Press Mentions
A collection of independent mentions, awards, and appearances in local media, institutions, and publications. These references confirm our commitment to sustainability, circular economy, and the valorisation of marine waste into unique handmade products.
Awards & Recognition
Local Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 Award – Chiclana Edition
Source / Date: Chiclana Town Council / CEEI Bahía de Cádiz — January 2026
Veamar received the first prize (€1,000) in the 2025 Local Entrepreneur Awards, organised by CEEI Bahía de Cádiz and Chiclana Town Council. The award recognises entrepreneurial initiatives launched between 2023 and 2024, evaluated on innovation, sustainability, job creation, originality, and future plans.
Veamar stood out for transforming oyster and scallop shells into 100% artisanal sustainable décor, reusing gastronomic waste and expanding into markets across Spain, Europe, and North America. Future plans include automating some cleaning processes and integrating artificial intelligence for sorting, quality control, personalisation, and marketing.
Media Mentions
Veamar Wins Local Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 – Diario de Cádiz
Source / Date: Diario de Cádiz — January 2026
The newspaper Diario de Cádiz published an article highlighting the award of the 2025 Local Entrepreneur of the Year (Chiclana Edition) to Veamar. The project was recognised for its sustainable innovation in turning oyster and scallop shells into artisanal décor items, reusing food waste and promoting the circular economy.
The publication emphasises the first prize awarded to Andray Leonchik and underscores the value of local initiatives that combine creativity, sustainability, and international outreach.
Interview: Young Entrepreneurs and Shell Upcycling – La Voz del Sur
Source / Date: La Voz del Sur — 24 January 2026
In-depth interview with Andray Leonchik, founder of Veamar. It traces the project’s journey: from studies in Civil Engineering and a Master’s in Entrepreneurship at UCA, to settling in Chiclana, drawn by the ocean and the blue economy.
After previous experiences in salt pans (algae cultivation and sustainable aquaculture), Veamar emerged to give new life to restaurant shells: collecting, cleaning, disinfecting, and sanding them to create unique decorative pieces or craft materials. “There’s no high technology — just time, attention, and care”.
Sales are mainly online (veamar.com and Etsy), with the strongest demand in Europe and North America. The project grew thanks to the Blue Core ecosystem (formerly Incubazul). Andray highlights flexibility in the face of uncertainty and plans for international expansion.
Institutional Support
Veamar at Incubazul – Blue Economy
Source / Date: Incubazul (Cádiz Free Trade Zone) — active profile
Veamar is one of the startups supported by Incubazul, the blue-economy innovation incubator driven by the Cádiz Free Trade Zone. Its official profile presents the project as sustainable design that transforms recycled oyster and scallop shells into aesthetic décor for events, homes, and gifts, as well as clean shells ready for artisans, designers, and florists.
The project sits at the intersection of art, sustainability, and marine elegance: it gives natural materials a second life, preserves ocean beauty, and minimises waste. Categories: Lifestyle Products and Sustainable Design.
Veamar at Blue Core – Local Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 Award
Source / Date: Blue Core (Free Trade Zone) — 14 January 2026
Blue Core, the continuation and evolution of the Incubazul programme, highlights Veamar as an incubated project that received the 2025 Local Entrepreneur of the Year Award in Chiclana. The publication emphasises the project’s ecological focus: transforming marine waste into sustainable artisanal décor with reach into national and international markets.
Particular value is placed on sustainability, innovation, and future plans for process automation and AI integration in sorting, quality control, personalisation, and sales.
Support from Ecosalinas Cádiz Bay Natural Park – La Atravesada Salt Pan
Source / Date: Ecosalinas Instagram — January 2025 (project origin context)
Since its beginnings, Veamar has received support from Ecosalinas Parque Natural Bahía de Cádiz, SLU, manager of the La Atravesada salt pan, located in the Cádiz Bay Natural Park. This salt pan provides continuous site access, enabling the development of blue-economy and marine sustainability initiatives.
La Atravesada has become an ideal setting for the birth and growth of ecological and innovative projects that valorise natural resources and minimise waste. This protected and productive environment strengthens Veamar’s commitment to the circular economy and the preservation of the marine ecosystem.
Last updated: January 2026