The Lighthouse International Acceleration Program has unveiled the eight startups selected to participate in its inaugural edition during an event held at the Port of Barcelona. The selected companies were chosen for their technological maturity, market potential, and alignment with the programme's key focus areas: digital ports and automation, logistics and maritime mobility, maritime infrastructure and resilience, port and maritime sustainability, ocean and environmental monitoring, and marine biotechnology.
The eight startups were selected from more than 65 applications received from around the world and represent seven countries across three continents: MarinaChain (Singapore), Heyport (Germany), Pharaday (France), Gatein.ai (United States), Methanol Reformer (Spain), Linsol (South Korea), KOAI (South Korea), and Notpla (United Kingdom).
The Lighthouse International Acceleration Program is an initiative led by BlueTechPort, with the support of the Port of Barcelona and the technical expertise of Mind the Bridge. The programme aims to connect international startups with real-world operational environments in the maritime and port sectors, enabling pilot projects, strategic partnerships, and business scaling opportunities.
Launched in April 2026, the programme has been designed to accelerate startups through three parallel workstreams: plenary sessions, business mentoring, and technical mentoring delivered by industry and port partners. Participants will leverage the Port of Barcelona as a real-world testing environment for innovations in maritime technology, port operations, logistics, and the blue economy.
The programme will run from 6 July to 5 November 2026. During this period, participating startups will gain access to pilot projects, investor networks, and a global innovation platform. Key milestones include the Innovation Days, scheduled for 2–3 November, and the final showcase during Smart City Expo World Congress – Tomorrow.Blue Economy, taking place in Barcelona from 3–5 November 2026.
"The maritime sector is undergoing a profound transformation driven by sustainability, digitalisation and innovation. The Lighthouse International Acceleration Program is much more than an acceleration initiative—it is a strategic investment in the future of our port and the blue economy," said Emma Cobos, Director of Innovation and Blue Economy Strategy at the Port of Barcelona.
"The global maritime industry is ready for deep disruption. From emissions compliance and port automation to marine robotics and sustainable packaging, the solutions already exist. The Lighthouse Program serves as the bridge between these innovations and the port ecosystem," said Rubén Hernández, Head of BlueTechPort and Strategic Development at World Trade Center Barcelona.
"BlueTechPort is much more than a hub—it is a living laboratory. By opening the Port of Barcelona to startups from around the world, we are transforming real operational challenges into innovation opportunities. The 2026 cohort demonstrates that the future of maritime innovation is already here," added Carles Anglada, CEO of World Trade Center Barcelona.
"Startups do not need to relocate to scale. They need access to real operating environments, pilot opportunities and strategic partners. Lighthouse provides all three. We are proud to support these eight companies as they turn their vision into real-world impact," concluded Francesca Cavanna, General Manager Europe at Mind the Bridge.
Selected Startups
MarinaChain (Singapore)
An AI-powered platform that automates compliance with maritime emissions regulations, including EU ETS, IMO DCS, CII and FuelEU. Its modular suite—MarinaDocs, ParseAI and MarinaNet—streamlines ESG reporting for shipping fleets.
Heyport (Hamburg, Germany)
A digital port coordination platform that replaces emails, spreadsheets and phone calls with AI-powered real-time workflows. Its solutions are fully aligned with the European eMSWe regulation and integrate seamlessly with port management systems.
Pharaday (Bordeaux, France)
A modular AI platform that centralises data from legacy systems, emails and APIs to automate operational workflows for shipping agents, freight forwarders and intermediaries.
Gatein.ai (Seattle, United States)
An edge AI and computer vision platform providing real-time tracking of containers and trailers within port terminals. The solution reduces manual errors and improves operational visibility.
Methanol Reformer (Barcelona, Spain)
A decentralised hydrogen and electricity generation platform based on methanol reforming technology. Its modular, containerised systems deliver clean off-grid energy for ports, railways and other critical infrastructure.
Linsol (Daejeon, South Korea)
A pioneer in ultrasonic acoustic detection technology for real-time monitoring of gas leaks and electrical faults. Its patented solutions are already deployed in industrial facilities and port environments.
KOAI (Busan, South Korea)
A marine robotics company developing AI-powered autonomous robots capable of detecting, collecting and monitoring floating waste, oil spills and marine pollutants. Its KOBOT system has already been piloted at Port Klang in Malaysia.
Notpla (London, United Kingdom)
A regenerative packaging company producing biodegradable, compostable and water-soluble materials derived from seaweed. Winner of the 2022 Earthshot Prize, the company is currently scaling its seaweed-based cardboard coating across the Benelux region.
About the Lighthouse International Acceleration Program
The Lighthouse International Acceleration Program is designed to accelerate innovative startups developing solutions for the maritime, logistics and blue economy sectors by connecting them with real operational environments, pilot opportunities and strategic partners.
More information is available at the Lighthouse International Acceleration Program website.
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