In partnership with the Port of Seattle, Washington Maritme Blue operates an incubator program for concept and early-stage maritime-focused startups.

The Port of Seattle commissioned Washington Maritime Blue to create and execute a program focused on helping founders of maritime and ocean related startups by providing access to workspace, mentors, programming, commercial engagements, and more. This 10-month, free program is housed in the Blue Hub, located at Fishermen’s Terminal, helps founders take their concept and early-stage companies to the next level. All participants receive two years of free office space. The incubator also acts as a possible feeder to the marquee Maritime Blue Innovation Accelerator, a fourth-month program investing in venture scale companies.

The Seattle Maritime Blue Incubator has five areas of focus. Of particular note to our Seattle Incubator, the Port of Seattle has specific interest in founders building innovative technologies in the areas of digital infrastructure & transformation, localized clean energy sources, and infrastructure and asset management.

The Seattle Maritime Blue Incubator accepts applications from ideation/concepts to early-stage startups. We will also consider companies that are further along who are interested in a soft landing into the region’s blue economy facilitated through Maritime Blue’s relevant network. All Blue Ventures programming works to ensure that we are providing underserved communities a safe space for ideas to grow, seek out & recruit women, BIPOC, and other underserved startup founders.

Over 10 months, selected startups will receive rent-free collaborative working space at the Blue Hub in Fishermen’s Terminal. In addition to accessing the full-suite of Washington Maritime Blue cluster members, stakeholders, and partners, startups receive unique programming and the opportunity to connect with a global network of maritime and ocean economy mentors. Maritime Blue cluster members include regional, national, and global maritime companies, leading research institutions, government & public agencies, and other community organizations.

The OECD predicts the Global Ocean Economy is expected to double to $3 Trillion by 2030 if we employ sustainable solutions and accelerate innovation that address current climate and ocean health challenges.

The Washington Maritime Blue cluster organization is a strategic alliance formed to accelerate innovation and sustainability, building on one of the most diverse, interdependent, and strong maritime and ocean economies in the U.S. Add Washington’s strengths in technology development, advanced manufacturing, and a culture of best practices, and our region quickly becomes a center of excellence to grow jobs, protect the environment, and support resilience in communities.