The Blue Economy Initiative is leveraging coastal resources and expertise within a Blue Economy Cluster spanning approximately 120 miles across the Gulf Coast. At the heart of the cluster is an emerging Blue Economy Innovation District serving as the nexus for business expansion and a business-friendly environment. Opening in 2021, a blue-tech accelerator program and co-working space will serve as a catalyst for startup activity and a magnet for new enterprise.
Catalyzing Economic Growth on the MS Gulf
Blue Tech Accelerator Program
Launching in early 2021, the Blue Tech Accelerator
The program will provide access to mentoring, program management, seed funding, and critical maritime infrastructure.
THE ACCELERATOR SUPPORTS
• Un-crewed maritime systems prototyping and
waterborne testing in the Gulf of Mexico
• Aquaculture facilities and resources, including finfish, shellfish, live feed, and algae testing, and demonstration through the USM Thad Cochran
Marine Aquaculture Center in Ocean Springs
• Access to potential customers in the region
• Providing access to critical infrastructure, services, and USM’s research and development capabilities
• Co-working space and short-term office space located within the Gulf and Ship Island Building in Gulfport
TARGETED EXPERTISE
In-Water Prototyping Required
• Un-crewed systems and autonomy
• Smart maritime/port
• Seawater sensors and sensor platforms
• Marine renewables hardware
• Marine acoustics
• Underwater communication and mapping
• Clean water/seawater intersection
• Coastal resilience technology
• Seawater-biodegradable polymers and ocean cleanup
• Ocean plastics
Aquaculture Innovation
• Innovation in finfish and shellfish farming
• Alternative feed
• Data analytics
• Algae
• Recirculating systems
• Smart fisheries (e.g., IOT, satellite tracking)
USM Contacts
Shannon Campbell
Director of Trent Lott National Center
601.517.0933
Shannon.Campbell@usm.edu
Brian Cuevas
Director of Office of Technology Development
404.384.5749
Brian.Cuevas@usm.edu
USM Contacts
Pam Moeller
Director of External Relations
228.217.5687
Pamela.Moeller@usm.edu
Kelly Lucas
Interim Associate Vice President of Research
228.990.0338
Kelly.Lucas@usm.edu