Oceantic Network and SeaAhead name top U.S. offshore wind startups chosen to pitch their industry innovations at the 2023 International Offshore Wind Partnering Forum in March
For Immediate Release: February 28, 2023
Media Contact: Luke Jeanfreau
BALTIMORE – Oceantic Network, in partnership with SeaAhead, today announced the winners of the 2023 Startup Alley competition, which provides guidance and a platform for the most innovative startups in the offshore wind industry to pitch their ideas. This year, 13 start-up companies whose technologies and products serve the offshore wind industry will present at the Network’s annual International Offshore Wind Partnering Forum (IPF), taking place in Baltimore from March 28-30.
To support its rapid growth throughout U.S. coastlines, the offshore wind industry requires innovative businesses in the supply chain to help reduce costs and ensure sustainable development. However, it can be difficult for small startups to find their place in the industry when starting out. Startup Alley gives these businesses the opportunity to showcase their innovations and directly connect with industry leaders and stakeholders at IPF.
“Innovation is a necessity if the industry is to achieve the 30 GW of offshore wind by 2030 and 15 GW of floating offshore wind by 2035 goals set by the Biden-Harris Administration,” said Liz Burdock, president of the Network, the largest nonprofit organization dedicated to growing the offshore wind industry and its supply chain. “Through this partnership with SeaAhead, we can showcase unique ways to address the challenges the industry faces, from spurring supply chain cooperation to reducing the environmental impact of offshore wind projects.
This year’s cohort of startups represent innovation at multiple points on the offshore wind supply chain. Their products and services will benefit operations across the industry, including everything from on-turbine electric vessel charging system, wind propulsion for service trips, and biofouling drag reduction, further decarbonizing the supply chain, to upgrading the manufacturing and construction to reach scale faster, with elevator systems, self-erecting platforms, superconducting wire, and hyper local weather-informed planning and scheduling. The 2023 Startup Alley Participants are:
- Aikido Technologies
Designed a self-erecting platform for floating offshore wind turbines - Aloft Systems
Designs and manufactures modern sails to reduce fuel consumption on commercial ships - BeeX
Increases efficiency of underwater asset management using autonomous underwater vehicles - Blackfish Engineering
Developed the first on-turbine electric vessel charging system - Blue Ocean Gear
Provides intelligent, connected buoys for tracking ocean gear - CLS Wind
Developing an elevator system to reduce the need for large cranes in turbine installation - Cut-In
Building a supplier database to help local businesses participate in the supply chain - Fathom Science
Provides science-driven metocean intelligence to help developers increase project efficiency - Finsulate®
Developed a wrap to replace traditional anti-fouling paints on ocean vessels - MetOx Technologies
Manufactures High Temperature Superconducting wire, which reduces transmission loss - SeaDeep
Provides software to enable remote piloting of underwater vessels - SeaTrac Systems, Inc.
Develops uncrewed, solar-powered surface vehicles for surveying and monitoring - Whiffle
Developed an ultra-high-resolution weather model that helpins in planning offshore wind projects
For the second year, the Network and SeaAhead have partnered to select the promising startups within the global offshore wind industry. Each company will present their pitch to IPF participants and take part in a moderated Q&A.
“We are excited to hear from a whole new cohort at Startup Alley this year,” said SeaAhead Program Manager Katherine Woolford. “These startups are innovating at every point along the supply chain, and we can’t wait to see the scores of connections that will happen after the pitches on the IPF conference floor, accelerating the development of the industry towards its 2030 goals.”
For more information or to arrange an interview with the Network, contact Luke Jeanfreau
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As a non-profit organization, the Oceantic Network’s driving purpose is to inform, coordinate, and mobilize human ingenuity, enterprise, and labor to take advantage of the urgent need to tap the vast offshore wind and renewable energy resources that lie in the world’s oceans. The collective, coordinated efforts of our 600+ members equip communities and nations to accelerate the transition to clean energy and create economic opportunities.
At SeaAhead, we are on a mission to launch new ocean-related ventures into scalable businesses. We are a community of entrepreneurs, technologists, mentors, and investors seeking solutions to the toughest challenges facing the ocean. Our partnerships allow us to break down barriers to growth and support startups with expertise, resources, and connections across a variety of bluetech sectors – from offshore renewable energy to resilient waterfronts, clean shipping, fisheries and aquaculture. We drive innovation. Our innovation challenges inspire new ideas, the BlueSwell Incubator builds companies, and the Blue Angels facilitate bluetech investment. Working alongside cutting-edge ocean entrepreneurs gives us unique market insight and deal flow, which has led us to launch SeaAhead Ventures, a new fund dedicated to emerging ocean technology currently in formation.
