Nice Business Ocean Forum: Business France connects Blue Economy stakeholders

This event, bringing together some sixty governments and numerous civil society stakeholders, highlights crucial water-related issues, such as rising temperatures, overfishing, ocean acidification and the potential for marine energy.

A forum for the Blue Economy

From June 9-11, 2025, Business France is co-organizing the Nice Business Ocean Forum (NOBF), accredited “Choose France,” alongside the Nice Metropolitan Area, Team Nice Côte d’Azur, the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, Rising Sud and the Pôle Mer Méditerranée maritime cluster.

This event, attended by Mr. Laurent Saint-Martin, Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and French Nationals Abroad, brings together more than a thousand French and foreign businesses (more than 50 nationalities), researchers and local authorities to strengthen joint investment projects focused on protecting water resources and the potential of the Blue Economy.

During these three days, businesses will showcase their innovative solutions for protecting our oceans. These include:

• INNOV & Sea : In vitro ecotoxicity tests using marine cells to assess the environmental impact of cosmetic products and natural waters.
• Cosma : Seabed observation and mapping services, using drones and artificial intelligence for large-scale environmental studies.
• IADYS : Robots that collect floating waste and hydrocarbons for the decontamination of ports, rivers and industrial sites.
• Inalve : Innovative production of microalgae via biofilm cultivation for sustainable aquaculture nutrition, decontamination and health ingredients.

Business France supports businesses

As part of the “Export Begins in France” initiative, Business France is specifically supporting 40 North American clients, along with French SMEs and mid-size companies, to develop business opportunities around the Blue Economy.

This approach is part of a program to support these businesses during major international events, such as the Blue Economy and Finance Forum in Monaco, the Nice Ocean Business Forum in Nice and Oceans in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Courting investment and economic attractiveness

In terms of attracting foreign investment, Business France is pursuing its policy of courting foreign businesses to attract innovative projects that create value added and jobs. Since 2014, Business France has surveyed and supported 218 foreign investment projects focused on the Blue Economy, ranging from decarbonization of the maritime sector and aquaculture, to the shipbuilding industry and support for marine energy.

The Nice Ocean Business Forum is a unique opportunity for businesses to commit to the protection of oceans and the ecological transition. Thanks to Business France’s support, these businesses can develop profitable business opportunities and attract innovative investments, thereby contributing to economic growth and the preservation of our planet.