Introduction
Researchers look into the SOARS instrument at the Hydraulics Lab at Scripps Oceanography.
The StartBlue Ocean Enterprise Accelerator is an intensive immersive four month 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.
Key Dates
Deadline: July 31, 2025
Information session: June 26, 12-1 pm PT via Zoom (registration link)
Programming
San Diego in person: Sept. 22-26, Nov 17-21 TMA Blue Tech Week
Virtual: Weekly October - December (Tuesday and/or Thursday evenings)
Showcase Demo Day: Nov. 20 at Scripps Institution of Oceanography during TMA Blue Tech Week
Eligibility
StartBlue welcomes innovative, impact-driven ocean/fresh water technology startups that are ready to accelerate their commercialization journey. Eligible startups join one of two tracks, Launch for early stage and Scale for later stage, based on their overall stage of business, commercial, and technology development.
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be a U.S.-based business or a U.S. subsidiary incorporated in the US.
- Have an ocean data or observation technology, product, or service that supports the goals of the NOAA Ocean Enterprise Initiative* to drive economic growth, security, stewardship, and resource management needs of the United States and the growing Blue Economy.
- Demonstrate the potential for commercial success
- Commit to participating in programming September - December ( virtual + in-person programming in San Diego, CA week of Sept. 22 and Nov. 17 with Demo Day Nov. 20).
(*Startups outside the scope of the Ocean Enterprise are welcome to apply and join the program but may not be eligible to receive non-dilutive awards from NOAA.)
Tracks
Launch (Early-Stage)
The Launch program is designed to support early-stage startups with technology readiness level (TRL) 0–3 and include:
- Ocean entrepreneurship training 6 classes on topics including customer discovery, business model canvas, pitch preparation
- Mentorship with industry and ocean experts
- Facilitated access to select technical facilities and experts to build, test, and refine prototypes
- Workshops on fundraising, IP, SBIR applications
- Connections with regional San Diego, national, and global Blue Economy investment, industry, government, and research partners to launch their startup
- Featured participation in TMA Blue Tech Week and Showcase Demo Day November 20 at Scripps Institution of Oceanography
- One year membership in TMA Blue Tech industry cluster
Launch startups can apply for up to $10k in non-dilutive funding upon completing the program based on eligibility and a competitive merit review process. Program participation does not guarantee funding.
Scale (Mid-Stage)
The Scale program is designed to support mid-stage startups with technology readiness level (TRL) 3 + and include:
- Training to advance their TRL, scale operations, and business development
- Mentorship with industry and ocean experts
- Facilitated access to select technical facilities and experts to build, test, and refine prototypes
- Connections with regional San Diego, national, and global Blue Economy investment, industry, government and research partners to scale their growth
- Featured participation in TMA Blue Tech Week and Showcase Demo Day November 20 at Scripps Institution of Oceanography
- One year membership in TMA Blue Tech industry cluster
Scale startups can apply for up to $200k in non-dilutive funding upon completing the program based on eligibility and a competitive merit review process. Program participation does not guarantee funding.