North Atlantic Blue BioTech Summit, 2026
Transforming Marine Resources for use in High-Value Markets
The ocean unlocks new biological inputs for real applications - marine organisms offer novel molecules and materials not found on land. Early commercial use is already underway across food and feed ingredients, biomaterials and bioplastics, health and wellness, and agricultural inputs and biostimulants.
Blue Biotechnology matters now because markets are shifting - consumers expect healthier food, regenerative agriculture, and cleaner materials, and companies need biological alternatives to high-impact inputs.
The North Atlantic Blue BioTech Summit – co-hosted by Hatch Blue and the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences on March 19 in Portland, Maine – is a curated investment and market-access platform. This invite-only convening of investors, corporates, innovators, and policymakers is designed to accelerate science-to-startup translation, increase high-quality deal flow, connect innovation directly to corporate and investor demand, and focus on real interaction.
Benefits of attending include direct conversations with curated founders before broad market exposure in a setting designed for business development and insight into where policy, infrastructure and capital are aligning. Attendance is free of charge, thanks to support from the Maine Technology Institute.
Why Maine? Maine is a neutral convening point with real momentum, including rapid growth in life sciences and blue economy activity, new research and innovation infrastructure coming online, strong marine and life sciences and investment partners, and abundant and novel marine resources.
The Summit is where this work meets the market.
Event Program - Thursday March 19, 2026 – Portland, Maine, USA
9:00 - 9:45 am - Registration, Networking & Exhibitors with coffee & light snacks
10:00 - 11:30 - Session 1: Unlocking Marine Resources for New High-Value Applications
10:00 - Blue Biotech sector overview featuring Wayne Murphy (Hatch Blue, Co-Founder & Partner)
10:15 - Panel on R&D Frontiers featuring Greg Verdine (LifeMine Therapeutics), Line Kjelstrup (BioTech North), Jason Cleaversmith (PEI BioAlliance), Ólavur Gregersen (Ocean Rainforest), and Hope Hopkins (New England Venture Capital Association)
10:50 - Panel on North Atlantic Opportunities featuring David O'Brien (NOAA Office of Aquaculture), Margaret Angell (ElevenTwo), Martin Son (Tufts University), Sam Garwin (GreenWave) and Dana O'Brien (BioHarbor Strategies).
11:30 - 12:00 - Case Study Keynote: Thor Sigfusson (Iceland Ocean Cluster) – Volume to Value: How to Accelerate Blue Biotech in the U.S.
12:00 - 13:00 - Exhibitors & Networking with buffet lunch
13:00 - 14:40 - Session 2: State of the Industry, M&A and Exits Landscape - What’s Real, What’s Coming
13:00 - Panel on investor perspectives with Brigid O'Brien (RA Capital), John Soukas (Norfolk Green Ventures), Mike Gilkes (S2G Investments), Caitriona Kelleher (Hatch Blue), Brady Bohrmann (Avalon Ventures).
13:35 - Blue Biotech M&A and Exits overview featuring Jason Mitchell (Norfolk Green Ventures)
13:45 - Panel on corporate perspectives with Sarah Hosking (Unilever), David Seeley (Skretting), Paul Boudreau (UrthPact), Scott Franklin (Stonyfield/Lactalis), and Blaine Grimes (Ocean House Consulting)
14:40 - Founders fireside chat with Bjørn Liaset (BioMega Group), Myrna Gillis (Onda), and Tanja Hoel (Hatch Blue)
14:40 - 15:00 - Networking break
15:00 - 16:00 - Session 3: Curated founder pitches from the Maine Blue Biotech Innovation Studio
16:00 - 17:30 - Reception with Networking & Exhibitors
Exhibitor and Sponsorship Opportunities available! More info here:
https://bigelowlab.givingfuel.com/bluebiotechsummit
Thank you to our sponsors: Maine Technology Institute, Maine International Trade Center, Roger Williams University Center for Economic and Environmental Development
Lodging recommendations:
AC Hotel - Book by Feb 23 to receive discounted rate of $129/night and reduced parking. 5 min walk to event venue
Canopy by Hilton Portland Waterfront - Use this link to receive 10% of best available rates (or enter OCEAN into Group Code field to receive the same discount). 20 minute walk to the event venue.