The Cádiz Free Trade Zone has initiated Blue Exterior, a crucial program for the internationalization of the Blue Economy in the province. This initiative has selected 15 business projects with high global growth potential, marking a significant step in supporting the local productive sector.
Presented at the Zona Base Incubazul building, the primary goal of Blue Exterior is to accelerate the international projection of innovative companies operating in the marine sector. Over the next two months, participating firms will follow an intensive itinerary designed to define and consolidate their international strategies.
The program offers a combination of strategic advice, specialized mentoring, and individualized support. This methodology aims to facilitate access to new markets and strengthen competitive business models on a global scale. Project selection followed a rigorous evaluation process by experts in internationalization and business development, who assessed the viability and expansion capacity of each proposal.
The 2026 edition stands out for the diversity of sectors represented, ranging from advanced technological solutions to proposals focused on sustainability and the valorization of marine resources. Among the selected projects are ActionTracker, specializing in IoT and artificial intelligence for industrial management; EONSEA, focused on underwater robotics; and Macaon, which develops conversational artificial intelligence systems for port environments.
In the biotechnology field, initiatives such as Alga Málaga, dedicated to algae biomass production, and Pigmenta Algae, exploring the artistic use of natural marine pigments, are prominent. Established maritime engineering companies like ATRIDEL and technological proposals such as Black Sand Marine are also participating. Sustainability and territorial development are represented by Consultora Ambiental Trafalgar, specializing in environmental management linked to the Blue Economy.
The agri-food sector also plays a significant role with projects that blend innovation and tradition. Examples include Escaramujo Wines, which focuses on underwater wine aging; Flavoom, working on the valorization of agricultural surpluses; and Productos La Salá and Salaria Productos, which explore the gastronomic potential of natural resources from the Bay of Cádiz, such as salicornia and artisanal sea salt.
Digitalization is another fundamental pillar, with proposals like IDRA, centered on optimizing water usage through sensors, and EggOn, which applies artificial intelligence to traceability and energy efficiency. Additionally, blue tourism is boosted with initiatives such as A Toda Vela – Sea Starlight, combining sailing and astronomy in sustainable experiences.
With Blue Exterior, the Free Trade Zone reinforces its commitment to the business fabric, supporting both its development and international expansion. This program is integrated into the Incubazul - Blue Core ecosystem, which has already supported over a hundred projects and continues to expand its scope with specific programs like Blue Accelerator, Blue Financiación, and Blue Core 360. This initiative is part of a broader model that includes acceleration, financing, and business competitiveness improvement programs, largely supported by European funds, such as the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER), which finances 85% of the Blue Core project within the Pluriregional Operational Program of Spain 2021-2027.
