Item No.               8a 
Date of Meeting        August 13, 2019 
Maritime Blue/Port of Seattle Partnership 
Advancing Washington State's Maritime Industry

Advancing Maritime Innovation 
Seeking authorization for
to execute contract with
Maritime Blue to advance
maritime economic
development initiatives 
Seeking competitive
waiver for $200,000 oneyear
contract 

2

Maritime Innovation Initiative Progress 
Develop virtual accelerator          "The challenging times in all port related 
Develop MOU with WA State        markets,  like  logistics,  oil  and  gas,  and 
maritime, require that we have a window on 
Commission authorization         new technologies. 
for Ship Supply building
[The] PortXL [Maritime Accelerator] helped 
design work                        us  identify  these  trends,  bringing  new 
Form advisory group                business  models  to  our  markets  and 
challenging conventional businesses." 
Update Business Plan
Paul Smits 
CFO, Port of Rotterdam 

Substantial progress since January                                                                       3

Advancing Maritime Blue Partnership 
Agreement will support: 
1.   Developing and piloting a maritime accelerator program that will nurture promising
maritime companies and entrepreneurs; 
2.   Developing financing networks and programs for small and emerging maritime
companies; 
3.   Advance development of the Port's maritime innovation center 
Provide administrative support for the maritime innovation center advisory committee 
4.   Supporting forums, projects and strategies to reduce maritime greenhouse gas
emissions; and
5.   Advancing and advocating for maritime workforce development 


4

"Virtual Accelerator" 
Maritime Blue would select a
contractor to develop and pilot the
accelerator program: 
Market program extensively
Create candidate selection process,
entrepreneurial education and coaching
process, and related Capstone event at end
of program 
Operate the pilot accelerator including
New York Maritime Innovation Center Hackathon 
provision of space (virtual accelerator) 
Provide evaluative report at end of
initiative including lessons learned and
suggested refinements for the future 

5

The region's first Maritime Accelerator 
Virtual Accelerator program based on visits with local
accelerators and international maritime accelerators 
Retain firm that can develop and implement pilot accelerator 
Recruit 8-10 promising maritime ventures with growth potential 
Companies would go through 3-month intensive coaching process 
Companies would be paired with appropriate mentors 
Companies would pitch to investors/stakeholders at Capstone event 



Port XL - Rotterdam                                              theDock -- Isreal                                              Katapult Ocean -- Oslo 

6

Benefits to Incubator/Accelerator Companies 
Reduced barriers to entry 
Networking and mentoring 
Increased visibility and
stature 
Exposure to investors and
funders 
Increased company
valuation 
SURF Incubator in Seattle helps early stage high-tech companies 


Supporting Maritime Start-ups and Scale-ups                                                           7

Improve Access to Capital for Maritime Companies 
Maritime Blue will support maritime
innovation by improving access to capital for
early stage maritime companies: 
Maritime Blue (MB) is already completing
a comprehensive analysis of funding             "At VC funds and accelerators,
environment for maritime industry               maritime industry isn't that big.
[The solution is] to map who's
MB wants to use study to drive                  doing what and create a hierarchy
development of maritime venture fund          of needs and prioritize techs where
and increase deal flow                            there are multiple uses and needs" 
Maritime robotics researcher 
It will also use maritime accelerator to
showcase maritime investment
opportunities 

8

Initial Findings: Maritime Finance Landscape Analysis 
Very few equity providers are focused on maritime  they are either not
knowledgeable or interested because of government regulations and concerns about
scaling and exit potential 
In the U.S., the maritime enterprises that are successful in raising equity
investments are typically those with broader tech applications, as there is a robust
tech investment ecosystem that investors understand. 
Local maritime investment possibilities appear to be non-core maritime industry segments (which
tend to be more technology-focused) and some aspects of water transportation and shipping; 
There is a particular need for early-stage capital, especially in core maritime 
Government initiatives can help catalyze small business development 
Foundations and grant capital can play a critical role in de-risking investment 
Building strategic "capital stacks" important 
Importance of technical assistance alongside capital 

9

Reducing Maritime Greenhouse Gas Emissions 
Maritime Blue will work collaboratively
with the Port and other stakeholders to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions: 
NW Ports Clean Air Strategy Update 
Seattle Harbor electrification planning 
Industry engagement and
Demonstration Project management 
Digital solutions for efficiency 
Technology standardization 
Infrastructure improvements 


10

Maritime Workforce Development 
Maritime Blue will partner with the Port,
workforce development agencies and other
stakeholders to address challenges and
opportunities facing the maritime industry: 
Support the growth and sustainability of the
Youth Maritime Collaborative for an inclusive
and diverse pipeline aligned with CCW. 
Convene forums with maritime employers to
identify current and future workforce
demands 
Help develop specific training programs and
initiatives 

11

Appendix 

12

Maritime Innovation Center Advisory Committee 
Joshua Berger, WA Dept. of Commerce           Ed Paulsen, Bering Sea Crabber 
Andy Stewart, UW Applied Physics Lab           John Lockwood, Systems Integrated 
Stephanie Harrington, UW College of            Brock Mansfield, Salmon Fund 
Fisheries/Environment                          Elizabeth Scallon, WeWorks Innovation Lab 
Amy Sahlin, UW Burke School of                Lara Petursdottir, Pacific NW Ocean Cluster 
Entrepreneurship 
Rocque Deherara, City of Seattle 
Mike White, Pacific NW Laboratories (PNNL) 
Kristian Alcaide, Pingle 
Angela Becker-Dippmann, PNNL 
Jennifer States, DNVGL 
Christian Meinig, NOAA 
Fred Felleman, Port of Seattle Commissioner 
Cosmo King, I/O Currents 
Sandy Kilroy, Port of Seattle 
Berit Eriksson, Sailor's Union 
David McFadden, Port of Seattle 
Larry Brown, WA State Labor Council 
Kenny Lyles, Port of Seattle 
Will Ayers, Elliot Bay Design Group 

13

Maritime Blue Strategy: Pathways and Initiatives 



14

What Does a Cluster Organization do? 
General cluster development      Innovation collaboration       Knowledge collaboration 
Networking activities                    Set research priorities               R&D and education initiatives 
Facilitate collaboration                    Facilitate funding / financing         Build international relationships 
Strengthen the knowledge base          Accelerate tech development        Direct Advisory services' 
Improve practices and efficiency          Joint industry projects 
Attract investors and talent              ' 
Communications and marketing 
Drive commercialization 
Connect to education and training 
Advocacy and awareness 

15