PROJECTS & TRACK RECORD
Strategies that turn ambitions into high-impact projects.
Discover a selection of projects delivered for international organizations, public institutions, innovative companies, universities and startups, spanning strategy and market development, collaborative projects and ecosystem building.
Trusted by:
For more than ten years, I have supported public and private organizations in driving innovation, development, international cooperation and knowledge sharing.
PROJECTS THAT CREATE IMPACT
Turning ambitions into concrete strategies.
Behind every collaboration lies a challenge to address: developing an innovation, entering new markets, structuring an ecosystem, supporting public policies or strengthening international cooperation.
Through a strategic, pragmatic and collaborative approach, I help my clients turn their ambitions into concrete projects that deliver economic, environmental and societal impact.
Defining the development strategy for a future European innovation ecosystem dedicated to water and the ocean.
Client: STOA – Panel for the Future of Science and Technology (European Parliament)Project carried out with the European SEA-EU / EOREA network.
Sector: Innovation • Research • European Policy • Blue Economy
The challenge
Assess the opportunity to establish a new Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC) dedicated to water, maritime sectors and the ocean within the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). The objective was to identify the needs of the European ecosystem and develop strategic recommendations to inform future European decisions on innovation, entrepreneurship and research.
My contribution
✓ Mapping key European stakeholders across innovation, research and industry.
✓ Needs assessment of the water, maritime and ocean ecosystems.
✓ Identification of gaps and development opportunities (Gap Analysis).
✓ Contribution to identifying priority areas for a future KIC.
✓ Development of strategic recommendations to strengthen innovation and market uptake.
✓ Contribution to the report submitted to the European Parliament.
Key outcomes
✓ Contribution to a strategic study published by the Panel for the Future of Science and Technology (STOA) of the European Parliament.
✓ Strategic recommendations to inform the creation of a future Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC) dedicated to water, maritime sectors and the ocean.
✓ Analysis of needs, stakeholders and innovation drivers to strengthen European competitiveness in the blue economy.
Expertise applied
Strategic Foresight • Innovation Policy • Ecosystem Analysis • Stakeholder Mapping • Gap Analysis • Needs Assessment • Strategic Recommendations • European Policy
Related publication
Closing the Blue Loops – Responsible and Sustainable Innovation in the Fields of Water and Ocean.
Report published by the Panel for the Future of Science and Technology (STOA) of the European Parliament (July 2024).
Structuring a territorial innovation ecosystem and collaborative projects for the blue economy.
Client: Aix-Marseille Université
Sector: Innovation • Higher Education • Research • Territorial Development
The challenge
Support Aix-Marseille Université in shaping the future Université de la Mer / Cité de la Méditerranée, an initiative designed to bring together academic, institutional, economic, cultural and civil society stakeholders around a shared vision of maritime challenges. The objective was to design an ecosystem fostering transdisciplinarity, the emergence of innovative collaborative projects and stronger synergies between regional stakeholders.
My contribution
✓ Strategic analysis of the region’s maritime sectors, including their history, current dynamics, challenges and development prospects.
✓ Mapping of the maritime ecosystem and identification of academic, institutional, industry, civil society and cultural stakeholders.
✓ Qualitative interviews to identify needs, expectations and opportunities for cooperation.
✓ National and international benchmarking of comparable initiatives.
✓ Design and facilitation of a digital collaborative platform dedicated to maritime issues.
✓ Monitoring of calls for projects and funding opportunities.
✓ Facilitating connections across disciplines and organizations to foster innovative collaborative projects.
✓ Development of governance scenarios and strategic, legal and economic recommendations for structuring the future consortium.
Key outcomes
✓ A strategic vision of the region’s maritime sectors and their development potential.
✓ A stakeholder and synergy map supporting transdisciplinary cooperation.
✓ A collaborative platform designed to stimulate exchanges, strategic intelligence and new project development.
✓ Governance scenarios and a roadmap to support the creation of the Université de la Mer and sustainably structure the regional maritime ecosystem.
Expertise applied
Territorial Strategy • Collaborative Innovation • Transdisciplinarity • Stakeholder Mapping • Ecosystem Facilitation • Strategic Intelligence • Project Development • Governance • Strategic Planning
Accelerating the commercial development of maritime innovations
Client: AQUALABO • W-Sense • Globocean • HydroTwin • KeySeaObs
Sector: Offshore Wind • Port Operations • Environmental Monitoring
The challenge
Support innovative blue economy companies in their commercial development by identifying the most promising markets, key ecosystem stakeholders and growth opportunities to accelerate market access and international expansion.
My contribution
✓ Strategic analysis of target markets.
✓ Market sizing, segmentation and prioritization.
✓ Analysis of market trends, growth drivers and sector outlooks.
✓ Mapping of value chains, stakeholders and decision-makers.
✓ Competitive analysis and identification of differentiating factors.
✓ Development of Go-to-Market strategies.
✓ Identification of qualified prospects and strategic partners.
✓ Organization of B2B meetings with key industry stakeholders.
✓ Strategic recommendations to accelerate commercial development.
Key outcomes
✓ Identification of priority markets and development opportunities.
✓ Definition of tailored Go-to-Market strategies aligned with each company’s objectives.
✓ Development of qualified prospect pipelines and connections with key market stakeholders.
✓ Accelerated commercial development through an approach combining market intelligence and business development.
Expertise applied
Market Intelligence • Market Sizing • Market Prioritization • Go-to-Market Strategy • Business Development • Stakeholder Mapping • B2B Prospecting • International Development
Supporting international organizations in leveraging knowledge and innovation.
Client : Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Secteur : Aquaculture • Sustainable Development • International Cooperation • Innovation
The challenge
Support FAO in identifying and showcasing innovative initiatives contributing to the Blue Transformation of aquaculture. The objective was to highlight inspiring and replicable solutions to accelerate the transition toward more sustainable, inclusive and resilient aquaculture systems worldwide.
My contribution
✓ Identification of innovative initiatives across several countries in the Mediterranean and Black Sea region.
✓ Analysis of success factors, impacts and replication potential.
✓ Interviews with project leaders and key stakeholders.
✓ Synthesis and capitalization of key lessons learned.
✓ Development of success stories to share best practices with Member States and industry stakeholders.
✓ Contribution to knowledge sharing and the dissemination of innovations supporting Blue Transformation.
Key outcomes
✓ Increased visibility of innovative solutions addressing aquaculture sustainability challenges.
✓ Capitalization of best practices with potential for replication in other regions.
✓ Contribution to international knowledge sharing across the FAO network.
✓ Support for the promotion of models fostering more sustainable, inclusive and resilient aquaculture.
Expertise applied
Knowledge Management • Innovation • Knowledge Capitalization • Case Studies • Strategic Communication • Sustainable Aquaculture • Blue Transformation • International Cooperation
Designing and delivering international capacity-building programs to accelerate the digital transition of the blue economy.
Client: BlueDots Project – European program co-funded by the European Union.
Sector: Blue Economy • Innovation • Digital Transition • European Cooperation
The challenge
Support the European BLUEDOTS project in designing an international capacity-building program for SMEs and blue economy stakeholders. The objective was to foster the adoption of digital technologies, promote collaborative innovation and accelerate the sustainable transition of maritime sectors through knowledge sharing, the engagement of international experts and the dissemination of best practices.
My contribution
✓ Identification of strategic challenges and ecosystem needs.
✓ Definition of priority topics for the capacity-building program.
✓ Design of the learning journey and development of session agendas.
✓ Identification, selection and engagement of international experts from academia, institutions and industry.
✓ Coordination of speakers and preparation of sessions.
✓ Facilitation of webinars and discussions among participants.
✓ Contribution as a blue economy expert.
✓ Synthesis and capitalization of key insights from the sessions.
Key outcomes
✓ Design and delivery of a series of three international webinars focused on:
• Digital Transformation for Sustainable Fisheries
• Sustainable Blue Tourism
• Digitalization of Maritime Transportation
✓ Engagement of European experts from complementary disciplines.
✓ Dissemination of best practices and lessons learned among blue economy SMEs.
✓ Contribution to strengthening the capabilities of European stakeholders and fostering a collaborative approach to the digital transition of maritime sectors.
Expertise applied
Capacity Building • Program Design • Knowledge Management • Community Engagement • Expert Mobilization • Facilitation • International Cooperation • Digital Transition • Collaborative Innovation
Supporting innovative startups through European accelerator programs toward investment and international growth.
Clients: Support Programs • BlueInvest • BlueMissionMed • HTS4BS Black Sea Accelerator • MedBAN • ElbeEurocluster
Sector: Innovation • DeepTech • BlueTech • Entrepreneurship • Investment
The challenge
Support innovative blue economy startups through key stages of their development to strengthen their attractiveness to investors, accelerate market access and support international growth. The companies operate across a wide range of sectors, including maritime AI, aquaculture, fisheries, circular economy, maritime transport, maritime safety, marine pollution, marine renewable energy, blue biotechnology, decarbonization and environmental monitoring.
My contribution
✓ Analysis of business models and value propositions.
✓ Definition of strategic positioning and competitive advantages.
✓ Development of Go-to-Market and international growth strategies.
✓ Coaching founders on investor pitching and storytelling.
✓ Development and structuring of pitch decks and investor materials.
✓ Business development support and identification of strategic partners.
✓ Individual mentoring within European acceleration programs.
✓ Preparation of startups for Demo Days, pitch competitions and investor meetings.
Key outcomes
✓ Support for high-potential European startups in defining and implementing their growth strategies.
✓ Increased investor readiness and preparation for fundraising and investor meetings.
✓ Stronger strategic positioning, value propositions and communication materials.
✓ Development of new commercial opportunities and international partnerships.
✓ Contribution to accelerating innovative solutions addressing major blue economy challenges.
Expertise applied
Strategic Mentoring • Business Model • Go-to-Market • Investor Readiness • Pitch Coaching • Business Development • Internationalization • Innovation • Entrepreneurship
Selected startups and innovations supported:
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ELNAV.AI – Artificial intelligence applied to maritime safety.
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HydroTwin – Acoustic monitoring for offshore wind.
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KeySeaObs – Multi-stakeholder collaborative platform for ecosystem-based management of marine protected areas.
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EST AGAR – Seaweed valorization and sustainable production of hydrocolloids (furcellaran).
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Polychaeta – Valorization of marine worms for the circular economy in aquaculture.
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SeaBird – Development of biodegradable fishing nets.
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PolluSub – Solutions for the recovery of underwater marine litter.
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V2O Marine – Collection and valorization of floating marine waste, including sargassum.
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Recycllux – Orchestration and optimization of marine plastic waste recovery chains.
Building European consortia and developing international collaborative projects.
Client: Institut des Sciences de l'Ocean (AMU)
Sector: Research • Innovation • Horizon Europe • Interreg • International Cooperation
The challenge
Support the Institute of Ocean Sciences in developing European collaborative projects in response to Horizon Europe and Interreg calls. The objective was to turn project ideas into competitive proposals, build strong international consortia and strengthen collaboration among academic institutions, public organizations, companies and civil society organizations.
My contribution
✓ Contribution to the strategic positioning of projects.
✓ Development of concept notes and structuring of proposals.
✓ Identification, engagement and coordination of European and international partners.
✓ Contribution to the development of Work Packages, activities, deliverables and expected impacts.
✓ Facilitation of exchanges among partners throughout the proposal development phase.
Key outcomes
✓ Development of European consortia bringing together universities, research organizations, companies, NGOs and international organizations.
✓ Development of collaborative proposals addressing European priorities in the blue economy, ecosystem restoration and marine pollution.
✓ Stronger international partnerships and synergies between research, innovation and on-the-ground stakeholders.
Expertise applied
EU Project Development • Horizon Europe • Interreg • Consortium Building • Concept Note • Work Package Design • Partnership Development • Innovation Management • Knowledge Valorization • International Cooperation
Key blue economy challenges I work on.
From strategy to innovation, I support organizations developing and deploying solutions to address the major challenges facing the blue economy.
My expertise draws on a transdisciplinary approach combining strategic thinking, innovation, international cooperation and partnership development.
Sustainable Aquaculture & Fisheries
Marine Renewable Energy
Ocean Observation, Data & Digital Twin of The Ocean
Blue Biotechnology
Future Ships & Maritime Decarbonization
Marine Ecosystem Protection & Restoration
Maritime Digitalization & Artificial Intelligence
Future Ports & Port Infrastructure
Maritime Safety & Security
Coastal Resilience & Climate Adaptation
Sustainable Blue Tourism
Circular Economy & Marine Litter
What they say about working with me.
Whether working with international organizations, innovative companies, universities or startups, every collaboration is built on the same belief: the best results come from trust, attentive listening and shared commitment.
"What I particularly appreciated was the combination of sector expertise and facilitation skills.
Marilou brings a strategic mindset while remaining highly pragmatic and action focused.
She can guide processes, keep the team aligned, and adapt quickly to different contexts and constraints.
Her contribution was a key factor in the success of our capacity building programme."
Francisco Martinez, BlueDots project manager
What if we built your next project together?
Every organization faces unique challenges.
Whether you are looking to develop an innovation, build a partnership, strengthen your strategy or launch a collaborative project, I support you at every stage to turn your ambitions into concrete action and create lasting impact.