Blue Economy Startup Accelerator Builds Global Momentum

Washington Maritime Blue announces its third Maritime Blue Innovation Accelerator cohort, an intensive mentor-based four-month program focused on helping maritime industry startups learn how to scale and grow an equitable and sustainable blue economy.

Maritime Blue is an independent, nonprofit organization building the leadership, infrastructure, and global connections to scale the blue economy. This third cohort of impact-driven startups furthers its mission to foster thriving communities and a healthy economy and planet.

This Third Wave of 10 startups will participate in global networking events, mentorship opportunities, and programming to evolve business development initiatives, messaging and communications, legal considerations, investments, financing, and other opportunities for growth. Startups receive access to Washington Maritime Blue industry and ocean leaders alongside a global network of mentors and advisors.  

Startups graduating from the first two cohorts of the Maritime Blue Innovation Accelerator program have gone on to achieve incredible success, including Discovery Health, now employing 200+ people across the region, Silverback Marine, recently awarded a grant with Pure Watercraft to build an all-electric pump out vessel for the Port of Lopez, and two companies that advanced to acquisition. The combined total of capital investment into startups coming through the program is now over $200 million.  

“We are very eager to help drive momentum for this eclectic group of startups, each delivering unique value into our region’s blue economy ecosystem, from kelp to global supply chain solutions,” said Joshua Berger, Founder and CEO of Washington Maritime Blue. “In past cohorts, we have had the opportunity to work with strong technology startups, and we’re excited to bring in more founders from across the United States to our globally recognized accelerator. This is also an incredible opportunity for local companies to grow, secure critical funding, and engage new mentors in the space.”   

The companies joining from around the U.S. and internationally for this year’s accelerator program include:

• Adhere Gear (Portland, OR) - Trackable cargo gear
• Algeon Materials (San Diego, CA) - Plastic alternative materials and packaging from macroalgae
• Blue Dot Kitchen (Bainbridge Island, WA) - Sustainably sourced sea-based snack food
• Carbon Orca (Seattle, WA) - Electric hydrofoil boards
• Duplex M (Anacortes, WA) - Accurate operational profiles for installing batteries on your vessel
• Marine Safety Solutions (Poway, CA) - Fire mitigation material for vessels
• Photon Marine (Portland, OR) - Electric outboard engines for fleet vessels
• Sea Potential (Seattle, WA) - Cultivates a full cycle of Black Indigenous People Of Color representation in maritime
• Steamchain (Beaverton, OR) - Smart contract platform for business-to-business payment processing
• WeavAir (Singapore) - Proactive end-to-end software and hardware solution for air distribution systems

You can learn more about the Maritime Blue Innovation Accelerator here.

Maritime Blue welcomes a diverse group of startup founders, including four female founders and two founding teams led by people of color. In an industry historically led by white males, Maritime Blue is committed to centering equity so that women, people of color and other underrepresented groups can all share in the benefits of investments made into this region. With a strong showing of Pacific Northwest organizations headquartered out of Washington and Oregon, we’re also joined by startups from across California and international representation from Singapore.  

“We became an early supporter of the Maritime Blue Accelerator to better establish our region as a global center of maritime and ocean innovation,” said Dave McFadden, Port of Seattle Economic Development Managing Director. “The strategy is working. We are thrilled to see participating companies bring new energy and solutions to Washington’s maritime industry.”  

We welcome supporters of the startup community and future mentors to tune in to the launch event recording available after February 3, 2022 on YouTube. Viewers will have their first opportunity to meet the founders of the Third Wave, connect with our ecosystem partners, and learn more about our hub and spoke innovation model.  

The accelerator program will conclude with a startup showcase taking place late May 2022. For more information on the Maritime Blue Innovation Accelerator, visit The Washington Maritime Blue website here.