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BlueTech

BlueTech Program

The BlueTech Program will focus on the application of advanced technologies and innovations related to the marine and maritime domain, emphasizing defense purposes, and climate resilience. 

 

This 6-week program designed to support strategic exposure to startups looking to collaborate with defense procurement offices, government agencies, and investors.

 

Questions?  You can also send an email to bluetech@masschallenge.org

Challenges    Key Dates    Eligibility    Program Benefits   Partners

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Challenge Statements

Maritime Surveillance Enhancement

Develop innovative technologies to improve the detection and tracking of unauthorized vessels and underwater threats in national waters, enhancing maritime security and national defense capabilities.

Cybersecurity for Naval Operations

Create advanced cybersecurity solutions to protect naval communication and operational systems from cyberattacks, ensuring the integrity and resilience of critical maritime infrastructure.

Distributed Autonomous Naval Systems

Design and implement cooperative, distributed autonomous underwater and surface vehicle systems that can perform reconnaissance, surveillance, and defense missions with minimal human intervention, increasing operational efficiency and safety.

Counter-Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs)

Develop advanced systems to detect, identify, and neutralize hostile unmanned underwater vehicles, ensuring the protection of naval assets and critical underwater infrastructure from emerging underwater threats.

Undersea Sensing and Data Collection

Create methods to enhance the collection, analysis, and utilization of large-scale undersea sensing data, optimizing for accuracy, efficiency, and sustainability in marine environments.

Ocean Plastic Cleanup

Develop scalable technologies for the efficient removal and recycling of plastic waste from the oceans, contributing to the reduction of marine pollution and the restoration of marine ecosystems.

Sustainable Aquaculture Solutions

Create sustainable aquaculture systems that minimize environmental impact, promote biodiversity, and ensure the long-term viability of seafood production to meet growing global demand.

Renewable Marine Energy

Innovate cost-effective and efficient renewable energy solutions, such as tidal, wave, and offshore wind energy, to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lower the carbon footprint of marine operations.

Ocean Power

Maximize marine energy and resources and improve energy usage by innovative solutions synergized with motion control technology, such as converting to renewable energy contributing to zero carbon emission and sustainable ocean environment.

Climate Resilient Coastal Infrastructure

Design and implement resilient coastal infrastructure that can withstand the impacts of climate change, such as rising sea levels and increased storm intensity, while promoting environmental sustainability and protecting vulnerable coastal communities.

Enabling Technologies We're Seeking

The BlueTech technology areas that will be prioritized for consideration in 2024 include but are not limited to:

Eligibility Requirements

 To be eligible for the program, we recommend: 

  • Well-established product-market fit with clear evidence of customer demand   
  • Interest in scaling through both through commercial & federal markets   
  • Use case that addresses one or more of the challenges identified  
  • Must be able to attend an in-person demo day on November 12, 2024, in Boston, MA.

Timeline

Bluetech 024 Timeline

Program Goals

  • Deepen startup awareness of industry needs and challenges 
  • Accelerate engagement, impact, innovation, and speed to tech transfer  
  • Drive understanding and connection for BlueTech entrepreneurs to the needs of commercial markets  
  • Provide startup teams with the education, connections, and resources to effectively work with government partners 
  • Drive increased SBIR/STTR awards to MassChallenge supported startups  

Program Benefits

Startups accepted into this program will be exposed to:

 

  • Mentorship from industry experts  
  • Avenues for partnership and joint technology development with strategics 
  • Pathways to further their technological use case and/or validation 
  • Funding opportunities 
  • Media exposure 
  • Legal support  

Program Partners

Community Partners