Meet the 2022 Blue Tech Sprint Cohort

26 startups with technical solutions relevant to the maritime industry have been selected to participate.

Providence, RI, October 18, 2022 – 401 Tech Bridge, in cooperation with MassChallenge, announced the 2022 Blue Tech Sprint Cohort. This initiative combines MassChallenge’s highly specialized accelerator program with 401 Tech Bridge’s network and expertise to support new and growing businesses in the blue technology sector. Learn more about the selected startups here. 

High-impact entrepreneurs who are working to provide solutions in the blue tech/maritime industry were encouraged to apply during the September application cycle. The applicant pool saw a wide representation of solutions that included autonomous and unmanned systems, sensors, AI solutions for aquaculture and agritech, as well as AI for training, data analytics for climate measurement, communications technologies, and much more.

The six-week sprint program will be broken into three distinct modules designed to offer a wide range of industry perspectives, customer acquisition, and an understanding of the funding landscape.
Module One, Experts in Blue Tech will discuss the sector and why high-impact startups are critical to pushing innovation forward.
Module Two will focus on Blue Tech Opportunities, as we hear from successful founders and leaders in government who are successfully navigating the blue frontiers.
Module Three, Funding Blue, is when founders will immerse themselves in discussions with blue investors and DOD and SBIR experts to better understand both equity financing and non-dilutive funding options for their solutions.

“401 Tech Bridge is excited to partner again with MassChallenge to support the 26 selected businesses as they move through the 2022 Blue Tech Sprint accelerator,” said Linda Larsen, Programs & Partnerships Manager at 401 Tech Bridge. “Innovation in undersea technology is an area of strength in the region, and key to our future economic growth. Together, 401 Tech Bridge along with the Northeast Tech Bridge will assist companies with exploring possible defense applications for their technology and provide them exposure to subject matter experts in the field. This program will help advance technologies that may assist in solving some of the most pressing issues facing the Navy, and the health of our oceans.”

“MassChallenge’s mission is to equip bold entrepreneurs to disrupt the status quo and create meaningful change. The BlueTech Sprint program enables us to leverage the expertise, industry networks, and resources in the maritime economy to facilitate growth in the blue tech sector,” said Hope Hopkins, Head of Acceleration at MassChallenge. “Our continued work in this space alongside our partners not only accelerates startups but builds bridges between founders and innovators to help grow the blue economy.”

401 Tech Bridge partners with MassChallenge, BAE Systems, MITRE BlueTech Lab, and Raytheon Technologies to connect maritime leaders with startups that have the tools and ideas to leverage ocean technology and provide solutions to the maritime industry.

About 401 Tech Bridge
401 Tech Bridge supports economic growth in Rhode Island and the region, mentoring companies and connecting them to resources to bridge gaps in their research & development process, and to commercial, defense, and government applications for their technology.

401 Tech Bridge partners with the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport and the Naval X Northeast Tech Bridge in their mission to accelerate innovation to the fleet, providing tech scouting, prize challenge management, and outreach to connect leading-edge technology into the innovation cycle. 401 Tech Bridge is recognized as an Innovation Campus in the state of Rhode Island and receives grant support from NIST MEP, the US EDA, the EDA SPRINT Challenge, the Office of Naval Research, the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, the van Beuren Charitable Foundation, and the Rhode Island Foundation. Learn more about 401 Tech Bridge at 401techbridge.org.

About MassChallenge
MassChallenge is the global network for innovators. Headquartered in the United States with eight locations worldwide, MassChallenge equips bold entrepreneurs to disrupt the status quo and to create meaningful change. Since launching in 2009, more than 3,000 startups have participated in a MassChallenge program and non-profit has awarded over $17M in equity-free cash and prizes. Learn more about MassChallenge at masschallenge.org.