Call for Applications to Participate in the NARWHAL CHALLENGE

The NARWHAL CHALLENGE would like to invite applications from maritime and ocean technology start-ups and project leaders based in North America and interested in establishing their presence in Europe through the Finistère area of the Brittany region in France.

The western part of the Brittany region in western France, also known as Finistère, has a large maritime based economy with :

• 1391 kilometers of coastline
• 40,400 jobs in the maritime sector
• 1st European port for offloading seaweed
• 40 hectares dedicated to renewable marine energy
• A center for academic excellence with 1600 students, 730 researchers,
• According to the Shanghai Index, the University of Bretagne Occidentale is ranked 12^th in the field of oceanography.

Startups and project leaders in the following categories are eligible to apply :

• Naval and sailing
• Defense, safety and maritime security
• Maritime energy and mining resources
• Marine biological resources
• Environment and seaboard appreciation
• Maritime ports, logistics and transportation
• Tourism

What is the NARWHAL CHALLENGE ?

The objective of this challenge is to select innovative project and startups looking for an expansion into the European market through the Brittany region of France. This immersive program of one week would allow the participants to connect with the local academic and economic eco-system and would also allow them to :

• Link with a network of potential clients, partners and potential investors
• Gain an insight into the regional maritime economy
• Share their expertise and experiences

How to apply:

• Companies interested by this opportunity can apply on line though this link.
• Deadline to apply: October 4, 2019
• Selection phase: October 5 to October 15, 2019
• Immersion week in France: December 9 to December 14, 2019

Financial assistance: A 500 euros travel assistance, boarding & lodging as well as some meals are also included for the selected companies. Project partners:

The Narwhal Challenge initiative has been launched in partnership with Village by CA Finistère, an innovative project accelerator and member of the 1st start-up support network in Europe, and the Campus mondial de la mer in Brest which is a project focused on the development of a sustainable maritime economy, or “blue development”.