Women in Ocean Food Innovation Studio 2027 — Latin America & Caribbean

About

An equity-free, 12-month business-support program for women-led blue-economy ventures in Latin America and the Caribbean, beginning with a nine-day in-person studio in La Paz, Mexico, in January 2027.

Benefits

• ✈️ Travel, Accommodation and Meals
  Covered: The programme covers travel, accommodation and food costs for two participants per team
• 🧑‍🏫 Mentorship and Expert Guidance
  Access: Teams receive individualised mentorship from industry leaders and one-to-one sessions with Hatch Blue and Conservation International teams
• 💼Business Development and Fundraising Support
  Access: Support includes company formation, business strategy, product commercialisation and fundraising strategy, including market intelligence, go-to-market strategy, pitch development and investor guidance
• 🤝Investor and Industry Connections
  Access: Participants receive investor introductions regardless of investment decisions, industry discovery trips to aquaculture facilities, and access to a global network of women-led blue-economy companies
• 📈Follow-on Investment Consideration
  Conditional: Hatch Blue and Conservation International Ventures may consider follow-on investment, depending on fit and readiness; investment is not guaranteed
• 🗓️ Programme Duration and Structure
  Confirmed: The programme begins with nine days of in-person programming in La Paz, Mexico, followed by 12 months of support
• 🚫Equity and Cash Investment
  Confirmed: The programme takes no equity and provides no cash investment during participation

Eligibility Criteria

• 👩‍💼 Women-Led Ventures
• Mandatory: Applicants must be women founders or current decision-makers in their companies. Projects or companies must be led, founded or co-founded by women, or have women serving as genuine decision-makers
• 🌎 Geographic and Sector Focus
• Mandatory: The venture must be developing a solution in Latin America or the Caribbean in one or more eligible areas: sustainable or regenerative aquaculture, marine biotechnology, aquatech, seafood value chains, seafood waste revalorisation, blue carbon or ocean conservation
• 🏢 Eligible Venture Profiles
• Mandatory: Applicants must fit one of the eligible profiles: startups with high-potential solutions; established companies ready to scale; research teams with at least a proof of concept and a route to market; or cooperatives and associations structuring their growth
• 👥 Team Composition
• Preferred: At least one participant is required, with two co-founders ideally participating
• 📋 Legal Registration
• Not required at application: A registered legal entity is not required when applying, but readiness to register by the end of the programme is expected

Participation Commitments

• No equity investment is taken during the program.
• Selected teams must attend a compulsory full-time, in-person nine-day studio in La Paz, Mexico, starting 25 January 2027; on-site presence is required.
• Teams should have at least one participant, ideally two co-founders, and travel, accommodation and meals are covered for up to two participants per team.

Target Region

Latin America and the Caribbean

Target Sector

Agriculture & Food, Other