MassChallenge Seeks Ocean Tech Startups for RI "BlueTech Track"
As someone who spends quite a bit of time both in a lab and on a boat off Narragansett Bay researching undersea technologies, I’m delighted that MITRE is teaming up with MassChallenge to launch their “Bluetech Track.” This is an exciting opportunity for entrepreneurs with technologies that are (or could be) applied to the ocean to work with top maritime experts from a variety of organizations.
MassChallenge is a global network of zero-equity startup accelerators. Their Bluetech Track will run out of MassChallenge’s Rhode Island location from June–October 2020. MassChallenge is seeking ventures with less than $1M in funding and $2M in revenue that have a technical competency in one or more of these areas:
1. Oceanography –Sensors, sensing, modeling, big data, and data analytics
2. Autonomy – Platform autonomy/functionality and position, navigation, and timing (PNT)—both and above and below the ocean surface
3. Connectivity – Connecting and improving communications between devices above and below the surface
4. Sustainability – Power, renewables, coastal resiliency, and aquaculture
Startups accepted into the track will have access to a powerful network of support and resources that include MITRE, National Institute of Undersea Vehicle Technology, PolarisMEP, New England Aquarium, SENEDIA, CommerceRI, Salve Regina University, and the University of Rhode Island
At the culmination of the four-month program, top startups will be awarded shares of a $100K cash prize at the 2020 MassChallenge Awards.
“Launching a program focused on blue tech makes perfect sense,” says Hope Hopkins, managing director of MassChallenge Rhode Island. “The Ocean State has a robust regional ecosystem that includes major players in defense, oceanography, resiliency, material sciences, and more. And the ocean not only has the world’s attention at the moment, but also that of the state’s Governor, Gina Raimondo—evidenced by her proposed $10M bond for a smart bay. Our timing to bring early-stage, high-potential blue tech companies into the region could not be more perfect.”
Is this something that you’re interested and qualified to do? If so, I encourage you to visit masschallenge.org/apply and get started on their application. The deadline to submit is February 26 (Early Bird) and March 9 (Final Deadline).
And maybe I’ll see you in the lab—or cruising along the Rhode Island coast some sunny day.
A bit more background:
MassChallenge is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization of global startup accelerators. Headquartered in the United States with locations in Boston, Israel, Mexico, Rhode Island, Switzerland, and Texas. MassChallenge is committed to strengthening the global innovation ecosystem by supporting high-potential startups across all industries, from anywhere in the world.
MITRE’s mission-driven teams are dedicated to solving problems for a safer world. Through our public-private partnerships and federally funded R&D centers, we work across government and in partnership with industry to tackle challenges to the safety, stability, and well-being of our nation.
VERY cool. Hope all is well and weather holds out
Nick Wise for you?
It’s great to see our friends at MITRE collaborating to involve startups.
NavalX this may interest you.
Very fortunate to have Nicholas Rotker and the MITRE team as partners in this exciting and incredibly important initiative. #Ocean #masschallenge #bluetech #innovationecosystem