Port of San Diego’s Blue Economy Incubator Expands Port Innovators Network into USA
February 6, 2025
- Blue Economy Incubator delivers economic growth while preserving the health of the ocean.
- Port Innovators Network (PIN) is a growing network of international port innovation hubs on three continents including homePORT, The PIER, Opentop, Cubo Maritime & Port, SmartportLab, 2050 National Maritime Innovation Hub, and now the Blue Economy Incubator at the Port of San Diego, California.
PIN is pleased to welcome the Blue Economy Incubator at the Port of San Diego, California to the growing network of international port innovation hubs. As the first American port to join PIN, the Blue Economy Incubator will contribute proven experience and success supporting projects and entrepreneurs, and rich insights on the development of advanced solutions in the blue economy.
In 2016, the Port of San Diego established the Blue Economy Incubator to assist in the creation, early development, and initial scaling of new Blue Economy business ventures along San Diego Bay. The Port is strategically positioned to act as a catalyst for the Blue Economy by fostering sustainable ocean-based innovation, driving Port-related businesses, removing barriers to entrepreneurs, and providing funding, key assets, support services including entitlement and permitting assistance, and pilot project facilitation.
Since its creation, the Port-led Blue Economy Incubator hs launched 10 innovative projects and reinvested in one of the companies, all aimed at delivering economic growth while preserving ocean health. With expanding Blue Economy partnerships, like PIN, the Port looks forward to growing global innovation opportunities in coastal resiliency, environmental remediation, maritime decarbonization, nature-based solutions, ocean data, and shellfish and seaweed aquaculture.
Quotes
“As a port of firsts, the Port of San Diego is honoured to be the first port in the United States and the Pacific Rim to be a part of the Port Innovators Network (PIN), a global community that is pushing the boundaries of the Blue Economy through innovation hubs. The Port’s Blue Economy achievements are anchored in partnerships and collaborations and we look forward to working with all members of the PIN, including the network’s founders – Hamburg Port Authority, Port Authority of Valencia, and our PIN sponsor, the Port of Halifax.”
– Chair Danielle Moore, Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners
“The Port of San Diego’s partnership with the Port Innovators Network is rooted in the desire to expand on the plethora of opportunities within the Blue Economy, especially through our Blue Economy Incubator and with our network of global partners. When it comes to innovation, we are excited to bring our knowledge and applied expertise to the PIN which includes ports from all over the world with a common interest of developing top tier ocean-based solutions.”
– Jason Giffen, Vice President of Planning and Environment at the Port of San Diego
“Here at The PIER in the Port of Halifax, we share a common goal with the Blue Economy Incubator to provide links between emerging concepts, technologies and projects with a real-world port testing environment. The commitment by the Blue Economy Incubator to support projects that foster economic growth while protecting ocean health will contribute to the PIN partnership goal to share port learnings and experiences across continents for improving the marine sector and global supply chain.”
– Mike Davie, Vice President, Operations, Sustainability and Technology, Halifax Port Authority
About PIN
The Port Innovators Network (PIN) is a global network of innovation hubs for ports, aiming to drive innovation adoption in the global port system by connecting communities of innovation centers, such as startups, entrepreneurs, companies, researchers, universities, and investors, to share innovative ideas, project results, innovation experiences, methodologies, and best practices.
About Port of San Diego, Blue Economy Incubator
About 2050 National Maritime Innovation Hub
About SmartportLab
About homePORT
About The PIER
About Opentop – Fundación Valenciaport
About Cubo Maritime & Port
Media Inquiries
homePORT: mailto:[email protected]
The PIER: [email protected]
Opentop: [email protected]
Port of San Diego: [email protected]