Learning by doing
Learn with innovative methodologies with dynamics and creative tools
Multidisciplinary teams
Collaborate with people who bring disruptive ideas and join teams with varied profiles.
Certified
Become an expert by completing an online course on the blue economy.
Free
Travel across Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Tenerife, and Lanzarote with all expenses covered.
Fuerteventura Recap 2025
Gran Canaria Recap 2025
Tenerife Recap 2025
Schedule
COMING SOON
Lanzarote
Brigada Azul
Move responsibly: arriving together is better!
Relive BlueUp 2025 in Pictures
What came after BlueUp VIII?
Team 1
Blucaína
1st Prize
- Canary Seafeed is a biorefinery project that transforms seaweed washed ashore along the coasts of Gran Canaria into agricultural fertilisers and nutritional supplements for livestock.
- Team 1: Alejandro Jesús Marrero, Elena Sardiña, Gastón Blondeau, Alba Ortega.
Equipo 2
Los Sharks
- BlueHarvest is a pilot initiative designed as a scalable and replicable model that combines research, innovation, and the creation of marine-related employment while enhancing food security and protecting the marine ecosystem.
- Team 2: Guadalupe Andrés, Juan Carlos García, Pablo Luis Duarte, Estela López, Paula García.
Team 3
Las Fulas
2nd Prize
- EVI Canarias (Itinerant Virtual Experience) is a project dedicated to the conservation of marine biodiversity through an innovative learning approach that combines cutting-edge technology with immersive sensory experiences. Its goal is to make the existing knowledge and ongoing research on the Canary Islands’ marine ecosystem more accessible, engaging, and interconnected.
- Team 3: Carla Pérez, Luz Mar García, José Rodolfo Azogue, Laura Medaglia, and María Casal.
Team 4
4Gotas
3rd Prize
- Nereia is a marine biofilter designed to be installed at the outlet of submarine outfalls. Its purpose is to reduce bacteria, faecal matter, and other pollutants before wastewater is discharged into the sea.
- Team 4: Fabián Negrín, Danilo Máximo, Cristina Viera, and Yezabel del Carmen González.
Equipo 5
Microalgaria
- MICROALGARIA is a research and development project focused on creating a 100% natural sunscreen made from locally sourced microalgae. The product is designed to be safe for marine ecosystems while offering moisturising, sun-protective, and antioxidant properties.
- Team 5: Atteneri Pérez, Lucas Valentín, Alejandra Jordan, and Nerea Rivero.
Equipo 6
Bluemoon
- Bluelines is a technology-based system implemented in the Canary Islands to detect cetaceans in advance and prevent collisions with ferries. Its mission is to protect marine biodiversity while contributing to climate change mitigation by supporting the preservation of phytoplankton.
- Team 6: Judith Roca, Lucas Agustín, Bianca Álamo, Melanie Elizabeth, and María de los Ángeles Pérez.
Equipo 7
Cactus
- iChucho is an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) designed to detect and map solid waste submerged in ports, providing accurate data on the location and type of debris.
- Team 7: Leyre Galindo, Ángel David Hernández, Ylenia Rodríguez, Diego Fraga, and Jannai Rodríguez.
Equipo 8
Squantina Viva
- Angelshark Sanctuary is a project focused on restoring the marine ecosystem of the angelshark, a species that is critically endangered. The initiative uses sensors and radar technology to monitor the species in real time within its natural habitat, supporting its conservation and recovery.
- Team 8: Sergio Cordobés, Selena Espinosa, Lidia María del Castillo, Keyla Navarro, and Adrián Abad.
Follow us on social media!
We are a sustainable event, with real impact and minimal waste
And in addition, we have clear strategies to achieve objectives
FAQS
BlueUp is an innovation and entrepreneurship programme that fosters the development of ideas and projects within the Blue Economy. Over the course of five days, entrepreneurs, startups, professionals, researchers, and students collaborate with expert mentors to transform real-world challenges into innovative projects with strong potential for growth and impact.
BlueUp IX will take place from 21 to 25 September 2026, with an additional environmental action taking place in October, across four Canary Islands:
- Fuerteventura (21 September): Cultural research and challenge exploration.
- Gran Canaria (22 September): Innovation hackathon and mentoring sessions.
- Tenerife (23–25 September): Final project development, presentations, and awards ceremony.
- Lanzarote (date to be confirmed): Environmental action.
Accommodation (where required), inter-island transport, and meals throughout the programme are fully covered for all participants.
BlueUp IX is designed for people aged 18 and over who are passionate about innovation, entrepreneurship, and developing projects that make a positive impact within the Blue Economy. We welcome participants from diverse backgrounds who are eager to contribute their knowledge, creativity, and enthusiasm to turn ideas into real-world solutions.
If you identify with any of the following profiles, BlueUp is for you:
BLUE
Individuals involved in the Blue Economy, the marine environment, sustainability, environmental sciences, marine biology, blue tourism, or related sectors.
DIGITAL
Professionals or enthusiasts with an interest in digital marketing, artificial intelligence, data analytics, digital communication, or emerging technologies.
TECH
People with backgrounds in engineering, technology, product development, innovation, or software development.
CREATIVE
Designers, creatives, communicators, UX specialists, branding professionals, audiovisual creators, or individuals from artistic disciplines.
BUSINESS
Entrepreneurs, startup founders, and professionals in business, economics, finance, management, innovation, or business model development.
To participate, you must also:
- Be 18 years of age or older.
- Be available to participate throughout the entire programme.
- Have a proactive attitude, strong teamwork skills, critical thinking, creativity, and a willingness to learn.
- Have an idea, a project, or a genuine interest in developing innovative solutions with real impact.
Ready to set sail for innovation?
BlueUp IX is a free programme made possible by the support of our partner organisations and public institutions.
All participants will receive meals during the programme, transport, accommodation (where required), hands-on mentoring from industry experts, and exclusive BlueUp merchandise at no cost.
You can view the full list of our partners using the link below:
You can join individually or as part of a team, whether or not you already have an idea or project. Just fill in your information, and you’re ready to get started.
Your registration includes:
✔️ Full access to all BlueUp IX activities and workshops.
✔️ Inspiring talks and mentoring sessions with experts from the innovation and Blue Economy ecosystem.
✔️ Team collaboration, networking opportunities, and project development.
✔️ Eligibility to compete for the programme’s awards and recognitions.
✔️ Exclusive BlueUp IX merchandise.
✔️ Coffee breaks and lunches throughout the programme.
✔️ Transport arranged by the organisation.
✔️ Accommodation, where required based on your place of residence.
Please note: Accommodation will only be provided to participants who need to stay overnight in order to attend the programme due to where they live.
BlueUp recognises the commitment, innovation, and potential of the most promising ideas through three tiered awards. A multidisciplinary panel of judges will evaluate each team based on criteria such as their impact on the Blue Economy, feasibility, level of development, originality, and sustainability.
The prizes for this edition will be announced soon.
You can read the Terms and Conditions at the following link:
