Local Partnership Fuels Global AI Innovation
Tidings | Aug 23, 2024
Our inaugural Blue w(AI)ve Accelerator program, a 16-week program focused on early-stage companies leveraging artificial intelligence in ocean-based solutions, just wrapped up. Read on for highlights.
Our inaugural Blue w(AI)ve Accelerator concluded earlier this summer, marking a significant step forward in leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) for ocean-based solutions. Over 16 weeks, this program — born from a collaboration between the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, Northeastern University’s Roux Institute, and the Institute for Experiential AI — brought together seven startups from across the globe. These companies are at the forefront of using AI to address critical challenges in ocean exploration, conservation, and resource management. As a local initiative based in Maine, the Blue w(AI)ve Accelerator exemplifies how regional efforts can have a global impact, fueling progress in sectors such as marine mammal conservation, sustainable aquaculture, data management, and renewable energy — ensuring that AI’s benefits are applied to some of the most pressing environmental and economic issues of our time.
The Power of Partnership
The Blue w(AI)ve Accelerator, developed by the Gulf of Maine Research Institute’s Ventures team, was designed to support ocean-related startups by providing customized support from a cross-disciplinary team of scientists, AI experts, and investors. This support, offered through GMRI and the program’s core partners, provided the critical resources, industry knowledge, and networks needed to advance AI-driven solutions for sustainable ocean practices.
"The partnership between GMRI and Northeastern’s Roux Institute is ripe for ocean innovation. GMRI is an expert on oceans and climate, and the Roux Institute has an extraordinary capacity for data science, computer science, and experiential AI.
Blaine Grimes Chief Ventures Officer, GMRI
GMRI connected companies with scientists-in-residence and investors-in-residence who provided deep industry knowledge along with access to blue economy research, expertise, and networks. In addition to the scientist and investor mentors, each company was paired with a team at Northeastern’s AI Solutions Hub, led by James Shanahan, and received consulting services valued at $25,000 to help develop their AI solutions.
"For ocean-based startups, AI isn't just a tool; it's a catalyst for unlocking novel solutions and leveraging the incredibly large amount of data available by monitoring our waters.
Chris Wolfel Associate Vice President and Head of Entrepreneurship and Venture Creation, Roux Institute
Local to Global Impact
As the Gulf of Maine continues to warm faster than most bodies of water on the planet, this region represents the frontline of those seeking to develop ocean-based climate solutions — making Maine accelerators ideal to be the testing ground for innovative solutions to global ocean challenges. The unique regional set-up allowed companies participating in this accelerator to take advantage of Maine's distinctive marine assets, entrepreneurial support network, and institutional expertise. The innovations developed by these startups have the potential not only to support the resilience of the Gulf of Maine and the communities that depend on it but also have the ability to scale and deliver impact on a global level.
"The program attracted a diverse group of entrepreneurs from around the world, all of whom recognized the value of connecting with and accessing networks and resources in Maine. This highlights the unique resources available here, which serve as a testing ground for global ocean applications and solutions.
Lucy Barrett Senior Manager, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, GMRI
Check out a company case study from our inaugural cohort, produced by our partners at Northeastern Institute's AI Solutions Hub, to see an example of how the program helped these companies further develop and integrate AI into their operations.
In-depth case studies like that above represent just one company's journey through the accelerator program, but all seven of the companies found the program valuable.
For Josh Humberston, founder of Coastal Measures, an environmental data company that uses AI to bridge the gap between raw data and analysis to give customers the information they need to make smart decisions, this accelerator raised the visibility of his work.
It put us on the map! I routinely have new people reaching out to me for collaboration or interest in the company because of the program.
Josh Humberston Founder, Coastal Measures![Josh Humberston Headshot]()
Josh Humberston Founder, Coastal Measures
Ami Everett, the founder of Blue Latitudes, had high levels of praise for the growth she achieved as a result of this program.
The Blue w(AI)ve program helped us grow in a way that would not have been possible otherwise. The resources and connections that the Blue w(AI)ve program provided accelerated our development and helped us expand our original ideas into ones that can be applicable across the blue economy. This is a 12/10 program!
Ami Everett Founder, Blue Latitudes![Ami Everett Headshot]()
Ami Everett Founder, Blue Latitudes
Innovating for the Future
As we reflect on the conclusion of our inaugural Blue w(AI)ve Accelerator, it’s clear that the program laid a strong foundation for future innovation in the blue economy. By bringing together AI expertise, ocean science, and entrepreneurial drive, we’ve seen how regional initiatives like ours in Maine can contribute to global solutions for pressing ocean challenges.
The success stories from our first cohort demonstrate that AI is not just a tool for these startups — it’s a transformative force that enables new ways to explore, conserve, and sustainably manage our oceans. The connections made, the technologies developed, and the knowledge shared throughout this accelerator will continue to drive progress long after the program’s end. We are currently in the planning phase for a second cohort, so be sure to follow the project website, our LinkedIn, and our newsletter to stay informed and be notified of updates.
