Port of San Diego Releases Sixth Edition of its Blue Economy Incubator Highlights

The Port of San Diego has released the sixth edition of its Blue Economy Incubator (BEI) Highlights Report, which features the program’s impact in numbers, a growing list of worldwide partnerships, and local, national and international media coverage, including coverage featuring the launch of one of the newest incubator businesses, HyperKelp.

As a catalyst for the region’s Blue Economy, the Port established its Blue Economy Incubator in 2016 as a launch pad for sustainable shellfish and seaweed aquaculture and Port-related blue technology ventures. In the nine years since the Port launched the Blue Economy Incubator, it remains the only port-led incubator in the world.

“At the Port of San Diego, our Blue Tech Bay isn’t just an innovation hub, it’s a living example of how people, planet, and progress can thrive together,” said Chair Danielle Moore, Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners. “We’re injecting the blue economy with bold ideas and responsible stewardship, shaping a future where innovation uplifts our communities and preserves San Diego Bay for generations to come.”

The report spotlights partnerships with organizations like the Port Innovator’s Network, Centre for Ocean Applied Sustainable Technologies (COAST), and StartBlue Ocean Enterprise Accelerator at Scripps Institute of Oceanography funded by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The program’s impact in numbers includes:

• $5.8 million in research and development funds leveraged by Blue Economy Incubator companies.
• $2.35 million in funding to support the launch of sustainable aquaculture and blue tech pilot projects.
• 132 million impressions from local, national, and global media coverage including Spectrum News 1, NBC 7 San Diego, and more.
• 25 panels and other forms of speaking engagements across the world have prominently featured the BEI and their leadership team helping our program reach an international audience of innovators.
• 20 million juvenile-stage oysters are expected to be produced annually when San Diego Bay Aquaculture’s FLUPSY is fully permitted and operating at full capacity.
• 600 pounds of edible seaweed is produced weekly by Sunken Seaweed.
• 60+ different species, including sessile species, mobile invertebrates, fish, and algae found living on ECOncrete’s bio-enhancing shoreline protection armor units.
  
  Through the end of July, the Board of Port Commissioners has approved 11 agreements with early-stage companies, including one re-investment, to launch innovative pilot projects, six of which have been completed. MarineLabs, a coastal intelligence company specializing in providing real-time climate resilience data, was the latest addition to the BEI. HyperKelp, who was added to the BEI in late 2023, successfully launched three of the five smart buoy platforms that will monitor underwater noise levels and various water quality parameters for the Port’s environmental monitoring initiatives. Additional details about this and other active pilot projects are included in the report.
  
  Throughout the program, the Port has received multiple awards recognizing its unique approach to Port-based blue economy innovation through pilot project facilitation and has been recognized by state and federal agencies, industry, and academia for providing pathways for the sustainable development of aquaculture and blue technology in the region. Most recently, the Port and ECOncrete were honored by the National Association of Environmental Professionals (NAEP) with an Environmental Excellence Award, and ecoSpears was listed in the Top 250 Green Tech Companies in 2024 by TIME Magazine.
  
  Learn more about the Port of San Diego’s Blue Economy Incubator and read the full report at portofsandiego.org/blueeconomy.