New cohort begins in Blue Ocean Enterprise Accelerator program
At the University of California San Diego (UCSD), the Rady School of Management is spearheading the StartBlue Ocean Enterprise Accelerator program, a pioneering initiative aimed at supporting the economic growth, maritime security, coastal resilience, and resource management needs of the U.S. and the Blue Economy.
This year, thirteen teams are participating in the program, each working on unique projects that intersect science, sustainability, and entrepreneurship. Notable alumni startups from previous years include Kai Pono Solutions, Hybrid Reef Solutions, and FjordPhyto, to name a few.
Key partners of StartBlue include the Port of San Diego, Blue Economy Incubator, TMA Blue Tech, CONNECT, Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing System (SCCOOS), California Sea Grant, University of San Diego, San Diego State University, Southern California Energy Innovation Network, Cleantech San Diego, Ocean Visions, 1,000 Ocean Startups, AltaSea, U.S. Coast Guard Blue Tech Center of Expertise, San Diego Small Business Development Centers, and Synchro.
AquaPoro Technologies, Dolphin Labs, Euler Materials, KAHU, Nereus Systems, Ocean Analytical Engineering, Polar Geophysics Lab, Bellamare, Del Mar Oceanographic, Flood Dynamics, LiftLabs, Ocean Motion Technologies, and Reefgen are the teams included in this year's StartBlue program tracks.
Each team is tackling diverse projects such as producing affordable water from the air, harnessing wave energy, creating impact-resistant materials, building a maritime intelligence network, developing autonomous metachronal robotic platforms, enabling real-time environmental sampling, and more.
UC San Diego, home to Scripps Oceanography, is one of the top 15 research universities in the world and is renowned for its culture of exploration and experimentation. Scripps Oceanography operates a fleet of four oceanographic research vessels and is home to Birch Aquarium at Scripps, a public exploration center that welcomes 500,000 visitors each year.
The StartBlue program received its initial funding in 2020 from the Economic Development Administration's "Industry Challenge Award" and local donations from the Scripps Director's Council, Builder's Initiative, and other philanthropic supporters. Last year, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) awarded StartBlue a $13.5 million grant as part of its Ocean Enterprise Initiative.
Eligible startups are categorized into either the Launch or Scale program tracks based on their overall stage of business and technology readiness level. The program aims to help ocean-focused startups launch and scale their science-based data technologies and services.
Corinne Peek-Asa, UC San Diego's Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation, stated that the program is a catalyst for innovation at the intersection of science, sustainability, and entrepreneurship. The StartBlue website provides more information and offers opportunities to connect with the StartBlue team via LinkedIn or email.
Subscribing to the StartBlue newsletter keeps readers updated on the program and this year's cohort. The program is led by the Rady School of Management and an unnamed organization. The StartBlue program has supported 22 ocean-focused startups that have collectively raised $10.1 million during their time in the program.
Scripps Oceanography, the organization leading the StartBlue program, is one of the world's most important centers for global earth science research and education. With its commitment to innovation and sustainability, the StartBlue Ocean Enterprise Accelerator program is poised to make a significant impact on the Blue Economy and beyond.
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