“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.” (Nicholas Rotker, MITRE Department Head)
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.”