Damen Startup Challenge

PROOF OF CONCEPT, COLLABORATION & INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES, INDUSTRY EXPERTISE & NETWORK Deadline passed

WE ARE DAMEN

 

Damen is a family-owned business that stands for fellowship, craftsmanship, entrepreneurship, and stewardship. We believe that our oceans, seas, lakes, and rivers offer humanity a growing range of possibilities in terms of trade, food, energy, and recreation. We provide maritime solutions to meet these opportunities, through design, shipbuilding, ship repair, and related services.

 

Damen Maritime Ventures is a new portfolio-oriented division within the Damen Group which drives innovation in the maritime industry and shapes the future of sustainable maritime solutions. With a focus on on-edge solutions, Damen wants to collaborate with impact-driven founders and startups with the purpose of transforming the maritime industry.

 

Damen and Unknown Group have set sail together to create the ‘Damen Startup Challenge’ to positively impact the future of our oceans and waters. Damen is collaborating and investing in startups to fully embrace the innovative capacity of entrepreneurs. By joining forces with bright, pragmatic, experienced men and women, Damen foresees an ocean of possibilities. Damen Maritime Ventures, the incubation hub of Damen, sees potential in each proposition: an idea is never too crazy!

 

Do you have an innovative solution that utilises sensors to improve maritime operations, and are you eager to collaborate with Damen?! This is the opportunity for you!

The deadline for this Challenge has passed, please check out our other Challenges

The challenge

Collaborate with Damen to advance global sustainable maritime operations through
innovative sensor solutions for the benefit of the vessels and the environment.
Two areas of focus can be distinguished:

The vessel

This domain revolves around solutions that help optimize vessel performance and maritime operations. This involves sensing solutions focused on more efficient, safe, and sustainable maritime operations. Examples of these solutions could be emission monitoring, energy optimization, smart equipment utilization, route optimization solutions, and environment and vessel behavior monitoring.

The environment

This domain focuses on sensing technologies that monitor the surroundings of the vessel. Applicable solutions could include ocean floor mapping, biodiversity screening, weather monitoring and prediction, water and air quality analysis, and pollution detection solutions.

What's in it for you

Wide range of collaboration possibilities with Damen:

  • Access to Damen's extensive network, such as markets, clients, events, suppliers, and financial partners.

  • Entry to Damen’s extensive Research and Development experts.

  • Leadership, legal, financial, marketing, and HR support to fast-track and materialise your business idea.

  • Early-stage investment from Damen and future rounds of investment support.

  • The possibility of testing and integrating your solutions in the Damen business.

  • Pitch your business idea during the Damen startup event.

What do we expect from you?

This challenge welcomes solutions and business ideas from all over the world. Participation that we are looking for:

  • (Wo)Man with a plan or early-stage business.

  • Ideas on how to commercialise your business idea.

  • Creative ideas on new maritime market opportunities is advantageous.

TIMELINE

FEBRUARY 26TH

APPLICATION DEADLINE

MARCH 9TH

SELECTION ANNOUNCEMENT

MARCH 15TH-24TH

INTERVIEW PHASE

MARCH 27TH

FINALISTS ANNOUCEMENT

MAY 10TH

DEMO DAY

Deadline passed

The deadline for this Challenge has passed, please check out our other Challenges