On 14 May 2025, an important workshop dedicated to potential investors in the aquaponics sector was held in Portogruaro, organised within the framework of the European project BeBlue. The event provided a concrete opportunity for entrepreneurs, industry experts, and project partners to meet and exchange ideas, with the aim of promoting the development of sustainable and innovative production systems that integrate soilless cultivation and aquaculture.
The workshop opened with introductory remarks by Prof. Roberto Pastres (Ca' Foscari University of Venice) and Dr. Marco Francese (Shoreline), who presented the day’s programme and emphasised the practical, solution-oriented nature of the initiative: to deliver actionable insights and respond to the real needs of operators already active in plant and animal primary production, whether looking to expand existing hydroponic systems or invest in aquaponics from the ground up.
The first part of the morning featured presentations by the BeBlue project mentors and a virtual tour of the aquaponics pilot systems. The second part was dedicated to B2B meetings between mentors and prospective investors, offering space for in-depth discussion of application strategies, technical requirements, and economic considerations. These meetings helped initiate new collaborations and fostered the exchange of knowledge between stakeholders.
The event was met with strong interest and confirms the growing attention towards circular, efficient, and resilient production models capable of addressing today’s environmental and food security challenges.
