Programs
I was reminded that the blue economy is not one sector — it is an entire operating system. It touches maritime logistics, ports, ocean monitoring, environmental data, conservation, clean energy, Al, robotics...
Fantastic event for the Ocean Economy. Thanks to the organizers and attendees. Florida wants to learn from you.
Set against the backdrop of the Port of Los Angeles, open water, and a clear sky… it was a strong reminder that logistics and sustainability aren't just "nice-to-haves." They are the backbone of this country and our standard of living.
The room was stacked: VCs, technologists, ecosystem builders, startups, and government leaders from the local to international level, all aligned around one of the most exciting and underestimated sectors in the innovation economy. Ocean tech is moving fast!
A special thank you to the team at Braid Theory for bringing together such a diverse community of innovators and ecosystem builders. Convening the right people around meaningful challenges is often where progress begins.
We go to about 30-40 conferences or tradeshows each year. By far the most unique is IGNITE22. We have been coming here since 2022, and it gets better and better every year.
One of the biggest takeaways was a reminder that while the challenges facing our coasts are significant, there are brilliant minds across sectors working every day to develop practical, scalable solutions.
Reúne a personas que están construyendo tecnología con impacto real y que entienden que innovar no es solo tener una buena idea, sino conseguir que funcione fuera del laboratorio.
Events like this remind me how much momentum is building around the blue economy. Already looking forward to the next one.
Congratulations to the Braid Theory team for organizing another inspiring day that showcased technology from around the globe at our waterfront. This event truly activated our District with innovation and entrepreneurship.
Worldwide
BT Surge | APAC Edition
Blue Economy Accelerator
BT Surge APAC is a virtual blue economy accelerator supporting engineering- and science-led startups at TRL 4-7 developing solution across the ocean, freshwater, and coastal sectors. The program serves founders across Asia, and Oceania (APAC) and focuses on building capability, capacity, and intellectual capital.
Applications open for Q3 2026.
Supported by
You must attend 70% of the weekly workshops unless agreed upon in writing.
The program concentrates on three key aspects of commercialization: building capability, capacity, and intellectual capital. Some additional topics include: business model, market fit, customer discovery, value proposition, and go-to-market strategy.
During the 10-week program, teams will engage in weekly 90 minute curriculum calls, a 60 minute 1:1 mentor call with their assigned advisor, and be responsible for working towards specific deliverables. We understand founders are very busy. Expect to spend 3-5 hours a week.
Braid Theory does not provide direct seed funding.
No, our Accelerator and Incubator programs are free of charge.
Supported by
Worldwide
BT Surge | EMEA Edition
Blue Economy Accelerator
BT Surge is a blue economy accelerator supporting engineering- and science-led startups at TRL 4–7 developing solutions across the ocean, freshwater, and coastal sectors. The program serves founders across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA).
Next cohort in Q1, 2027.
Supported by
We love LA (and our favorite neighborhood San Pedro), however, it's not a requirement for you to move here to be in this program.
You must attend 70% of the weekly workshops unless agreed upon in writing.
The program concentrates on three key aspects of commercialization: building capability, capacity, and intellectual capital. Some additional topics include: business model, market fit, customer discovery, value proposition, and go-to-market strategy.
During the 10-week program, teams will engage in weekly 90 minute curriculum calls, a 60 minute 1:1 mentor call with their assigned advisor, and be responsible for working towards specific deliverables. We understand founders are very busy. Expect to spend 3-5 hours a week.
Braid Theory does not provide direct seed funding.
No, our Accelerator and Incubator programs are free of charge.
Supported by
Los Angeles
LA Blue
Blue Economy Accelerator
The LA Blue Accelerator supports engineering and science led startups working on solutions (TRL 4-7) across all areas of the blue economy including ocean, fresh water and coastal regions, with an interest in landing in Southern California.
Applications open January 2027.
Supported by
For LA Blue, we require that you have the intent to build and grow your business here in Los Angeles.
The program concentrates on three key aspects of commercialization: building capability, capacity, and intellectual capital. Some additional topics include: business model, market fit, customer discovery, value proposition, and go-to-market strategy.
During the 10-week program, teams will engage in weekly 90 minute curriculum calls, a 60 minute 1:1 mentor call with their assigned advisor, and be responsible for working towards specific deliverables. We understand founders are very busy. Expect to spend 3-5 hours a week.
Braid Theory does not provide direct seed funding.
No, our Accelerator and Incubator programs are free of charge.
Supported by
Los Angeles
Blue Future Incubator
Braid Space at AltaSea
Designed for companies that have successfully completed the LA Blue Accelerator (or equivalent accepted on a case-by-case basis), the Blue Future Incubator offers continued mentorship, expert workshops, networking opportunities, and funding connections. This ongoing program is offered at Braid Theory’s co-working space, Braid Space at AltaSea at The Port of Los Angeles. To be eligible for LA Blue, companies must be ready to grow their businesses and create jobs in the City of Los Angeles.
Applications accepted on a rolling basis.
Supported by
We love LA (and our favorite neighborhood San Pedro), however, it's not a requirement for you to move here to be in this program.
The program concentrates on three key aspects of commercialization: building capability, capacity, and intellectual capital. Some additional topics include: business model, market fit, customer discovery, value proposition, and go-to-market strategy.
Braid Theory does not provide direct seed funding.
No, our Accelerator and Incubator programs are free of charge.
Supported by
USA
Ocean Enterprise Accelerator
The Ocean Enterprise Accelerator supports ocean data and technology companies advancing solutions across the blue economy. This NOAA-funded program is delivered in partnership with The Continuum, a collaboration of seven entrepreneurial support organizations.
Applications open January 2027.
Supported by
Upon successful graduation and application, teams may be eligible for up to $150k in non-dilutive funding through the Technology, Development, and Commercialization (TDC) Grant.
We love LA (and our favorite neighborhood San Pedro), however, it's not a requirement for you to move here to be in this program.
You must attend 70% of the weekly workshops unless agreed upon in writing.
The program concentrates on three key aspects of commercialization: building capability, capacity, and intellectual capital. Some additional topics include: business model, market fit, customer discovery, value proposition, and go-to-market strategy.
During the 10-week program, teams will engage in weekly 90 minute curriculum calls, a 60 minute 1:1 mentor call with their assigned advisor, and be responsible for working towards specific deliverables. We understand founders are very busy. Expect to spend 3-5 hours a week.
No, our Accelerator and Incubator programs are free of charge.
Supported by
USA
Commercialization Prep Accelerator
This advanced program combines 1:1 mentoring with cohort-based programming designed to prepare founders for the Technology Development and Commercialization (TDC) award process. Individual mentoring focuses on refining business models, while workshops support pilot development, proposal drafting and TDC preparation.
Supported by
During the 4-week program, teams will engage in a 90 minute curriculum call, a 60 minute 1:1 mentor call with their assigned advisor, and be responsible for working towards a specific commercialization strategy aligned with their TDC application.
Upon successful graduation and application, teams may be eligible for up to $150k in non-dilutive funding through the Technology, Development, and Commercialization (TDC) Grant.
We love LA (and our favorite neighborhood San Pedro), however, it's not a requirement for you to move here to be in this program.
You must attend 70% of the weekly workshops unless agreed upon in writing.
No, our Accelerator and Incubator programs are free of charge.
Supported by
USA
Marine Energy Advisory
Braid Theory is now soliciting marine energy and water power companies interested in applying for the DOE TEAMER Commercialization Track. Through TEAMER, we provide targeted commercialization support including market strategy, customer discovery, value proposition refinement, partnership development, investor readiness, and go-to-market planning.
Supported by
We love LA (and our favorite neighborhood San Pedro), however, it's not a requirement for you to move here to be in this program.
Supported by
Worldwide
Springboard
Pilot to market
Braid Theory works with public and private stakeholders to continuously assess industry needs to bring forth problem lists and pilot project opportunities. For Braid Theory portfolio companies, Springboard offers customized support to identify projects, build multi-stakeholder coalitions, prepare proposals, and deploy projects.
Applications accepted on a rolling basis.
Funded by
We love LA (and our favorite neighborhood San Pedro), however, it's not a requirement for you to move here to be in this program.
Funded by
Worldwide
Global Landing Pads
Working with partners across the globe, Braid Theory assists blue economy entrepreneurs in scaling their solutions internationally. We offer business incubation, co-working space, access to events and networking activities, and other landing pad support services in Los Angeles, Barcelona and Lisbon.
Applications accepted on a rolling basis.
We love LA (and our favorite neighborhood San Pedro), however, it's not a requirement for you to move here to be in this program.
Connect
We collaborate with ambitious founders, forward-thinking industry leaders, and mission-aligned investors to accelerate technologies from concept to real-world deployment. Whether you’re building, scaling, or backing innovation, Braid Theory provides the platform, partnerships, and pathways to drive meaningful growth and impact.


















