Tampa Bay Wave is proud to announce we will be launching a new BlueTech Accelerator in the summer of 2025 in order to help Florida develop a stronger BlueTech ecosystem. This program is made possible because of a new $14 million grant from NOAA, awarded to Tampa Bay Wave and six other partners in a groundbreaking partnership called The Continuum. This partnership is a transformative national initiative funded by the recently awarded NOAA Ocean Enterprise Accelerators grant.

Wave is proud to partner with:
Braid Theory
Ocean Exchange
St. Pete Innovation District
Seaworthy Collective
University of South Florida
World Ocean Council

“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 that are tested and ready to launch in a receptive market,” says Linda Olson, CEO of Tampa Bay Wave.

Our Role in The Continuum

In this partnership, we will leverage our world-class accelerator model and extensive tech community to advance innovative BlueTech solutions. As Florida’s leading tech accelerator with over a decade of experience supporting 550+ startups that have collectively raised more than $1 billion, Tampa Bay Wave is uniquely positioned to help drive The Continuum’s success. Our proven acceleration model, which has successfully launched programs in FinTech, CyberTech, and other sectors, will now be applied to the critical BlueTech space, combining our extensive mentor network, established partnerships, and deep connections to the Florida tech ecosystem.

Our strategic location in a major coastal region provides unique advantages for BlueTech startups. Companies will have access to Tampa Bay’s maritime industry, testing and demonstration opportunities, and collaboration with leading research institutions.

Tampa Bay Wave will launch a specialized BlueTech accelerator program focused on BlueTech innovation. We’ll create pathways for technology commercialization and foster connections between startups and industry leaders, helping position Florida as a leader in blue economy resilience and innovation.

Regional Impact

Florida’s coastal regions, home to nearly 17 million people, provide the perfect testing ground for ocean-based resilience technologies. As recent hurricanes have demonstrated, our communities must become better prepared for and adapt to increasingly extreme weather events. The Continuum will capitalize on Florida’s unique position as a coastal and ocean resilience hub while creating solutions with global impact.

This initiative particularly strengthens Tampa Bay’s position as a hub for coastal and ocean resilience innovation. U.S. Representative Kathy Castor notes, “Tampa Bay Wave has a strong track record of driving innovation through tech entrepreneurs who turn creative ideas into solutions and business opportunities. I am thrilled that this major federal grant will help coastal communities become more resilient and prepared for escalating environmental impacts.”

What This Means for Entrepreneurs

Over the next four years, The Continuum will provide comprehensive support to hundreds of BlueTech startups at every stage of their journey. Entrepreneurs will benefit from:

• Tailored support programs
• Access to diverse customers including energy companies, ports, military bases, and more
• Clear commercialization pathways
• Connection to national and international industry partnerships

Looking Forward

By 2028, this collaborative effort aims to significantly advance the commercialization of BlueTech startups. The Continuum will play a crucial role in connecting these innovative companies with customers and networks, including energy companies, consulting firms, ports, military bases, shipping lines, and fisheries.