Water-quality analytics derived from the Internet of Things (IoT). Underwater Wi-Fi. Burgers, pasta and jerky made from kelp. These are a few of the ideas underpinning the startups that were just accepted into BlueSwell, New England's first dedicated bluetech incubator.
A project of the New England Aquarium and bluetech startup platform SeaAhead, BlueSwell aims to foster solutions geared toward ocean sustainability and global resilience.
BlueSwell's first cohort includes some familiar faces. The co-founders of H2Ok Innovations, David Lu and Annie Lu, were featured on this year's Rhode Island Inno Under 25 and BostInno's 25 Under 25, respectively. Vinci VR, meanwhile, was one of BostInno's Startups to Watch in 2020.
Officially kicked off on Monday, the program will last for 20 weeks. Each startup in the program will receive $35,000 in non-dilutive grant funding to build out ocean-related innovations. The funding will be disbursed in three tranches, at the beginning, middle and end of the program.
Read about the six startups in the cohort below. Descriptions provided by SeaAhead.
- SeaDeep: Enhanced 3D sea-floor ocean imaging, data visualization and analytics for better environmental characterization
- Vinci VR: Highly realistic, effective, and low-cost VR training software with the ability to real-time change the training environment without coding
- H2Ok Innovations: IoT-enabled data analytics platform enabling water-dependent businesses and communities to be proactive in managing water quality
- Oyster Common: An AI-powered marketplace for local seafood that enables farmers to connect with restaurants and customers through a virtual fishmonger
- Hydronet: Underwater networks comprised of acoustic modems and software that provide scalable, high-speed Wi-Fi services for critical assets underwater
- AKUA: A plant-based food company creating burgers, pasta and jerky from ocean-farmed kelp
