Join the Narwhale Ventures Ocean Accelerator (NOA) 2025!
Your Accelerator for Sustainable Blue Economy Growth in the Philippines.
What is NOA 2025?
The Narwhale Ventures Ocean Challenge (NOA) 2025 is a dedicated 8-week accelerator program designed to empower sustainabilitydriven Blue Economy startups.
Our core mission is to help innovative companies gain invaluable insights and access market opportunities within the vibrant and rapidly developing Blue Economy of the Philippines.
The NOA program is free-of-charge for participating startups. Startups winners of the Pitch Competition will win a Cash prize.
Our Focus
We connect ambitious foreign and Philippines-based Blue Economy startups with the knowledge, network, and resources needed to understand and succeed in the Philippine market. If you are an incorporated Blue Economy startup passionate about sustainability and looking to explore or expand in the Philippines, NOA is for you.
Who Should Apply
We are looking for:
- Blue Economy Startups: Your core business focuses on sustainable solutions within the Blue Economy (e.g., sustainable aquaculture, marine renewable energy, waste reduction, sustainable coastal tourism, maritime transport, etc.).
- Sustainability Driven: You have a clear commitment to positive environmental and social impact.
- Incorporated Entities: Your startup is already legally incorporated.
- Philippines Market Interest: You are seriously exploring or planning to enter the market in the Philippines.
- Global & Local: We welcome both foreign startups looking to enter the Philippines and Philippines-based startups seeking to scale.
- Ready to Engage: Teams committed to participating actively in online sessions and ideally, the key in-person events.
Why Join NOA 2025
Gain Critical Insights & Connections for Philippine Market Entry
Key Benefits
- Deep Market Intelligence: Understand the demand, trends, key players, and specific characteristics of various BE sub-sectors in the Philippines. Gain insights into the country’s climate and economic development goals
- Ecosystem Navigation: Get an overview of the Philippines’ innovation landscape, including VCs, family offices, corporate partners, incubators, grant opportunities, and potential exit partners.
- Essential Business Knowledge: Learn about the local legal, IP, and talent landscape crucial for operating in the Philippines.
- Practical Skills Workshops: Enhance your capabilities in market-relevant areas like Marketing & Sales, Branding & Communication, and Team Management tailored for the Philippine context.
- Pitch Perfecting: Receive expert training to refine your pitch for local and international stakeholders.
- Impact Measurement: Learn about ocean-specific impact frameworks and develop relevant targets to showcase your sustainability commitment.
- Investment Readiness: Understand diverse funding types, learn what investors seek, and get support for preparing your data room.
- Valuable Networking: Connect with fellow BE entrepreneurs, potential partners, experts, and government entities during dedicated online sessions and exclusive in-person events in the Philippines.
- Official Certification: Receive the Narwhale Ventures (NV) signed certificate upon successful program completion.
Program Structure & Key Dates
Your 8-Week Journey to Philippine Market Readiness
- Duration: 13 May – 01 July 2025
- Format: Primalrily online via weekly expert webinars and Q&A sessions. Features essential in-person events in the Philippines at the first and final sessions.
- Online summaries/participation options will be available for startups unable to attend the in-person events
Key Dates for Applicants
- Application Deadline: 30 April 2025
- Admission Notifications: 5 May 2025
- Program Start: 13 May 2025, In-Person Opening Event, De La Salle University-Dasmariñas
- Program End: Week of 1 July 2025, In-Person Closing Event Philippines (tbd)
Agenda
Date / Time |
Venue |
Activity |
| 13 May 2025, afternoon (PHT, UTC+8) | Dasmariñas De La Salle University / online |
Program Launch & Networking (in De La Salle University Dasmariñas) – Includes startup pitches & drinks. Selected blue economy startups have the opportunity to pitch their solutions in front of investors, corporates, partners, mentors and educators. |
| 20 May 2025, afternoon (PHT, UTC+8) | online |
Expertise sharing on the Philippines’ current state of the blue economy sub-sectors (offshore transportation; blue foods; energy; coastal protection: plastic alternatives) and the Philippines’ climate and economic goals. |
| 27 May 2025, afternoon (PHT, UTC+8) | online |
Expertise sharing on the Philippines’ innovation and early-stage investment landscape, covering VC investors, Family Offices, corporates, the dynamism of the local startup ecosystem, incubators, experienced Philippines-based exit partners for startups, partners for sandbox and grants. |
| 03 June 2025, afternoon (PHT, UTC+8) | online |
Expertise sharing on the Philippines’ team management & recruitment, marketing & sales, branding & communication, legal, IP. |
| 10 June 2025, afternoon (PHT, UTC+8) | online |
Expertise sharing on impact measurement for blue economy startups, including unpacking impact frameworks and development of targets. |
| 17 June 2025, afternoon (PHT, UTC+8) | online |
Session on fine-tuning your pitch. |
| 24 June 2025, afternoon (PHT, UTC+8) | online |
Expertise sharing on investment readiness |
| 01 July 2025, afternoon (PHT, UTC+8) | oline + in person |
Final get-together. Includes final pitches, company visits, and introductions to key stakeholders. Certifications will be delivered to the startups that have completed the program. |
How to Apply & Contact
Application Process
- Visit our Application Portal.
- Complete the online application, sharing details about your startup, team, and interest in the Philippine market.
- Submit your application by the deadline: 05 May 2025.
- All applications will be reviewed promptly, and decision letters will be sent out shortly after the deadline.
Organizing Partners & Supporters
