Deadline: October 31, 2025
Applications are open for the Women in Ocean Food Innovation Studio Latin America & Caribbean 2026. Ocean food sustains the livelihoods of more than 600 million people around the world (FAO, 2024), but women continue to be left out of key roles in the sector. The Women in Ocean Food Innovation Studio is actively working to address these gender disparities by hosting an equity-free, business support program for female founders and leadership teams driving change in the blue economy.
The program equips startup founders, entrepreneurs, and community leaders to build solutions and drive change across sustainable aquaculture, marine biotech, seafood value chains, ocean conservation, and blue carbon. Participants receive mentorship from global industry experts, curated connections, and ongoing post-program support to accelerate commercial growth and real-world impact.
Benefits
- Support with company formation, business strategy, product commercialization, and fundraising strategy
- Long-term support and access to network of dedicated venture philanthropists and impact investors; monthly post-program follow-ups
- Potential for follow-on investment with Hatch Blue and CIV
- Local industry discovery trips to area farms
- Individualized mentorship; teams are paired with relevant industry leaders & also participate in 1-to-1 sessions with Hatch Blue and Conservation International teams
- Opportunity to connect with global network of female-led companies operating throughout the blue economy
Costs
- All travel, accommodation, and food costs will be covered by the program for those successful applications (2 participants per team).
Eligibility
- Open to female founders and leadership teams driving change in the blue economy.
- You do not need to have a registered entity upon application, but they expect that you are ready to do so by the end of the program.
- On-site presence is required as they will run all activities in one location. In their experience, physically connecting with the cohort, Hatch Blue team and its mentors is far more rewarding and productive.
Application
The program lasts 12 months and begins with a full-time 10-day studio. The program starts on Monday, 26 January 2026.
For more information, visit Women in Ocean Food.
