The Innovation District and six partners were recently selected to help grow startups that are working on technology/data solutions for the ocean economy. This powerful collaboration is made possible thanks to $13.9 million awarded by the NOAA Ocean Enterprise Accelerators program.
The team, known as The Continuum (Braid Theory, Ocean Exchange, St. Pete Innovation District, Seaworthy Collective, Tampa Bay Wave, University of South Florida, and World Ocean Council), will operate both regionally and nationally, building on environmental resilience ecosystems in Florida while supporting startups through partner nodes around the country that serve as test beds for demonstrations. This broad geographic reach ensures that regional challenges are addressed with a holistic, interconnected approach, strengthening national innovation capacity, as well as offering American startups the potential for international reach.
This win is an exciting milestone for the Innovation District and the Tampa Bay Ocean Enterprise. Thanks to everyone who helped make this possible. To learn more click here (thecontinuum.blue)
For recent articles about the award click here (St Pete Catalyst), click here (TBBJ), click here (USF CMS), click here (NOAA).
Be sure to check out registration for our annual State of Science and Innovation below!
I hope you all have a safe and joyous holiday season. See you in 2025!
Alison Barlow
Executive Director
We will host another Trolley Tour and Happy Hour on Friday, June 13th. You will board a trolley with other Innovation District partners and learn about the history and future plans for the area. This tour will feature stops at Albert Whitted Airport, Florida Institute of Oceanography, and The Dalí Museum. The tour will conclude back at the Hub with a networking happy hour.
April’s Tech X-change was a hit, thanks to an engaging presentation from Digital Twin Marine. Shoutout to all the Eckerd College students who joined us! The audience was curious and interactive, asking great questions and eager to try out the virtual reality headset.
April’s event, Morning Sparks: Innovation X-change (GIS...Beyond Mapping) was postponed, but we're still buzzing with ideas. Whether you're a mapping enthusiast or not quite sure what GIS even stands for, we’d love to know: is there a topic you'd like us to explore next? What kind of innovation in this space sparks your curiosity?