StartBlue Ocean Enterprise Accelerator
Building on the success of the StartBlue program at Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Rady School of Management, UC San Diego, this enhanced accelerator is designed to launch and scale the latest ocean-based scientific research into actionable, and commercially viable solutions to support maritime security, coastal resilience, and economic growth.
The StartBlue Ocean Enterprise Accelerator is an intensive immersive fall program designed to help ocean intelligence startups launch and scale to support the Ocean Enterprise and grow the Blue Economy. This program housed at UC San Diego combines the entrepreneurial expertise, training, and leadership of the Rady School of Management (ranked #2 in Entrepreneurship by Bloomberg Businessweek Best B-Schools) and the world class ocean expertise, technical development resources, and innovation network of Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
This ocean intelligence innovation engine is designed to coordinate the San Diego regional assets, extensive partner network, and support for ocean-focused start-ups across the growth continuum from early-stage startups to small and medium businesses. Offered at no cost and no equity to startups, StartBlue startups receive training and mentorship, network connections, visibility, access to capital and non-dilutive funding, and state-of-the-art ocean-focused technology development facilities required for their unique needs.
StartBlue supports innovators with emerging ocean-related technologies and services that could catalyze impact across an array of sectors: ocean data collection and analytics, coastal resilience, maritime security, infrastructure resilience, aquaculture, shipping, ecosystem services, water quality, environmental monitoring and forecasting, hazard mitigation, biotechnology, and more.
The StartBlue Ocean Enterprise Accelerator is a recipient of the Department of Commerce NOAA Ocean Enterprise Initiative Phase 2 award, which supports building the blue economy with ocean observing technologies, tools, and information services.
STARTBLUE SUPPORTERS
STARTBLUE NETWORK
THE STARTBLUE METHOD
Training
Mentors
Each StartBlue team is matched with a team of industry and technical mentors to facilitate introductions and provide guidance unique to your goals, with access to a broader community of advisors through the StartBlue Network.
Fundraising
Entrepreneurs will receive opportunities to participate in pitch competitions for cash prizes and introductions to relevant angel investors, impact funds, and VCs. Eligible startups with solutions supporting the NOAA Ocean Enterprise Initiative can apply to receive non-dilutive funding awards for Technology & Commercialization Development up to $200k.
Program Highlights
- Tailored Tracks for Startups: Whether you are an early stage startup working on your Minimum Viable Product or a mid-stage enterprise looking to scale, our program offers specialized tracks to meet your developmental needs.
- Global Impact: The technologies developed by our cohorts are not just viable locally but scalable globally, designed to address some of the most critical challenges facing our oceans today.
- Continued Community Support: Startups will continue to have post-cohort ecosystem support from the program and receive one year membership to TMA Blue Tech, a leading U.S. BlueTech cluster driving innovation in maritime security, blue technology, and ocean resilience.
Join Us
Are you ready to dive deep into ocean innovation? Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a researcher, or an investor, there’s a place for you in StartBlue. Explore our site to learn how you can contribute to a resilient and sustainable ocean future.
Please contact us at startblue@ucsd.edu.