NOAA’s significant investment will support the expansion of StartBlue to provide a coordinated continuum of support to launch and scale ocean-based startups from across the nation, offering the San Diego regional assets and critical catalyst funding. It will also provide non-dilutive funding awards directly to eligible startups to invest in their technology and commercialization development.
The program’s impact to date includes supporting a total of 22 ocean-focused startups, 50% of which are female-founded, that have collectively raised $10.1 million during their time in the program. As the only university-led program funding awardee, StartBlue will implement the design and approach of its accelerator program to foster sustainable business models that are aimed toward ocean resilience.
StartBlue will continue to build upon the success of the program’s previous work by providing startups with entrepreneurship training curriculum, technical support, industry mentors, fundraising, and extensive network connections. Startups will be provided with visibility and accessibility to the San Diego blue economy through various site visits, conferences, and workshops.
Read more about NOAA’s funding here: https://oceannews.com/news/milestones/biden-harris-administration-identifies-four-business-accelerators-to-boost-the-blue-economy-and-spur-new-technology-development/
Stay tuned for announcements and events in early 2025, when StartBlue will be opening applications for Cohort 4.
