Supporting Entrepreneurship and Community in the South Sound

Based at the Center for Urban Waters in the Port of Tacoma, this 10-month, free program includes two years of free office space and helps founders take their concept and early-stage companies to the next level. Our goal is two-fold, to bring maritime & technology jobs to the South Sound region and bring sustainable technology to the region. The incubator also acts as a possible feeder to the marquee Maritime Blue Innovation Accelerator, a four-month program investing in venture scale companies.

The Tacoma Maritime Blue Incubator has five areas of focus. Of particular note to our Tacoma Incubator, founders building innovative technologies that support the digital transformation of the maritime sector are provided facilitated access to test and demonstrate on a private, enterprise ready 5G network. The Tacoma Blue Edge Network is among the world’s first such 5G networks deployed at a port.

The Tacoma Maritime Blue Incubator accepts applications from ideation/concepts to growth-stage startups. We welcome companies that are further along and interested in a soft landing into the region’s blue economy facilitated through Maritime Blue’s extensive 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 Center for Urban Waters in the Port of Tacoma. In addition to accessing the full-suite of Washington Maritime Blue cluster members, stakeholders, & partners, startups receive unique programming and the opportunity to connect with a global network of maritime & ocean economy mentors. Maritime Blue cluster members include regional, national, & global maritime companies, leading research institutions, government & public agencies, and other community organizations.

The 100+ year-old Port of Tacoma drives an annual economic benefit of $3 billion and supports the employment of 42,000 people with an average salary of $112,000. The Tacoma Blue Edge Network (TBEN), which serves the Port of Tacoma and its first five enterprise clients, is the latest example of 5G’s power to revolutionize business operations and transform legacy infrastructure. Participants in the Tacoma Maritime Blue Incubator are granted special access to the 5G network and have valuable opportunities to engage in pilot programs or commercial agreements with port tenants.