Blue21

What Blue21 does

Blue21 is a privately held design, engineering, and consultancy firm founded in 2015 in Delft, the Netherlands, specializing in floating urban and maritime projects. The company guides clients from concept through to construction supervision via a structured service stack — Location Scan (starting €7,495), Feasibility Study (starting €15,995), Conceptual Design (starting €19,995), and Project Organization (starting €23,995) — supplemented by engineering and project management contracts. Its technology foundation rests on two proprietary assets: HydroMEC+, an in-house maritime engineering and 3D simulation toolkit developed over five years and described as the world's pioneering design and simulation toolkit for floating urban projects, and INDYMO aquatic drones used for underwater imaging and water quality sampling. The firm operates a small multidisciplinary team of architects, urban designers, water managers, civil engineers, and maritime engineers, and is led by co-founders Karina Czapiewska (CEO), Dr. Rutger de Graaf (CFO), and Bart Roeffen (CTO).

Blue21 generates revenue through project-based, B2B and B2G contracts with municipalities, water boards, national governments, and large construction and real estate developers (e.g., Shimizu Corporation, City of Rotterdam, Waterschap Rivierenland, Busan Metropolitan City, DST Innovations). Its go-to-market is consultative and relationship-driven, leveraging conferences (World Conference on Floating Solutions, Paving the Waves), academic partnerships (TU Delft, MARIN, Deltares), and memberships (Netherlands Water Partnership, Global Center on Adaptation) to source engagements. Deliverables span flagship projects such as the Floating Pavilion Rotterdam (cited in the 2022 IPCC report), Floating Boekhome, Harnaschpolder, the Innozowa floating solar PV installation, the Belize City Floating Boardwalk, and the £1.7 billion Blue Eden project in Swansea, UK. The Blue21 Group ecosystem also includes two spin-offs: Bluelands B.V. (smart floating foundations for affordable housing, winner of the 2025 Franco-Dutch Business Award with OPPY International) and Square Floating City (floating city realization). Revenue is not publicly disclosed; only one funding event is on record (Buxeros Capital, March 2020).

Name

Blue21

Legal name

Blue21 Consulting B.V.

Website

https://blue21.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Blue21 is a Delft-based design, engineering, and consultancy firm founded in 2015 that guides public and private sector clients worldwide through concept, feasibility, design, and engineering of floating urban and maritime projects, using its proprietary HydroMEC+ simulation toolkit and INDYMO aquatic drones.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Floating Urban Development Consultancy

NAICS

Other Support Activities for Water Transportation (48839), Other Support Activities for Water Transportation (488390)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Navigation & Aids-to-Navigation Works (Beacons, Buoys, Markers) (IMAFAJAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Digital Yard Infrastructure & Asset Monitoring (IoT, CMMS, Crane/Dock Monitoring) (IMAJALAM), Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USV) & Autonomous Maritime Surface Platforms (IMABAIAE)

Keywords

• Floating urban development
• Maritime engineering services
• Climate adaptation consulting
• Floating infrastructure design
• Water-based construction

Headquarters

HQ city

Delft

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Consultancy and Professional Services: Blue21 generates revenue through providing expert consultancy services across the floating project development value chain. Services include Location Scans (starting €7,495), Feasibility Studies (starting €15,995), Conceptual Design (starting €19,995), and Project Organization (starting €23,995). Pricing is project-specific based on complexity.
2. Engineering and Design Services: Detailed engineering services including maritime engineering, civil engineering, system integration, construction supervision, and project management. Revenue generated through project-based contracts as clients progress through design and engineering phases.
3. Technology Licensing (Potential): HydroMEC+ simulation toolkit and proprietary methodologies may be licensed to partners and clients. Blue21 also developed spin-off Bluelands B.V. for smart floating foundations, suggesting potential technology licensing revenue streams.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Blue21 provides design, engineering, and consultancy services for floating urban and maritime projects worldwide. The company guides clients through a structured value chain: Location Scan (site assessment), Feasibility Study (technical/financial/market/legal analysis), Conceptual Design, and Project Organization, followed by detailed engineering and construction supervision. It also develops proprietary technology including the HydroMEC+ maritime simulation toolkit and the Indymo aquatic drone platform.

Product overview

Blue21 is a design, engineering and consultancy firm specializing in floating urban and maritime projects. The company offers a phased service portfolio spanning the entire floating project development value chain: Location Scan (site assessment), Feasibility Study (technical/financial/market analysis), Conceptual Design (visualization), and Project Organization (resource structuring). Supporting these services are proprietary tools including HydroMEC+ (maritime simulation toolkit) and Indymo (aquatic drone inspection system). The company has delivered multiple floating infrastructure projects including the Floating Pavilion Rotterdam, Floating Boekhome, Harnaschpolder, and Innozowa floating solar installation. Blue21 also operates subsidiary companies Bluelands (smart floating foundations) and Square Floating City (floating city development), with recent projects including the Belize City Floating Boardwalk and Curaçao coastal protection study.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Location Scan Site assessment service that identifies boundary conditions, environmental characteristics (bathymetry, wave conditions, wind velocities), accessibility, natural hazards, and ecological considerations for floating development projects. Delivers a go/no-go recommendation or identifies the top 2-3 suitable locations.
• Feasibility Study Assessment evaluating technical, financial, market, and/or legal viability of proposed floating projects, providing go/no-go advice and risk mitigation recommendations for clients including governments, developers, and energy companies.
• Conceptual Design Visual concept development service that communicates project vision through sketches, layouts, and schematics outlining structure, dimensions, materials, and technical specifications for floating solutions aimed at developers and municipalities.
• Project Organization Service that structures project resources, identifies stakeholders, assigns roles and responsibilities, and creates frameworks for effective coordination throughout the floating-project lifecycle. Includes contact details, project description, and preliminary timeline/budget.
• HydroMEC+ Proprietary 3D maritime engineering simulation toolkit for evaluating floating urban development in challenging maritime conditions. Used to assess breakwater needs, material requirements, and structural stability for floating projects.
• Indymo Aquatic Drones Unmanned aquatic drones equipped to gather underwater imagery, collect water samples, and gather comprehensive data on water quality and ecology. Provides 3D perspective analysis for water-body assessment in floating project site studies.

Quantifiable outcome

• 70% of Earth's surface is water - providing vast potential space for floating development
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• MARIN (Maritime Research Institute Netherlands)coreTechnology or IntegrationMARIN is a leading international institute for maritime research. Blue21 collaborates with MARIN on floating technology research, including the 'Floating Future' 5-year research program awarded in 2023. MARIN and Blue21 work together on advancing floating city development technology.
• TU DelftcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical University of Delft is a key academic partner. Blue21 team members have backgrounds from TU Delft, and the company delivers guest lectures, supervises student theses, and collaborates on research projects. Home to The Green Village where Blue21 has its floating office.
• Shimizu CorporationflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerJapanese construction giant collaborating with Blue21 since 2018 on floating urban development. Partnership featured in Nikkei Architecture Magazine. Major collaboration through FinEstBay Area Development for GREEN FLOAT project in Finland/Estonia region. High-level delegations exchanged regularly.
• FinEstBay Area Development (FEBAY)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinnish/Estonian company developing the Finestbay Area and greater Helsinki floating city project. Blue21 joined forces with FEBAY and Shimizu Corporation to unlock full potential of floating urban development in the Baltic Sea region. Joint project announced August 2020.
• DeltarescoreTechnology or IntegrationIndependent Dutch research institute for delta technology and water management. Blue21 collaborates with Deltares on floating development research and knowledge sharing within the Dutch water technology ecosystem.
• Rotterdam UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for student collaborations and research projects related to floating urban development.
• Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner collaborating on floating technology research and development.
• Utrecht UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for research collaborations in floating development and environmental studies.
• Dura VermeercoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDutch construction and infrastructure company. Strategic partner for construction and implementation of floating projects.
• BoskaliscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDutch maritime engineering and dredging company. Partner for maritime infrastructure and floating structure installation.
• HakkersminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDutch infrastructure company. Part of INNOZOWA floating solar consortium with Waterschap Rivierland and Blue21.
• Blue Revolution FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit foundation focused on floating city governance and advocacy. Co-founded by Blue21 leadership. Organizes Thinktank of Governance of Floating Cities. Blue21 presents jointly at webinars and conferences with the foundation.
• Space@Sea ConsortiumflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU Horizon 2020 funded research project (2017-2020) involving 17 European partners. Blue21 led Work Package 7 (Living@Sea) on floating islands for human habitation. Developed modular floating island technology and published Floating Island Development and Deployment Roadmap.
• Waterschap RivierenlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDutch water management board. Collaboration on INNOZOWA floating solar PV project (2017-2020), featured on PostNL stamp. Partnership on Innozowa project illustrated in PostNL innovation stamp. Project connects energy transition and water management goals.
• Global Center on Adaptation (GCA)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerInternational climate adaptation organization. Blue21 presented at GCA webinars as Dutch expert on sustainable floating solutions. Global knowledge partner for 1000 Cities Adapt Now program.
• Netherlands Water Partnership (NWP)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganization uniting water expertise with 181 members across 40 countries. Blue21 joined as member to forge partnerships and collaborations to solve global water challenges.
• Society of Floating Solutions Singapore (SFSS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSingapore-based society promoting floating solutions. Co-organizer of World Conference on Floating Solutions. Blue21 participates in annual conferences.
• Bluelands B.V.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBlue21 spin-off company developing smart floating foundations for affordable housing. Bluelands prototype constructed at The Green Village. Won Franco-Dutch Business Award 2025 with partner OPPY International. Open for investment.
• OPPY InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench modular building company. Partner with Bluelands (Blue21 spin-off) on Floating Tiny Office at The Green Village. Won Franco-Dutch Business Award 2025 together. Collaboration on modular floating technologies for climate adaptation.
• The Green VillagecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerInnovation ecosystem at TU Delft campus. Hosts Blue21's floating office extension and Bluelands prototype. Organizes visits for international delegations including US Water & Resilience delegation.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• DeltaSync: Dutch floating urban development specialist co-located with Blue21 at the Floating Pavilion Rotterdam. Operates in the same niche — design and realization of floating cities and buildings — and shares overlapping founder ecosystem (Rutger de Graaf co-founded DeltaSync before Blue21), making it the closest comparable.
• Waterstudio.NL: Pioneering Dutch floating architecture firm led by Koen Olthuis. Directly competes with Blue21 in floating residential and commercial building design, particularly in the Dutch market and international waterfront developments.

Emerging players

• Blue Frontiers: Seasteading company developing sustainable floating islands in French Polynesia. Blue21 designed floating islands in collaboration with Blue Frontiers; both companies target the floating autonomous communities market with a comparable vision.
• BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group): International architecture firm that has designed high-profile floating and amphibious buildings (e.g., floating urban concepts). Comparable as a creative, design-led firm pushing floating architecture into mainstream conversation.
• Ocean Builders: Company developing floating homes and seasteading platforms, primarily in Panama. Competes with Bluelands (Blue21's spin-off) in the affordable floating housing segment.
• The Seasteading Institute: Non-profit advocacy and research organization promoting floating cities. Comparable in vision and ecosystem role, though not a direct commercial competitor; frequently referenced alongside Blue21 in floating-city discourse.

Broad incumbents

• Royal HaskoningDHV: Large Dutch engineering consultancy with deep water, maritime, and coastal infrastructure practices. Competes for the same government and developer clients on large floating/water infrastructure projects while operating across many adjacent domains.
• Arcadis: Global design and engineering consultancy with established water and climate adaptation practices. Provides comparable feasibility, design, and engineering services to public and private clients in coastal and delta regions.
• Witteveen+Bos: Dutch engineering and consultancy firm specializing in water, infrastructure, and environment. Competes for Dutch water-board and municipal floating-infrastructure mandates alongside Blue21 and has overlapping expertise in delta technology.

Others

• Dura Vermeer: Major Dutch construction and infrastructure company, currently a strategic implementation partner of Blue21. Comparable as a potential execution vehicle for floating projects and as a competitor for the construction phase of the same client mandates.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/blue21
• Xx.com/blue21float

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Blue21