Hatch Blue and Conservation International Ventures lead this initiative.
The fifth edition of Women in Ocean Food, organized by Hatch Blue and Conservation International Ventures, officially kicked off on January 26 in La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico.
On this occasion, the Studio runs for 10 days and includes a range of activities organized throughout the year to help close the gap faced by women founders in the blue economy.
This initiative is specifically aimed at women who are developing climate-positive solutions in areas such as aquaculture, marine biotechnology, seafood value chains, ocean conservation, and blue carbon.
"Since 2024, Women in Ocean Food has grown into a community where graduates continue to support one another; serving as mentors, meeting online or in person, and staying connected even when they live in different countries," said Mariana Flores, Community Manager at Hatch Blue.
On this occasion, the participants—coming from various countries across Latin America and the Caribbean—are working across a wide range of disciplines. These include initiatives such as converting invasive sargassum into clean fuel, AI-powered monitoring of marine ecosystems, and bio-based solutions to address industrial pollution.
"Women are building some of the most compelling solutions in the ocean food system, yet they continue to face disproportionate barriers to capital and support," alerted Gracie White, Director at Conservation International Ventures.
The event will culminate in a Community Day in La Paz on Thursday, February 5, offering an opportunity to meet the founders and entrepreneurs and dive deeper into their presentations.
The program is sponsored by Innovaciones Alumbra, Builders Initiative, the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), Schmidt Marine Technology Partners, the Beyster Foundation for Enterprise Development, and the Sea Forward Fund.