The 2026 program will once again support US-based startups developing ocean data technologies and services, in alignment with the priorities of the NOAA Ocean Enterprise Initiative. This is a result of Seaworthy’s expanded role in its $14 million NOAA partnership, The Continuum, a coordinated network of ocean enterprise accelerators that fast-tracks startups getting to market by making support for BlueTech solutions more scalable, efficient, and interconnected. The Continuum partners include Braid Theory, Ocean Exchange, Seaworthy Collective, St. Pete Innovation District, Tampa Bay Wave, World Ocean Council, and the University of South Florida.
“Our partnership with Seaworthy Collective and their Continuum network is successfully accelerating innovation within the ocean economy. The ventures being supported by this program are demonstrating real progress and embody the next wave of ocean entrepreneurs. We look forward to their continued success,” said Zack Baize, Program Manager of NOAA’s Ocean Enterprise Initiative.
“Last year’s revamped Ocean Enterprise Studio and Incubator program raised the bar for Seaworthy by providing founders access to the most people, resources, and opportunities we have ever had in just 3 months, along with offering critical connections across NOAA and our Continuum partners. The latest iteration of our program will be a catalyst for both early-stage and aspiring BlueTech founders looking for clear pathways to navigating the blue economy with intentionally designed programming, follow-on opportunities, and access to capital,” said Daniel Kleinman, Founder & CEO of Seaworthy Collective.
Ocean Enterprise Studio & Incubator Highlights:
- Supports both current and aspiring entrepreneurs—we support existing early-stage startups as well as aspiring founders looking to co-create a potential idea into a startup
- Focused exclusively on US-based ocean data startups and founders
- Supported by NOAA and its Ocean Enterprise Initiative
- Applications open from December 5th until January 28th
- Selected participants gain access to mentorship, funding opportunities, and community connections across Seaworthy’s extensive network within the BlueTech ecosystem
- Participants gain access to a combined ecosystem of 7 partners in The Continuum, as well as eligibility for potential Technology Development Commercialization awards ($10,000–50,000)
“This upcoming cohort is poised to be our most impactful yet. What sets our Ocean Enterprise Studio and Incubator apart is the intentional design of the curriculum. By aligning directly with the NOAA Ocean Enterprise Initiative, we are giving founders a clear focus and immediate relevance. This program isn’t just mentorship; it’s a structured pipeline that guides promising startups from concept validation to securing capital, ensuring their innovative solutions make a real impact on the Blue Economy,” said Tamara Kahn Zissman, Director of Founder Success at Seaworthy Collective.
Existing startups can apply for the Ocean Enterprise Studio & Incubator by January 28th at: https://www.f6s.com/seaworthy-collective-cohort-7/apply
Aspiring founders can apply by the same deadline at: https://www.f6s.com/aspiring-founder-application-cohort-7/apply
In addition to the launch of the cohort 7 application, Seaworthy has also released its 5 Year Impact Report—the most comprehensive dive into their work supporting emerging and aspiring ocean innovators ever assembled. The complete impact report is available here.
