ADT4Blue 4th Consortium Meeting: Advancing Innovation in the Blue Economy
This exciting event took place in Ireland during two days (March 25-26) and was hosted by our partner University of Galway.
PARTNERS MEET-UP
Our partners from University of Galway (Ireland) hosted the 4th Consortium Meeting of the ADT4Blue – Advanced Digital Technologies for the Blue Economy, an Interreg Atlantic Area project.
The gathering brought together partners from across the Atlantic Area, including representatives from Instituto Politécnico da Guarda, CNRS, CeADAR Ireland, F6S, Inova-Ria, Cluster GAIA, UROLA KOSTAKO UDAL ELKARTEA, Universidad de Deusto, ESTIA and ACCENT SUD Association. The meeting, coordinated by Mafalda Santos, provided a platform for partners to discuss progress, share insights, and explore future directions for the project.
Attendees also had the opportunity to visit the Data Science Institute at the University of Galway and explore the Computer and Communications Museum of Ireland, adding an educational and cultural dimension to the experience.
Following the consortium meeting – on March 26th – the ADT4Blue Entrepreneurship Showcase took place at the PorterShed, bringing together experts, entrepreneurs and researchers to explore the future of digital innovation in the maritime sector. Organised in collaboration with Data2Sustain, the event highlighted groundbreaking ideas, inspiring discussions, and opportunities for emerging startups in the blue economy.
The Showcase event commenced with opening remarks from lead partner Pedro Fonseca and Instituto Politécnico da Guarda President Joaquim Brigas. Their insights set the stage for a day dedicated to fostering innovation and collaboration across the Atlantic Area.
A keynote address was delivered by Dr. Margaret Rae, CEO of Konree Innovation, an aquaculture technology company. She provided invaluable advice to aspiring founders, drawing on her extensive industry experience.
Moreover, Dr. Robert J. Crammond, Senior Lecturer at the University of the West of Scotland, followed with an engaging and interactive session focused on supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs. University of Galway’s School of Engineering professor, W. Bernard Carlson, moderated a lively discussion with thought-provoking questions.
The event also featured compelling startup pitches from Brian McHale-Boyle and Carla Rosenkranz, both affiliated with AgInnovate / TechInnovate. Their innovative business ideas were evaluated by Dr. Emer Cahill of Atlantic Technological University. Additionally, Raquel Amaral of F6S provided insights into the upcoming ADT4Blue Open Calls, outlining opportunities for new projects and funding within the program.
As part of the program, attendees toured the PorterShed and met with David Stafford, CFO of Siren, who introduced visitors to the company’s advanced intelligence solutions for maritime security. Discussions also took place with Kieron Donohue of XYZ Engineering regarding their innovative remotely operated vehicles for subsea inspections.
The ADT4Blue initiative continues to foster innovation and collaboration in the blue economy, supporting cutting-edge digital technologies that drive economic growth across Atlantic coastal regions. The Entrepreneurship Showcase and Consortium Meeting reinforced the importance of international partnerships and technological advancements in shaping the future of maritime industries.
