Tina Silovic

I’m interested in mentoring through VC4A because it’s a practical way to support African founders building solutions with real societal and market impact especially in the blue economy. I’m also stepping in for a colleague who is currently unable to participate; she leads initiative on ocean prediction in Africa, and I want to help sustain that momentum by contributing hands-on support, networks, and continuity. My interests and focus areas are blue economy innovation, coastal services, and digital ocean/data-enabled products (including EO/Copernicus-based services). Activities in the blue economy and private sector engagement are central to my work: at Mercator Ocean International, I coordinate the Copernicus Marine National Collaboration Programme (NCP) and manage a portfolio designed to stimulate the blue economy and support innovative downstream solutions. I designed and launched six calls for tender and currently oversee 51 marine and coastal projects delivered by 65 organisations, including many SMEs and private-sector actors ensuring projects deliver operational applications for challenges such as plastic drift forecasting and aquaculture management

I want to give back to the startup ecosystem and support entrepreneurs coming up sharing practical guidance on value proposition, partnerships, and pathways to scale. I would also like to build new connections for myself and/or organisation I represent, staying close to emerging companies, new approaches, and opportunities for collaboration across regions.