StartBlue of San Diego, California, has been chosen to receive a phase two award of $13.5 million through NOAA’s Ocean Enterprise Initiative (OEI) to expand support for ocean startups and become the StartBlue Ocean Enterprise Accelerator. 

OEI has supported 22 ocean-focused startups so far, 50 percent of which are female-founded. These startups 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 to foster sustainable business models aimed toward ocean resilience.

StartBlue will continue to build upon the success of OEI’s 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.

Learn more here.