The U.S. Department of Commerce has released a new round of funding for the Blue Technology Accelerator to help fuel innovation in ocean sensing and ocean data.
NOAA’s ocean-based Climate Resilience Accelerator program invests in organizations that support early to mid-stage blue technology businesses with the goal of bringing new products to market. In keeping with its mission, NOAA focuses on ocean sensing technology, particularly climate-related ocean data.
“The effects of climate change are visible every day in communities across America,” said NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad. “This ocean-based accelerator program brings together government, the private sector, academia, tribes, and stakeholders to innovate new ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes technologies at a pace that supports urgent resiliency needs nationwide. , produce.”
The first tier of awards is smaller but still meaningful for up-and-coming organizations. He was awarded $250,000 in development funding for each of the 16 accelerators, amounting to a total of $3.9 million.
Many of the accelerators are sponsored by familiar names such as Woods Hole, University of California San Diego, Old Dominion, and the University of Hawaii. Some are affiliated with state governments or operate independently as nonprofit organizations. Some are brand new, like Washington Maritime Blue, a Seattle-based technology incubator for marine and fishing startups, while others are well-established.
In Phase 2, awards will be competitively awarded to the five most successful places out of the original 16 applicants. This pool is even larger at $55 million and comes from the Inflation Control Act.
NOAA’s ultimate goal is to “build tools, products, and services that address climate resiliency needs and build a climate-smart nation.” Ocean sensing and prediction technologies typically have applications in commercial maritime and defense markets as well.
“This is a tremendous effort and commitment to the role of early-stage innovation in ocean-based climate solutions,” said Joshua Berger, president and CEO of Maritime Blue. “We are honored to be considered for this transformative opportunity to provide non-dilutive capital to emerging companies that support our programs and partnerships and support NOAA’s goals.”