Partners of the new Baltic Blue Resilience (BBR) project met in Kuopio, Finland, for a three-day kick-off meeting. Klaipeda Science and Technology Park was represented by Karolina Jasaitytė and Audronė Liesytė.

The project addresses a challenge that is becoming increasingly important for cities across the Baltic Sea Region: how to manage stormwater in a more coordinated, sustainable and climate-resilient way. More extreme rainfall increases the risk of urban flooding, while stormwater can also carry nutrients, heavy metals and microplastics into the environment. At the same time, responsibilities for water management are often divided between several organisations, making effective coordination essential.

Over the next two years, BBR partners will examine how stormwater is currently managed in different regions, analyse existing practices, challenges and gaps, and bring together municipalities, infrastructure providers, experts and other relevant stakeholders. The findings will feed into joint regional action plans and, ultimately, a replicable methodology supported by a practical guidebook that can help other regions address their own stormwater challenges.

The kick-off meeting also created an opportunity to learn from projects and initiatives that have already accumulated experience in water management and climate resilience. Lessons from NOAH, WaterMan, Symbioter, CityBlues, ReCircWater, Circular Ocean-bound Plastic, Water Smart Territories Connect and Baltic Smart Water Hub were among those shared during the programme. Participants also visited the WaterLAB at Savonia University of Applied Sciences and spent time at the Savonia campus. The programme included a visit to Kuopio’s Puijo Tower, offering a different perspective on the city and the surrounding Finnish lake landscape.

Baltic Blue Resilience brings together five project partners:

• Savonia University of Applied Sciences, Finland – Lead Partner;
• Sustainable Business Hub, Sweden;
• Klaipeda Science and Technology Park, Lithuania;
• Gdańsk–Gdynia–Sopot Metropolitan Area Association, Poland;
• Clean – Denmark’s Water & Environment Cluster, Denmark.

The project is co-funded by the European Union through the Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme 2021–2027.

Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or Interreg Baltic Sea Region. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

The International Conference on Bioenergy & Bioeconomy (IBBC 2026) will take place on 28–30 October 2026 at the University of Seville, Spain, bringing together researchers, industry professionals, technology developers, startups, investors and policymakers working across the bioenergy and circular bioeconomy sectors.

Now in its second edition, IBBC 2026 aims to connect scientific research with industrial deployment, policy and investment. The conference will focus not only on emerging technologies, but also on their commercialisation, scale-up and application in industry, creating opportunities for knowledge exchange and new partnerships between research, business and public-sector organisations.

The programme is structured around academic, joint academic–industry and industry tracks. Topics include biomass feedstocks and sustainable resource use, biorefineries, biofuels and other bioenergy carriers, biochemical and thermochemical conversion technologies, hydrogen and Power-to-X integration, digitalisation and AI, life-cycle assessment, industrial symbiosis, technology transfer and cooperation between academia, industry and government.

IBBC 2026 will also bring an international group of experts to Seville. Representatives of universities, research institutions and companies from Europe and beyond are included in the announced programme, with organisations such as BASF, Siemens Energy, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Imperial College London, the World Bioeconomy Association and Natural Resources Canada represented among the speakers and expert boards.

For companies, researchers and technology developers, the conference provides an opportunity to explore emerging technologies and market trends, identify potential research and innovation partners, and connect with organisations working to bring bioenergy and bioeconomy solutions closer to real-world implementation.

Klaipeda Science and Technology Park has joined IBBC 2026 as an information partner, helping share the conference and its opportunities with Lithuania’s innovation, research and business community.

IBBC 2026
28–30 October 2026
University of Seville, Spain

More information and registration: https://ibbce.com/

On 17 September, Startup Fair 2026, one of Lithuania’s leading startup events, will take place at LITEXPO in Vilnius. The event will bring together startup founders, investors, business leaders and representatives of innovation organisations from Lithuania and abroad.

The programme will feature talks and discussions on business growth, investment, international markets and the future of technology, as well as opportunities to meet potential partners and investors.

One of the key highlights will be the Pitch Battle, where selected startups will present their solutions to an international audience of investors.

Startup Fair is a valuable opportunity for those looking to build new connections, explore funding opportunities, meet potential business partners and gain a broader view of the Lithuanian and international startup landscape.

More information and tickets: startupfair.lt

This autumn, EIT Water offers three different opportunities for startups, innovators and early-career professionals working with water, marine and nature restoration solutions, from startup pitching events to practical training in Berlin. Which one is the right fit for you? It depends on the solution you are developing and the stage you are currently at.

1. Working on water, climate resilience or industrial sustainability solutions?

EIT Water WAVEMAKER Baltics 2026 will take place on 26 September at Klaipeda Science and Technology Park, during the international PORTATHON 2026 hackathon. The programme is open to startups, SMEs and research-based teams developing solutions in the following areas:

• water efficiency, recycling and circularity;
• climate resilience and adaptation;
• marine and freshwater quality;
• industrial decarbonisation.

Selected teams will take part in pitch training, receive feedback from mentors and business experts, and present their solutions to a jury. The three highest-rated teams will receive EIT Water membership for 2027, while the winner will be invited to represent the Baltic region at the EIT Water Launch Event.

This opportunity is a good fit if you are already developing an innovation and want to present it to a broader Baltic and international audience.

More information and registration:
https://www.deep-ecosystems.com/eit-water-wavemaker-baltics-2026

2. Is your startup focused on marine conservation or nature restoration?

The WAVEMAKER Marine Conservation Start-up Award final will take place in Berlin on 16 September. The competition is open to European startups and spin-offs developing solutions that contribute to marine ecosystem protection or nature restoration. Five finalists will be selected and will receive expert mentoring as well as financial support towards travel to Berlin. The three highest-rated finalists will receive one year of EIT Water membership, while the winner will progress to the European WAVEMAKER final in Malaga and compete for a €5,000 award.

Applications are open until 20 August.

More information and registration:
https://blueactionmatch.hivebrite.com/events/217627

3. Looking to strengthen your knowledge and practical skills?

Nature Restoration Academy is a free programme for students, early-career professionals and practitioners interested in marine and freshwater ecosystem restoration. The two-day training will take place in Berlin on 29–30 October and will cover topics including:

• nature-based solutions for marine and freshwater restoration;
• practical European restoration case studies;
• citizen science and digital monitoring;
• restoration in offshore wind farms;
• business models and funding for restoration projects.

Up to 30 participants will be selected. Applications are open until 15 September.

More information and registration:
https://blueactionmatch.hivebrite.com/events/218363

Lithuanian FinTech startups and scaleups are invited to Discover Vienna and explore opportunities in Austria and the wider DACH market – Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The programme is designed to give startups direct access to the local ecosystem: founders, investors and innovators, potential business partners, as well as expert insights into opportunities for entering the Austrian market.

Selected participants can receive reimbursement of up to €2,000 for travel, accommodation and/or event ticket costs for one person per startup, as well as organisational support before and during their visit. More mature startups and scaleups may also be offered free business development coaching. Participants can additionally express interest in joining the delegation to the Future Forward event in Vienna on 26 November.

The call is open to FinTech startups and scaleups based in Lithuania, established within the past five years, with a working prototype and their first customers already on board.

Applications are open until 6 September 2026.

More information

Apply here

A modern port creates value far beyond the waterfront. It strengthens trade, supports business growth and contributes to the wider economy. Its future depends on people who are ready to test new technologies and turn promising ideas into practical solutions.

This September, PORTATHON will bring together young talent, researchers, experienced professionals and companies for 48 hours of focused work on pressing maritime challenges.

The Minister’s patronage highlights the importance of supporting ideas that can begin in Klaipeda and grow into solutions for Lithuania and international markets.

📍 Klaipeda, Lithuania
📅 25–27 September 2026

Registration links:

For participants:
https://forms.gle/VtofKAgtB2MxUXBb6

For mentors:
https://forms.gle/t83ZCNrztayFuzt36

Challenge registration:
https://forms.gle/neLW3CryzfSbpXFR8

More information:
PORTATHON

The event is organised by Klaipeda Science and Technology Park and Klaipeda University.

Port competitiveness has traditionally been measured by scale, cargo-handling capacity, connectivity and speed. A recent World Economic Forum article argues that other factors will become increasingly important: the ability to adapt to climate change, reduce pressure on the natural environment and prepare for shifts in technology and the skills required across the sector.

As ports evolve into hubs for clean energy, data, automated systems and new industrial processes, their transformation will require more than investment in infrastructure. It will also depend on practical solutions that connect technology, sustainability and safety with the operational needs of ports and maritime businesses.

PORTATHON 2026: 48 Hours to Develop New Solutions

Ideas addressing these challenges will take shape in Klaipeda on 25–27 September during the international port technology hackathon PORTATHON 2026, organized by Klaipeda Science and Technology Park and Klaipeda University.

Hosted by Klaipeda Science and Technology Park, the 48-hour event will bring together students, researchers, technology developers, start-ups and professionals from different fields. Working in multidisciplinary teams, participants will develop solutions to real challenges submitted by the maritime sector.

This year’s challenge areas include cybersecurity and safe navigation, artificial intelligence and unmanned technologies, green and resilient ports, environmental protection and the circular economy.

Registration for participants and teams: https://forms.gle/Ai5CYKG2ftdBuaCXA

Register as a mentor: https://forms.gle/wwKY26vJGWV1pJ2m8

Share your challenge: https://forms.gle/ebxtJ8inZ4tpptqL9

This article was prepared with reference to the World Economic Forum publication “How ports can look to nature, climate and people for a new competitive edge”.

Applications are open for the International Solar Alliance’s Green Hydrogen and Storage Startup Challenge 2026.

The global call is aimed at startups working on green hydrogen production and derivatives, energy storage, hydrogen transportation, industrial applications and related enabling technologies. Both early-stage concepts and solutions that have reached market validation or commercialization may apply.

Selected startups will have access to acceleration support, international networks and potential seed funding.

Applications close on 9 August 2026. More information and applications via the official International Solar Alliance website.

Some future technology companies do not have a name yet. Some of their future founders are still students, early-career professionals or simply people looking for the right place to test what they can do.

On 25–27 September, more than 100 of them are expected to come together in Klaipeda for PORTATHON 2026, the international port technology hackathon organised by Klaipeda Science and Technology Park together with Klaipeda University.

For 48 hours, multidisciplinary teams will work on challenges across cybersecurity and safe navigation, AI and unmanned technologies, green and resilient ports, environment and circular economy.

This year, we are inviting companies to become part of that process.

The most valuable audience is not necessarily the largest one

PORTATHON is not a mass event attracting tens of thousands of visitors. For partners, that is precisely part of its value. For an entire weekend, one space is filled with students, programmers, engineers, researchers, young professionals and startup-minded creators. They are not walking past a sponsor’s banner for a few seconds. They are working, discussing ideas, having coffee, testing concepts, speaking to mentors and preparing their first pitches.

That creates something conventional advertising rarely does: time and proximity to a highly concentrated young talent audience.

These are people who will soon become technology specialists, project leaders, founders, customers and decision-makers. For companies looking to strengthen their employer brand, introduce a product to a younger audience or simply build an early relationship with the next generation of professionals, PORTATHON offers an unusually natural setting to do so.

The numbers show that this community is growing. PORTATHON 2025 attracted 120 participants from nine countries, forming 20 teams supported by 22 international mentors. Nineteen teams reached the final presentations, while registration had to be closed ahead of schedule because the venue had reached its physical capacity.

Sometimes 48 hours are only the beginning

The value of PORTATHON does not end when the awards are handed out on Sunday. PORTATHON partnership as more than sponsorship of a three-day event. It is a chance to encounter talent before their CV reaches a recruitment inbox. To hear an idea before it becomes a product. To meet a team before it becomes a company.

For challenge providers, there is another benefit: concentrated attention from a multidisciplinary group looking at a business problem without the assumptions that often accumulate around it in day-to-day operations. Companies and organisations can submit their own challenges and work alongside participants as they develop possible solutions.

The interesting part is being there early.

There is more than one way to be a PORTATHON partner

PORTATHON is a maritime technology hackathon, but its partners do not have to come exclusively from the maritime industry.

The ports of the future depend on software, engineering, AI, cybersecurity, energy, design, data and many other fields. They also depend on the people behind those technologies.

For this reason, partnership can take many forms.

A company may contribute financially, support the prize fund, provide technology, products or services, nominate an expert to mentor teams, or bring a challenge that deserves a fresh perspective. A consumer brand might become part of participants’ 48-hour experience through food, coffee or other products. A technology company may use PORTATHON to introduce itself to future employees or identify promising teams.

The size of the contribution is not the only thing that matters. A partnership works best when there is a clear connection between the company, the participants and the experience being created. Partners become visible throughout the event environment and PORTATHON communication. Depending on the format, their products, experts or technologies can also become a natural part of event photography, video and content created by participants themselves.

PORTATHON already has a track record of attracting strong business involvement. Last year’s supporters and partners included Klaipeda Port, Western Shipyard Group, Ignitis Renewables, Schneider Electric Lietuva, Omega 365 Lithuania, Phoenix Contact and other organisations.

Let’s build the future of ports together

PORTATHON has been bringing people willing to tackle difficult maritime challenges to Klaipeda since 2019. In 2026, the hackathon returns for its eighth edition. Some partners may help a young team keep going through a long night of work. Others may put technology into participants’ hands, share expertise or help fund the ideas that stand out.

One company may meet a future employee. Another may discover a team worth following. Somewhere in the room, an idea that does not yet have a company name may be taking its first serious step.

PORTATHON 2026 takes place on 25–27 September at Klaipeda Science and Technology Park.

Companies interested in becoming PORTATHON 2026 partners are invited to get in touch:

Erika Zavackienė
erika@kmtp.lt
+370 630 77161

More about PORTATHON 2026:
https://kmtp.lt/portathon/portathon-2026/

On 16 September 2026, five marine restoration start-ups and spin-offs will take the stage at the WAVEMAKER Marine Conservation Startup Award in Berlin to pitch their ventures to an expert jury and an audience of industry leaders, researchers and public authorities from across the blue economy.  

Hosted by the SUBMARINER Network and funded by EIT Water, with support from the Poul Due Jensen Foundation (Grundfos Foundation), the award celebrates business ideas that are making marine protection and nature restoration more efficient and effective. 

Any European start-up and spin-off working in this field can apply, and five finalists will be selected for the award ceremony. Of those, three winners will receive a one-year membership to EIT Water, the new EU innovation community for the water sector. The membership opens doors to funding opportunities, business support and partners across Europe. The first-place winner will go on to the European WAVEMAKER final at the EIT Water Launch Event in Málaga on 15 October 2026, competing with regional winners from across the continent for the European title and a EUR 5,000 prize. 

The award ceremony takes place immediately after the kick-off of SPHERE, an EU Mission Ocean project on marine protection and co-organiser of this event, coordinated by s.Pro Sustainable Projects. It is a unique opportunity to meet and network with more than 15 restoration partners from nine countries across Europe, experts from the MPA-Community Network, and other organisations shaping the future of marine restoration. 

Read more here.