COMMISSION 
AGENDA MEMORANDUM                        Item No.          9a 
BRIEFING ITEM                             Date of Meeting        July 14, 2020 
DATE:     July 9, 2020 
TO:        Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director 
FROM:    David McFadden, Managing Director, Economic Development Division 
SUBJECT:  Washington Maritime Blue Progress Report and Partnership Plans for 2021 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
Last year the Port of Seattle executed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Washington
Maritime Blue (MB), the new nonprofit organization charged with implementing Washington
State's Strategy for the Blue Economy. The Memorandum of Understanding lays out general
areas of cooperation and directs the partners to develop annual joint programs of work over the
next five years. 
The MOU and Port service agreements with MB has formalized an effective partnership to
advance the Blue Economy.  Over the past year we have jointly launched a successful pilot
maritime innovation accelerator, advanced the Youth Maritime Collaborative  workforce
development initiative and initiated efforts to decarbonize the maritime industry. 
The partnership to build a Blue Economy is working and per the MOU we have developed goals
for the next year: 
advance second round of maritime innovation accelerator program 
expand Maritime Youth Collaborative career connective learning initiative 
collaborate on greenhouse gas reduction initiatives that positively impact Port operations 
Diversify funding sources and develop strategic plan for MB Board development 
To support this work staff will be seeking Commission authorization to execute a $300,000 twoyear
contract with Maritime Blue. Staff will bring this request forward on July 28th so that work
on these important initiatives can continue. These resources will be augmented by $100,000 that
supports the second year of Workforce Development's contract to administer the Youth
Maritime Collaborative. 
INITIAL PARTNERSHIP WITH WASHINGTON MARITIME BLUE 
To support implementation of Washington State's Strategy for a Blue Economy the Port of Seattle
executed a memorandum of understanding in July 2019 with Washington Maritime Blue. The

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COMMISSION AGENDA  Action Item No. 9a                                   Page 2 of 6 
Meeting Date: July 14, 2020 
MOU  provides a framework on how the Port and Washington Maritime Blue will work
collaboratively to implement elements of the broader Blue Economy plan: 
To further implementation of Maritime Blue initiatives, the Port and the Maritime Blue cluster
organization will jointly develop annual workplans, as needed, that outline and formalize each
organization's roles and responsibilities towards implementing Maritime Blue projects and
initiatives. This work plan should identify joint goals, metrics, outcomes and funding needed to
successfully support maritime accelerator initiatives, workforce training programs and a host
of other Maritime Blue initiatives.
The Port of Seattle Commission followed up on the MOU by subsequently authorizing a contract
with Washington Maritime Blue to implement several priority initiatives in 2020: 
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.  Advancing 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 
Maritime Blue was also chosen via a competitive procurement process to support the Youth
Maritime Collaborative (YMC) career connected learning initiative. Originally hosted by the
Seattle Maritime Academy, the YMC is now an integrated program of MB. The Collaborative is
comprised of regional maritime organizations, youth programs, industry leaders, education
programs and local government agencies. As a team, the Collaborative works to create career
pathways for youth pursuing careers in the maritime industry and aspire to make maritime an
appealing career option for low-income youth and youth of color. The scope of work for the
contract with the Port of Seattle includes: 
1.  Operational and budget planning 
2.  Employer and youth engagement, including 
Delivery of experiential activities for engaging youth and building awareness of
maritime careers 
Development and oversight of internship programs with maritime employers 
Development and delivery of Equity Training for employers and youth
organizations 
Completion of maritime pathways and pipeline mapping 
Organizing and attending maritime industry events for increased awareness and
partnerships 
3.  YMC administration, facilitation and planning 


Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Action Item No. 9a                                   Page 3 of 6 
Meeting Date: July 14, 2020 
MARITIME BLUE PROGRESS AND RESULTS 
Maritime Blue Innovation Accelerator 
MB contracted with WeWorks Innovation Labs to develop and operate a new maritime business
accelerator program. The Port of Seattle, WeWorks and Maritime Blue launched the accelerator
last October. Over 200 applied to the program and a select team of maritime experts chose
eleven companies to participate in the accelerator (see attached report).
The 16-week initiative started in January. Through a mix of workshops, webinars, panels, and
talks, the accelerator cohort was guided through learning sessions covering everything from
market research to exit strategy. The curriculum was carefully curated so it was relevant to all
business stages and sectors of the Blue Economy. Courses were led by industry experts and the
cohort also had the opportunity to engage personally with dedicated mentors throughout the
program. 
In March MB and WeWorks pivoted the accelerator program due to the COVID pandemic. The
program moved online, and a big demo day planned for the cohort at Bell Harbor Conference
Center went to a virtual platform  instead.  Despite these COVID related challenges the
accelerator nonetheless finished on a high note.
Over 350 people joined the final online showcase in April to learn more about the maritime
accelerator and hear polished pitches from our participating maritime entrepreneurs. The cohort
continued to gather online in April to tweak strategies and plans based on feedback they received
after the summit or during their four-month journey.
Initial results from the maritime innovation accelerator are favorable. Participating companies
gave the program high marks. The accelerator also generated broad based interest and support
from the maritime industry. MB and Port staff will continue to track the cohort over the next
few years to track company progress and results (jobs created, revenue growth, etc.). Some
highlighted "wins" to date include: 
Discovery Health MD  has become a national leader and sought-after expert in
COVID-19 response for maritime and fisheries. Increased revenue by over 500% 
EQULL  Major local costumer acquisition plus negotiating a major international
costumer. 
Neptune  Negotiating a round of equity funding 
Pure Watercraft  Negotiating a $20M Series A round of funding 
Net Your problem  "I entered this Accelerator program as a marine biologist
trying to do something good for the environment and muddling along as a
businesswoman trying to make that happen. As a result of this Accelerator
program, I now have goals, a growth strategy, know what my value proposition is
and how to digitally market that to highlight my competitive advantage". 
Eco Spears  Negotiating contract with WA State Dept. of Ecology and in
discussion w/ Port of Seattle 

Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Action Item No. 9a                                   Page 4 of 6 
Meeting Date: July 14, 2020 
Developing Finance Networks for Emerging and Small Maritime Companies (see attachment) 
To address access to capital issues impacting the maritime industry, MB researched potential
funding structures that could provide investment capital to support growth in the Blue Economy
throughout Washington state. The study MB completed presents frameworks and strategies to
fill funding gaps from a variety of investment sources, including public and private capital.
Additional key findings included: 
Highest-growth sectors in the Blue Economy are those focused on technological
solutions and those related to water transportation and shipping. 
Compared to other industries, few equity providers are focused on maritime they are
either not knowledgeable or interested because of government regulations and concern
about scaling and exit potential. 
People of color and women each represent less than 10% of small and medium-sized
business ownership in Washington's maritime economy, a severe under-representation
that may be driven by lack of access to capital. 
The study also identified action items to support Blue Economy growth: 
Pilot a Maritime Blue Accelerator to assist small and medium-sized businesses and
startups with mentorship and other support services including access to funders. 
Share a Capital Suppliers Asset Map of debt, equity and grant sources for startups, early
-stage, growing and mature small and medium-sized businesses. 
Better understand the causes of under-representation of women and people of color in
Washington's Blue Economy and create mitigation strategies. 
As a result of this capital landscape study, MB worked with University of Washington students to
create a Funder Portal for the Blue Economy, an online directory of debt, equity and grant
resources for the maritime industry. 

Support development of Maritime Innovation Center 
MB supports the Port's Maritime Innovation Center advisory committee. This group meets
quarterly to review progress on the Port's innovation center capital project. MB sends out



Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Action Item No. 9a                                   Page 5 of 6 
Meeting Date: July 14, 2020 
meeting notices, takes minutes and helps Port staff develop meeting agendas, including
stakeholder input to ongoing design and operations of the future Center. 

Maritime Industry Greenhouse Gas Reduction 
MB works with members, partners, and stakeholders to facilitate and implement key
Demonstration Projects as envisioned and prescribed in the State's Strategy for the Blue
Economy including deep decarbonization of the maritime sector. To that end, MB is part of a
consortium that has been awarded a competitive bid to develop the Ports Waterfront
Electrification Strategy. MB's role will be coordination and facilitation of key industry and
government stakeholders as the Port's Strategy is developed 
MB also holds public/stakeholder informational events called Blue Forums. In November 2019,
with support from the Port of Seattle, and in partnership US Dept. of Energy and Pacific
Northwest National Laboratory, MB held an event entitled, "R&D Pathways for Maritime Energy
Solutions" that brought together state and federal research institutions with maritime industry
leaders to align research, operational and commercial needs for decarbonization. 
Implementing Youth Maritime Collaborative's Career Connected Learning Initiatives 
To date, MB has taken tangible steps to re-invigorate the Youth Maritime Collaborative and
implement programs with the primary goal of increasing access to maritime pathways for youth
of color and girls: 
Delivered YMC 2020 operational plan and budget and milestones 
Secured further funding for YMC activities 
Delivered a resource database for key maritime youth workforce development 
Secured 10 private sector employers for summer Launch 206 summer internship program
for 18 Seattle Public School CTE students 
Designed and implemented Equity Training for 10 maritime employers 
Continue YMC meeting planning and facilitation 
Washington Maritime Blue has produced significant accomplishments in its first year. Port staff
is working with MB to build off this momentum and focus on the following priorities for 2021: 
Organize and support second round of maritime innovation accelerator program; 
Expand Youth Maritime Collaborative career connective learning initiative; 
Collaborate on decarbonization initiatives that positively impact Port operations; and 
Diversify funding sources and develop strategic plan for MB Board development 
This continued partnership between the Port and Washington Maritime Blue helps to insure
commitment to the values of the State's Strategy for the Blue Economy; A growing maritime and
ocean economy, healthy ocean and marine ecosystems, and equitable and resilient communites.
This MOU, coupled with committed with funding, allows MB staff and contractors to utilize its

Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Action Item No. 9a                                   Page 6 of 6 
Meeting Date: July 14, 2020 
growing network of private industry, public sector, research & academic institutions, and
community & workforce organizations deliver our strategic goals to create herein Washington a: 
Thriving Low-Carbon Maritime Industry through Deep Decarbonization 
Global Innovation Hub through Joint Innovation and Entrepreneurship 
Green Gateway through Working Waterfronts that create safe jobs support climate &
environmental action. 
Diverse and Equitable 21st Century Maritime Workforce 
World Class Cluster through a Strategic Alliance for Maritime Innovation and
Sustainability 

ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST 
(1)   Presentation slides 
(2)   Capital Landscape study 
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS 
July 23, 2019  The Commission authorized one-year contract with Maritime Blue to 
implement priorities established in Memorandum of Understanding 
July 9, 2019  The Commission authorized executive of Memorandum of Understanding with
Washington Maritime Blue to clarify partnership opportunities and responsibilities 
May 14, 2019  The Commission authorized design funding for the Maritime Innovation 
Center (Historic Ship Supply Building) 
January 8, 2019  Commission received a briefing regarding Maritime Blue Plan and the
Maritime Innovation Center. 







Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.