Southern New England stands at an inflection point. The region’s century-long legacy of undersea dominance, anchored by the Naval War College, NUWC, UWDC, Electric Boat, and a dense constellation of research institutions and maritime innovators has positioned Rhode Island and its neighbors as the nation’s most concentrated and capable hub for naval and dual-use technology.
Polaris Tech Bridge is pleased to release the working draft of the Southern New England Defense and Dual-Use Technology Ecosystem Report, unveiled at the 2026 Blue Innovation Symposium in Newport, Rhode Island. This report describes Rhode Island’s role, potential, opportunities, and vision for Maritime Innovation.