Twelve ocean-focused startups will receive training and up to $150,000 in funding through the StartBlue Ocean Enterprise Accelerator at UC San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

The La Jolla-based program, a partnership between Scripps and the Rady School of Management, announced its fifth cohort on Sept. 1. The startups span sectors including maritime security, coastal resilience and resource management.

The program takes no equity and charges no fees.

Since launching in 2021, StartBlue has backed 34 companies that collectively raised $19.5 million during their time in the program, according to UC San Diego.

Jack Gilbert, a professor of microbial oceanography at Scripps and StartBlue's lead principal investigator, said the program "helps small businesses and entrepreneurs turn innovative technologies, products and services into scalable solutions for healthier oceans, more resilient coasts and a thriving blue economy."

The cohort is split into two tracks. Five early-stage "Launch" startups can apply for up to $20,000 in non-dilutive funding after completing the program. Seven mid-stage "Scale" startups can apply for up to $150,000.

The Launch track includes Center for Environmental Imaging, which builds AI-powered analytics for environmental data, and Cetocean, a sea-surface temperature data platform. Deep Anchor Solutions Inc. develops anchors for floating offshore infrastructure. Magnesis Robotics focuses on bio-inspired underwater propulsion. Watts on Water creates site feasibility tools for water-based renewable energy.

The Scale track includes AquaPoro Technologies Inc., which turns air into ultra-pure water, and Benchmark Labs Inc., a weather intelligence provider for marine and construction industries. Hawaii Ocean Power Solutions LLC builds a wave-powered data platform. Lucendi Inc. uses AI to detect microplastics and pathogens in water. Scoot Science makes ocean intelligence software for fishermen and fish farmers. SpaceTime Industries builds security systems for ocean infrastructure. Sub Sea Sonics LLC makes low-cost underwater equipment recovery systems.

The program received a NOAA Ocean Enterprise Initiative Phase 2 award from the U.S. Department of Commerce. Its original 2020 funding came from the Economic Development Administration's Industry Challenge Award and donations from the Scripps Director's Council and other philanthropic supporters.

In the prior program year, StartBlue distributed $1.26 million across 12 startups that completed all milestones.

Navy McKee, CEO and founder of alumni company Kai Pono Solutions, said in the Scripps cohort announcement on Sept. 1 that the program "really introduced me to the niche blue industry."

The 2026 program's in-person kickoff week runs Monday, Sept. 14, through Friday, Sept. 18, in San Diego. The cohort will present at an Ocean Enterprise showcase during TMA BlueTech Week on Nov. 19 at the Robert Paine Scripps Forum for Science, Society and the Environment at Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Registration details have not yet been announced.