BLUE VENTURES 2025 Application
Applications are now open! Priority Deadline: January 6, 2025
Application Instructions
Founders interested in the Seattle or Tacoma Incubators and the Innovation Accelerator should apply through the link above.
About Maritime Blue Ventures
Maritime Blue Ventures is a not-for-profit accelerator and incubator dedicated to fostering innovation and growth for a sustainable blue economy. Our programs support visionary startups driving ocean and maritime technologies, providing founders with the resources, mentorship, and industry access they need to bring transformative technology to market. As part of Washington Maritime Blue—the Pacific Northwest’s leading maritime innovation cluster—our mission is to advance cleaner, healthier oceans by empowering innovators and entrepreneurs.
Apply to Our 2025 Programs
This single application allows founders to apply to any of our 2025 programs: the Maritime Blue Innovation Accelerator, Seattle Maritime Blue Incubator, or Tacoma Maritime Blue Incubator. Each program is designed to provide startups with access to critical resources, mentors, and advisors. Through Maritime Blue Ventures, founders gain entry to our expansive network, which includes decision-makers across industry, public sector, community groups, research institutions, and investors. This connection opens doors to potential customers, partners, and funders, providing the backing needed to scale impactful maritime innovations.
- Maritime Blue Innovation Accelerator: Tailored for venture-scale companies, this program supports startups with a dedicated team and either pre-market or post-market readiness. The Accelerator provides $100K equity investment by a SAFE and focuses on scaling solutions through intensive support, mentorship, and industry access. Participants are expected to drive growth at venture scale and accelerate market traction with the resources and network provided.
- Seattle Maritime Blue Incubator: Designed for entrepreneurs focused on validating their technology and market potential, the Seattle Maritime Incubator supports founders aiming to prove their product works, establish market demand, and prepare for market engagement. This program is ideal for those interested in doing business in Seattle who may not yet seek venture-scale growth or outside investment but need guidance in refining their product, understanding customer needs, and building traction with partners and investors.
- Tacoma Maritime Blue Incubator: This place-based program is tailored for entrepreneurs interested in growing their business within the Tacoma community. Like the Seattle Incubator, it provides support for validating technology, confirming market demand, and preparing for customer engagement. The Tacoma Incubator is designed for founders focused on product-market alignment, obtaining industry feedback, and enhancing market readiness.
Note: If your business is currently seeking venture investment, the Accelerator program may be a better fit. If your primary goals are technology validation, market readiness, and customer engagement, one of the incubator programs might best meet your needs.
You are welcome to apply to any of the three programs, and if Maritime Blue Ventures believes a different program is a better fit, we’ll gladly make that recommendation. Don’t worry too much about picking the “right” program—you can apply to more than one!
1000 Ocean Startups and the Ocean Impact Navigator:
Maritime Blue is a proud member of the 1000 Ocean Startups Coalition to leverage the global ecosystem of support accelerating innovation for ocean-based climate solutions as outlined by the United Nations Ocean Decade Agenda. We utilize the Ocean Impact Navigator as a shared system of metrics for investors and support startups’ theory of change. We ask startups to identify which areas of the OIN they intend to measure their impact and then work with you to build that into your growth plans. You can find more information here.
Questions? Contact us at Ventures@maritimeblue.org