The Welogsea project is in luck and with it the program where it is carrying out its incubation, Incubazul.
The startup, which is part of the 1st batch of the High Technology Incubator, has recently received two awards. On the one hand, the third prize awarded by the Confederation of Entrepreneurs of the province of Cádiz (CEC) for his business idea and, on the other hand, a mention of Blue Economy in the Atrébt awards from the University of Cádiz.
Welogsea In this way, he has received an award for his work in the development of an app to put all the professionals in the nautical sector in contact with the users of pleasure boats, both in nearby ports and on more distant voyages. From the application we want to offer that guarantee of valued professionals. Welogsea aims to reach an international level. It would start in Cádiz, Andalusia and later, at a national and even international level. As an objective: by the end of the year they intend to start selling.
If you want to enter the new call for Incubazul you can do it here.
María Encarnación Huertas Castro, Marien, attends Incubazul on the occasion of the delivery of its awards.
What does this double recognition mean for you?
The recognition above all for the effort. It is not so much the economic issue, it is more than anything the recognition of work and effort. It gives us strength to work harder and achieve the goal.
We are grateful for the CEC and Atrébt awards, because they value the work done, the effort and they represent a small push on what we are doing, in addition to the opportunity for dissemination that they offer us. We appreciate the support and feel welcome. We like our project and they reward us for it.
What is your role within the company?
Fui la que creó la idea, y me encargo de la parte comercial y el marketing. Hay dos personas más, Manuel Eugenio Huertas Castro, que lleva la dirección de gestión.
What does your value proposition consist of?
To make known to all users of recreational boats or of any kind, professionals dedicated to repairs of all kinds in the nautical sector, carpentry, upholstery, electricity, etc. and to be able to offer the user who needs to contact professionals. These are problems that we observe when working on a boat, something constant and daily, because every day there are questions about professionals. The idea arose there, we felt it and it grew.
How does your solution contribute to the sustainability of marine resources?
Our initiative was born with the idea of avoiding these pollution problems and at the level of our own safety.
Lack of maintenance can cause spills into the sea and, also, a boat can run out of engine and have the need to call maritime rescue. So we solve those problems.
What aspects differentiate you from your competition?
There are many things that set us apart from the competition. We offer an inventory system, a renewal notice system, engine checks or whatever is needed, so that the owner is clear when he is due. We offer solutions on professionals who are registered, and we follow up on the repair. We also want to offer a club section, where users can have their notices, sign up for club events, where they are allowed to see minutes, documentation and have an inventory section.
How do you think technology helps to enhance your solution?
We want an app that we can carry on the phone, and there the alerts are received, a comfortable system to contact the professional. For convenience and sense of use, we want to make the application on mobile.
Have you come into contact with potential clients?
We have contacted clients, professionals. We are studying proposals to professionals, which we already have well advanced.
In a first stage we are focusing on attracting users, and we have already carried out a survey through different ports, in which they told us about the need to contact and meet professionals. They want us to contact them when we launch the app.
How did you find out about the Incubazul acceleration program?
I found out about Incubazul thanks to a colleague from the port with whom I started to talk about an idea, and I got into a training session they did, in which I started to develop my idea: We started to make a business plan, the project was presented and then calls were opened to enter the accelerator. My brother and I presented the project and we were selected.
How is your experience in the accelerator?
We presented it and they took us. It has been a huge help, because they have given us all kinds of mentorships. Before, the project was bare and they have helped us to shape it, giving the initiative a new twist. Now it has form, it makes sense, and we want to take it to something more physical, material and real. They have helped us in everything, and they have opened a huge door for us, it has been a brutal help. We have a huge thank you and that is why the project is so advanced.
What areas of mentoring do you think can bring you more value?
We have had all kinds of mentoring, we need marketing. We have started with the financial plan, legal issues, aid, how to approach the application, what to do to start working. All the mentors we have had have been essential.
What would you say to other entrepreneurs who want to launch their project based on the blue economy?
To all entrepreneurs I say forward. The incubators give everything for the project, it is a hard road, but you do not feel alone, because you always have someone who fights with you. It is a pillar that helps you. If you want to undertake in the blue sector or in any other, you have to fight for it and not give up at first. You will enjoy the achievements even more. There are many times that you do not achieve them, but when an achievement comes, the satisfaction that the fruit of your effort gives you is hardly comparable. It is a very nice feeling.
This High Technology Incubator Project for the promotion of innovation and technology transfer to microSMEs in the blue economy sector in Andalusia “[BlueEcoIncuba x Logistical]Tech = ZONA BASE – INCUBAZUL 2.0” is 80% financed by the European Regional Development Fund within the Pluriregional Operational Program of Spain FEDER 2014-2020 OP. “A way of making Europe” within axis 3: Improving the Competitiveness of SMEs, Thematic Objective 3 Improving the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises, and investment priority 3 Promotion of entrepreneurship, in particular, facilitating the economic exploitation of new ideas, and promoting the creation of new companies, also through incubators.”
