Call for Pitches: Energy Transition in Fisheries Innovations 2025

Energy Transition in Fisheries Innovations 2025 is an open innovation competition seeking practical solutions to enhance energy efficiency and reduce CO₂ emissions in the commercial fishing sector. The competition forms part of the international Energy Transition in Fisheries conference, to be held in Helsinki on 4–5 November 2025.

Companies, research organisations or any other entity developing concrete solutions to advance the energy transition and energy efficiency in fisheries are invited to enter a pitching competition for innovations enhancing energy efficiency in the fisheries sector.

You can apply through this online form to present a 3-5 minutes pitch to the conference audience on your innovative solution.

Finalists will be selected by a multinational steering group and will be invited to present their innovations at the conference. The organisers may reimburse reasonable travel and accommodation expenses for those selected. 

The innovation with the highest combined score will receive a prize of €5,000. The winner will be announced during the closing session of the conference.

How to participate

Submit your innovation that improves energy efficiency and reduces carbon emissions – or introduces a completely new perspective on the energy transition in commercial fishing.

The innovation may take the form of a technical solution, a service, a process, or a new way of working – provided it clearly advances energy efficiency in fishing activities. Participation is straightforward: simply complete the registration form via the link below. Registration opens on 15 August 2025 and closes on 30 September 2025.

Eligibility and evaluation criteria

You may submit an innovation that has been developed or is already in use. The innovation may be owned by a company, organisation, or individual. Eligibility is restricted to applicants based in Europe (EU27 + EEA countries + UK). A good innovation does not have to be large – every idea, big or small, is equally welcome.

Evaluation criteria:

• Impact on energy efficiency and emissions: To what extent does the innovation improve energy efficiency or reduce CO₂ emissions in commercial fishing, for example relative to the amount of catch (e.g. kW saved or % GHG reduction per tonne of landed fish)?
• Innovativeness: How novel is the thinking or technology behind the innovation?
• Economic viability: How realistic and practical is the implementation of the innovation in the fishing sector? Can cost-effectiveness, ROI, or financial benefits be demonstrated?
• Scalability and market potential: Can the innovation be adopted more widely across the sector?
• Responsibility and sustainability: How does the innovation support socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable development?