B2E presented its challenges and opportunities for the next five years, highlighting the strong alignment of European, national, and regional agendas with the Blue Bioeconomy, but also the need to focus on the financial sustainability and internationalization of the CoLAB. These projections were made public at the 1st Annual Meeting of Collaborative Laboratories, organized by ANI and FCT, a hybrid event held in Porto and online on October 16th and 17th. The event was dedicated to the progressive evolution of CoLABs and their integration in Portugal and Europe. B2E had the opportunity to share its perspectives and also to (re)establish contacts with organizations and other CoLABs. “These are not simply mandatory events; they are precious opportunities to learn, establish contacts, improve, and obtain invaluable feedback from all mentors and evaluators. And that is why we will always be present at these meetings,” shares Elisabete Matos. The sessions were chaired by Manuel Heitor, Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education.