Master's in Maritime Innovation and Startups
This master's prepares you to lead the transformation of the maritime sector through entrepreneurship and disruptive innovation. You will learn to spot business opportunities, build scalable models and apply emerging technologies in a global market, and you will master the tools for funding startups, managing high-performance teams and selling B2B to shipowners, ports and terminals.
Prior knowledge check
These are the skills this program gives you. Tick the ones you already master and we will tell you which part of the syllabus is for you.
You are starting from scratch in this subject. The program is designed precisely for that.
What is the Master's in Maritime Innovation and Startups?
This master's prepares you to create, fund and scale technology ventures for the maritime industry. You will learn how the MarTech ecosystem and the sustainable blue economy are structured, how lean startup and customer development are applied to B2B maritime clients, how venture client models, pilots and open innovation open doors with shipowners, terminals and shipyards, how artificial intelligence, IoT, blockchain, digital twins and cleantech solve real operational and decarbonisation problems, and how intellectual property, class society certification, venture capital, B2B sales and team leadership turn an idea into a scalable company.
What sets this master's apart: a sector-specific view of entrepreneurship in one of the most traditional and regulated industries; a practical method for validating ideas and running pilots on board and in terminals; in-depth coverage of maritime deep tech and cleantech; a legal module on intellectual property and class society certification for startups; a full map of funding, from pre-seed to corporate venture capital and public R&D programs; and an integrative venture-building project that ends with a pitch at a simulated demo day.
Program highlights
- Maritime entrepreneurship: opportunities in a traditional, highly regulated industry.
- Lean validation: customer interviews, MVPs, pilots and product-market fit.
- Corporate relations: open innovation, the venture client model and PoC agreements.
- Deep tech and cleantech: AI, IoT, digital twins, blockchain and decarbonisation.
- Funding: venture capital, corporate VC, business angels and public R&D programs.
- Venture building: a complete startup project and investor pitch.
Syllabus of the Master's in Maritime Innovation and Startups
11 modules. Select a module to see its content.
The MarTech ecosystem and the digital transformation of the blue economy
- 1.1. Overview of MarTech: global startup map, maritime innovation hubs and emerging verticals
- 1.2. Structural friction in the sector: supply chain inefficiencies, port stays, fuel consumption and paperwork
- 1.3. The sustainable blue economy and SDG 14 in maritime entrepreneurship
- 1.4. Disruptive technologies: generative AI, satellite IoT, automation, blockchain and digital twins
- 1.5. Mapping industry stakeholders as corporate clients
- 1.6. Global corporate accelerators, incubators and open innovation platforms
- 1.7. Technology adoption culture and barriers to entry
- 1.8. Megatrends: decarbonisation, connectivity at sea, maritime cybersecurity and MASS
- 1.9. Aligning value propositions with IMO, the European Commission and flag administrations
- 1.10. Case studies of successful startups in routing, digital marketplaces and cargo traceability
Agile methods, ideation and validation of the maritime business model
- 2.1. Customer development and lean startup in B2B maritime markets
- 2.2. Value proposition design and jobs to be done
- 2.3. Building a MarTech MVP: software, bridge interfaces and onboard hardware
- 2.4. Technical validation, pilots and proofs of concept on board and in terminals
- 2.5. Pricing: SaaS, pay-per-use, transaction fees and gain-share models
- 2.6. Business model canvas for the maritime economy
- 2.7. Unit economics: CAC, LTV and B2B sales cycles
- 2.8. Strategic pivots before cash runs out
- 2.9. Productised services combining naval consulting and scalable platforms
- 2.10. Traction metrics and product-market fit
Open innovation, venture client and corporate relations in the maritime sector
- 3.1. Open innovation in ports and shipping: hackathons, challenges and co-incubation
- 3.2. The venture client model
- 3.3. Managing the B2B maritime sales cycle
- 3.4. Drafting and negotiating PoC agreements
- 3.5. Integrating startups into corporate supply chains: vendor approval, ESG and cybersecurity audits
- 3.6. Co-creation with shipyards and terminals
- 3.7. Regulatory and port sandboxes
- 3.8. Building consortia for maritime R&D projects
- 3.9. Change management on board and in chartering offices
- 3.10. Case studies of strategic alliances and ERP integrations
Maritime deep tech: artificial intelligence, IoT, blockchain and digital twins
- 4.1. AI and machine learning for routing, bunker consumption and predictive engine maintenance
- 4.2. Maritime IoT, onboard sensors and LEO satellite connectivity
- 4.3. Digital twins of ships and ports
- 4.4. Blockchain and DLT in maritime logistics: eBL, smart contracts and customs
- 4.5. Marine robotics and autonomous vehicles: ROVs, AUVs and USVs
- 4.6. Computer vision for maritime safety and security
- 4.7. Cybersecurity of MarTech architectures and onboard OT systems
- 4.8. Big data and prescriptive analytics in freight markets
- 4.9. Marine-grade hardware: IP68 and ATEX ratings and environmental testing
- 4.10. Cloud and edge computing at sea with limited bandwidth
Maritime cleantech, decarbonisation and new propulsion technologies
- 5.1. The decarbonisation challenge: IMO targets, EU ETS, FuelEU Maritime, CII and EEXI
- 5.2. Startups in alternative fuels and onboard carbon capture
- 5.3. Wind-assisted propulsion: rigid sails, Flettner rotors and kites
- 5.4. Electrification of ports and ships: shore power and marine batteries
- 5.5. Hull efficiency: air lubrication, advanced coatings and hull-cleaning robotics
- 5.6. Carbon allowance management and real-time emissions tracking
- 5.7. Just-in-time arrival and speed optimization
- 5.8. Circularity and ship recycling: the Inventory of Hazardous Materials
- 5.9. Pollution control technologies for ballast water, scrubbers and waste
- 5.10. Green finance models for maritime cleantech
Legal framework, intellectual property and naval certification for startups
- 6.1. Legal structuring of tech startups: shareholder agreements, share classes, stock options and vesting
- 6.2. Intellectual property in the maritime industry: patents, designs and trade secrets
- 6.3. Software and data protection: B2B licenses, ownership of onboard data and AIS data governance
- 6.4. Approval and certification by class societies: DNV, ABS, Lloyd's Register and Bureau Veritas
- 6.5. Technology contracts: SLAs, SaaS licenses and liability for software failures
- 6.6. Compliance with SOLAS, MARPOL, STCW and MLC
- 6.7. AI governance and ethics in autonomous systems
- 6.8. International trade mark strategy
- 6.9. Trade regulations and sanctions: dual-use exports and restricted lists
- 6.10. Dispute resolution: LMAA arbitration and commercial courts
Funding maritime startups: venture capital, corporate VC and public support
- 7.1. The funding map from pre-seed and seed to Series A and B
- 7.2. Venture capital specializing in the blue economy, climate tech and logistics
- 7.3. Corporate venture capital from shipping lines, terminal operators and logistics groups
- 7.4. Preparing for due diligence and building the data room
- 7.5. Early-stage valuation methods: scorecard, Berkus and adapted DCF
- 7.6. Negotiating the term sheet: anti-dilution, drag-along, tag-along and board seats
- 7.7. Public R&D funding: Horizon Europe, EU innovation funds and national programs
- 7.8. Venture debt, convertible loans and revenue-based financing
- 7.9. Business angels and shipowning family offices
- 7.10. Exit strategies: acquisitions, mergers and listings
B2B sales strategy, industrial marketing and international scaling
- 8.1. Go-to-market in the maritime industry: shipowners, ship managers and cargo owners
- 8.2. Structuring a hybrid B2B sales team
- 8.3. Inbound marketing, thought leadership, whitepapers and trade fairs
- 8.4. Account-based marketing for major fleet operators
- 8.5. Converting pilots into paid annual contracts
- 8.6. Customer success at sea: 24/7 support, crew training and adoption monitoring
- 8.7. Rapid international expansion through key maritime hubs
- 8.8. Distribution channels and reseller alliances with system integrators
- 8.9. Communication and public relations in the trade press
- 8.10. Renewals, up-selling and cross-selling
Leadership, talent management and operations in MarTech startups
- 9.1. Organizational design and culture in industrial impact startups
- 9.2. Building multidisciplinary teams of developers, data scientists, naval engineers and mariners
- 9.3. Executive leadership under uncertainty with OKRs
- 9.4. Managing remote and international teams
- 9.5. Incentives and variable pay: ESOPs, milestone bonuses and sales commission
- 9.6. Board management and investor reporting
- 9.7. Safety governance in field operations and onboard trials
- 9.8. Operational resilience and crisis management
- 9.9. Diversity, equity and inclusion in a traditional sector
- 9.10. Scaling up while keeping agility and founding values
Integrative project: maritime venture building and MarTech startup pitch
- 10.1. Defining the business opportunity and venture concept
- 10.2. Value proposition and initial validation with industry interviews
- 10.3. Functional prototype or MVP specification
- 10.4. Go-to-market strategy, B2B pricing and pilot roll-out
- 10.5. Three- and five-year financial plan and unit economics
- 10.6. Intellectual property and naval certification roadmap
- 10.7. Fundraising strategy, target investors and use of funds
- 10.8. Data room and investor documentation
- 10.9. Professional investment pitch deck with TAM, SAM and SOM
- 10.10. Presentation and defense at a demo day before an expert panel
Final Project
- 11.1. Choosing the topic and defining the research problem
- 11.2. Objectives, hypotheses and scope
- 11.3. Review of the state of the art and specialist literature
- 11.4. Analysis of the applicable regulatory and technical framework
- 11.5. Methodology and work plan
- 11.6. Data collection, processing and validation
- 11.7. Technical development and analysis of results
- 11.8. Discussion, conclusions and future lines of work
- 11.9. Writing the final report to academic standards
- 11.10. Presentation and defense before the assessment panel
Duration and format of the Master's in Maritime Innovation and Startups
It is 1,500 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.
This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the installment plan.
Academic leadership and faculty
The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programs.
Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Eng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Capt. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Eng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Eng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Eng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration CoordinatorObjectives of the Master's in Maritime Innovation and Startups
Career opportunities after the Master's in Maritime Innovation and Startups
Questions about the Master's in Maritime Innovation and Startups
The maritime sector: shipping, ports and terminals, shipyards, logistics and marine renewables.
Both. You study emerging technologies and also how to design, validate and scale new business models in the maritime sector.
No. The early modules help you identify opportunities, and you develop your idea throughout the program.
Yes. You study the full funding map, valuation methods, term sheets, due diligence and public R&D programs, and you prepare a real pitch deck.
Yes. You learn the approval and certification process with class societies for maritime software and hardware.
In the integrative project you build a complete MarTech startup and pitch it to an expert panel; the Final Project is an individual piece of applied research presented and defended at the end.
Fully online, through a virtual campus available 24/7, with live sessions that are recorded and tutorials with the teaching staff.
The master's comprises 1,500 hours of study across 11 modules of about 136 hours each and ends with the Final Project. You can progress at your own pace within the schedule set when you enroll.
More programs in Innovation and startups
Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.
- Profile: aimed at maritime professionals with an entrepreneurial mindset, naval engineers, economists and lawyers interested in port, logistics and marine renewable startups, managers who want to drive internal innovation, investors and business angels focused on the maritime ecosystem, and science and engineering graduates. A degree in business, engineering, maritime sciences or a related field, or experience in the maritime sector or entrepreneurship, is recommended.
- Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
- Technical resources: a computer with a camera, microphone and stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and videoconferencing software for live sessions and pitch presentations.
- Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
- 01ApplicationYour details, background and documents.
- 02Instant reviewWe check that everything is complete and in order.
- 03EnrollmentChoose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.
Ask us before you enroll
Leave your details and admissions will write to you to answer any questions. If you are already sure, you can apply and pay in the same session.