Seven leading entrepreneur support organizations from across the United States are joining forces to tackle critical challenges impacting our oceans, coastal communities, and economy including South Florida’s very own Seaworthy Collective.
Seaworthy Collective is a 501c3 nonprofit that supports current, aspiring, and underrepresented entrepreneurs driving innovation for ocean impact (AKA BlueTech). Our mission is to make BlueTech accessible and inclusive; bringing all hands on deck via programs to co-create and grow early-stage startups, build regional capacity, and educate our community. We empower Sea Change Makers – diverse founders leading profitable and planet positive businesses addressing pollution, coastal resilience and adaptation, as well as greenhouse gas reduction and removal. Since 2021, we’ve supported 40 startups and 78 founders (70% from underrepresented backgrounds), who have raised over $10 million since graduating. Based in Miami, our local and global community generates scalable solutions for 71% of the planet (our ocean) to regenerate 100% of the planet.
This unprecedented collaboration, made possible through a $13.9 million award from the NOAA Ocean Enterprise Accelerators program, has resulted in the launch of The Continuum, a groundbreaking partnership model that sets the national standard for BlueTech and blue economy accelerator programs.
The Continuum is a collaborative initiative supported by NOAA’s Ocean Enterprise Accelerators program. It unites seven leading entrepreneur support organizations to fast-track innovative ocean and coastal resilience technologies. By fostering a network of industry leaders, researchers, and startups, The Continuum aims to redefine accelerator programs and set a new benchmark for BlueTech innovation nationwide.
The participating organizations—Braid Theory, Ocean Exchange, St. Pete Innovation District, Seaworthy Collective, Tampa Bay Wave, University of South Florida, and World Ocean Council—will work together to advance scalable, efficient, and interconnected solutions addressing environmental and ocean challenges. This effort prioritizes innovation, sustainability, and economic growth, leveraging Florida’s position as a coastal and ocean resilience hub.
Accelerating Impactful Ocean Solutions
U.S. IOOS Office Director Carl Gouldman
By 2028, The Continuum aims to:
- Drive advancements in renewable energy, pollution control, hazard mitigation, and ecosystem services.
- Fast-track innovative, data-driven solutions for ocean and environmental challenges.
- Provide a continuum of support for hundreds of BlueTech startups, guiding them from concept to commercialization.
“NOAA is proud to support The Continuum as a partner in our mission to harness the innovation and entrepreneurship of the private sector for the Ocean Enterprise,” said U.S. IOOS Office Director Carl Gouldman. “By empowering startups to develop and commercialize groundbreaking products and services, this initiative reflects the critical role of collaboration between industry, government, and academia in pursuing the opportunities presented by the growing blue economy.”
Breaking Barriers to Resilience
The Continuum bridges collaboration between industry leaders, research institutions, and startups. The initiative provides resources, guidance, and commercialization pathways for startups innovating in the data-driven ocean economy. By fostering interdisciplinary partnerships, The Continuum will drive progress in:
- Renewable Energy: Supporting offshore wind and aquaculture development.
- Hazard Mitigation: Enhancing wind and water level predictions to prepare for extreme events.
- Ecosystem Services: Advancing monitoring systems to assess and predict ecosystem changes.
- Pollution Control: Promoting sustainable, data-driven solutions for coastal resilience.
Daniel Kleinman, CEO of Seaworthy Collective
“The Continuum is the culmination of intentional design and collaboration; built around years of feedback and demonstrated needs across the hundreds of entrepreneurs we’ve collectively supported. Our model will more effectively mobilize shared networks, resources, and opportunities to break down the systemic barriers keeping much-needed resilience solutions from getting to market.” adds Daniel Kleinman, CEO of Seaworthy Collective.
National and Regional Impact
While initially piloting in Florida—home to nearly 17 million coastal residents—The Continuum will operate regionally and nationally. By integrating partner nodes in California, the Great Lakes, the Gulf Coast, New Jersey, and the Chesapeake region, this initiative ensures a holistic approach to addressing environmental challenges across diverse geographies.
“Tampa Bay Wave has a strong track record of driving innovation through tech entrepreneurs who turn creative ideas into solutions and business opportunities,” said U.S. Representative Kathy Castor. “I am thrilled that this major federal grant will help coastal communities become more resilient and prepared for escalating environmental impacts. As recent hurricanes demonstrated, communities across the Tampa Bay area must adapt to costly and extreme events.”
A Blueprint for the Blue Economy
Dr. Sylvia Thomas, SVP for Research & Innovation at the USF
By fostering robust ecosystems of innovation and resilience, The Continuum will:
- Connect startups with diverse customers, including energy companies, ports, military bases, shipping lines, fisheries, and consulting firms.
- Cultivate a multi-stakeholder model that guides startups through commercialization pathways.
- Position the U.S. as a global leader in BlueTech innovation and economic growth.
“The Continuum represents a pivotal moment for BlueTech innovation,” said Dr. Sylvia Thomas, Senior Vice President for Research & Innovation at the University of South Florida. “We are proud to contribute our expertise and resources to empower startups developing groundbreaking technologies that will shape a more resilient and sustainable future for our oceans and coastal communities.”
Linda Olson, CEO of Tampa Bay Wave, added, “By leveraging cross-industry expertise from sectors like FinTech and CyberTech, we can address the pressing challenges of resiliency and ocean sustainability with groundbreaking technologies ready to launch in a receptive market.”
To learn more about NOAA Ocean Enterprise Accelerators program, please visit https://ioos.noaa.gov/about/governance-and-management/inflation-reduction-act/accelerators/