FAROS' prestigious partners. Applications are open until July 30, 2025.
Investments from €75,000 and up to €400,000 are provided for the most innovative business ideas.
The new call is aimed at accelerating realities that offer solutions in the following areas of innovation:
- Ocean data
- Ocean energy systems
- Sea health & restoration
- Smart ports & green shipping
- Shipbuilding
- Coastal tourism & cultural activities
- Sustainable aquaculture
- Disruptive uses of blue resources
A successful track record
From sustainable materials to technologies for protecting the marine environment, from smart systems for port safety to solutions for responsible use of resources: there are many companies that have already accelerated with FAROS. In three editions, the accelerator has supported 25 start-ups, activating industrial collaborations (PoCs) and paving the way for new synergies.
- € 3.2M invested between pre-seed and follow-on;
- over € 15M raised in total by accelerated start-ups.
Between corporations and institutions in the area, more than 20 partners and more than 60 industry stakeholders were involved.
The partners involved
The activities of the Taranto Hub are carried out thanks to the collaboration with the Port System Authority of the Ionian Sea - Port of Taranto, an institutional partner geared toward the global promotion of the Ionian port of call, as well as the revitalization of Taranto's industrial-logistics and tourism system.
The program also benefits from the support of main partner Fincantieri and institutional partnerships with the Municipality of Taranto, the Brindisi-Taranto Chamber of Commerce and the University of Bari.
The activities of the La Spezia Hub are carried out in collaboration with the Port System Authority of the Eastern Ligurian Sea - Ports of La Spezia and Marina di Carrara, an institutional and territorial partner oriented to promote the industrial ecosystem and integration of the ports of La Spezia and Marina di Carrara.
The co-investors are Crédit Agricole Italia and Duferco, the main partner is Fincantieri. The institutional partnerships are those of the City of La Spezia, Fondazione Carispezia and PromoStudi La Spezia.
For both hubs, Faros also makes use of the support of corporate partners: Eni through Joule its school for business, BCC San Marzano and RINA, whose participation provides distinctive sector expertise, contributes to the growth of widespread networking and ensures the possibility of launching pilot projects with the different lines of business.
