Applications Now Open for Startups Looking to Join StartBlue Ocean Enterprise Accelerator Program

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Calling all entrepreneurs, researchers and scientists who are looking to make waves in ocean innovation! Applications are now open for UC San Diego’s StartBlue Ocean Enterprise Accelerator, a program that provides support across the growth continuum from early stage to small and medium ocean-based startups across the United States. The deadline to apply for this year’s cohort is July 31, 2025.

This immersive four-month program combines the entrepreneurial expertise, training and leadership of the Rady School of Management with the ocean expertise, technical development resources and innovation of Scripps Institution of Oceanography. StartBlue is designed to launch and scale ocean-based scientific research into actionable and commercially viable solutions.

The program welcomes applications from innovative, impact-driven startups that have a focus on developing an ocean/freshwater technology, product or service that supports the economic growth, maritime security, coastal resilience, and resource management needs of the U.S. and the Blue Economy. Eligible startups will be accepted into one of two tracks: Launch for early-stage startups and Scale for later-stage startups.

The StartBlue program originally launched in 2021, and has since supported startups with innovation and industry growth within San Diego’s Blue Economy. StartBlue’s initial funding in 2020 came from the Economic Development Administration’s “Industry Challenge Award” and a local match donated by members of the Scripps Director’s Council, Builder’s Initiative and other philanthropists. The program’s impact to date includes support for 22 ocean-focused startups, 50% of which are female-founded, that have collectively raised $10.1 million during their time in the program.

In December 2024, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) awarded the StartBlue program with $13.5 million as part of NOAA’s Ocean Enterprise Initiative, a grant opportunity created to develop and implement accelerator programs that support small businesses and entrepreneurs commercializing ocean, coastal and Great Lakes-based observation technologies, products and services addressing ocean resilience needs.

"We are thrilled to see our partners at StartBlue open the application period for their Ocean Enterprise Accelerator," said Zack Baize, Ocean Enterprise Program Manager for NOAA's U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System Office. "This program is a great new pathway to support American small businesses and entrepreneurs to commercialize new technologies, products, and services supporting the U.S. ocean economy."

These funds from NOAA present StartBlue with the opportunity to administer increased support to startups nationwide, and provide access to San Diego regional assets, extensive partner networks, training and mentorship, visibility, access to capital and non-dilutive funding, and more to build upon the Blue Economy. Workforce development, broad community engagement and education principles will continue to be promoted and integrated throughout StartBlue’s design, culture and operations.

“This federal investment has a direct through line to innovation and the success of new ocean-focused start-up businesses,” said Margaret Leinen, Director of Scripps Institution of Oceanography and Vice Chancellor for Marine Sciences at UC San Diego. “The Blue Economy has tremendous potential and it’s fantastic to see NOAA partner with UC San Diego to catalyze new market opportunities and advance ocean technology solutions.”

StartBlue has over 80 coordinated partners and its key partners include: Port of San Diego and Blue Economy Incubator, TMA Blue Tech, CONNECT, Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing System (SCCOOS), California Sea Grant, University of San Diego, San Diego State University, Southern California Energy Innovation Network (SCEIN), Cleantech San Diego, Ocean Visions, 1,000 Ocean Startups, AltaSea, U.S. Coast Guard Blue Tech Center of Expertise, San Diego Small Business Development Centers, and Synchro.

Learn more and apply for the StartBlue Ocean Enterprise Accelerator. There will also be an information session held on June 26 at noon.

You can find StartBlue on LinkedIn. If you have any questions, please contact startblue@ucsd.edu.