NW Innovation Resource Center announces Bluetech/Cleantech incubator cohort for entrepreneurs

Idea phase and early stage startup businesses will receive assistance from validating their innovative ideas through planning their funding strategy.

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Bellingham, WA — The NW Innovation Resource Center announced that it is partnering with WA Maritime Blue and CleanTech Alliance to support its Bluetech/Cleantech Incubator Cohort. Building upon the mindset of innovation in the area, the cohort members will have access to assistance from experts to explore the viability of their ideas and build their startup business.

The Ports of Anacortes, Bellingham, Edmonds, Everett and Skagit are collaborating to support cohort participants with expertise about maritime activities.

“Maritime Blue’s mission is to support the development of a Hub and Spoke model for supporting innovation and entrepreneurship in the Blue Economy. NWIRC is the perfect partner to engage our maritime communities in North Sound. We see this as a lasting partnership to help build our respective ecosystems, together.” Joshua Berger, President/CEO WA Maritime Blue.

Entrepreneurs with an idea or are in the process of getting their business started but find themselves “stuck” or at a loss for the best way to move forward, might find this Cohort to be a good fit. Guidance will include support from ideation to execution and investment – all tailored for the cohort member’s particular stage in growth.

“We welcome the support of WA Maritime Blue and Cleantech Alliance working with us to unleash the innovation in our region. The startups will expand the competitive business climate throughout the region between Seattle and Vancouver, BC ” stated Diane Kamionka, Executive Director, NWIRC.

“The CleanTech Alliance is excited to partner with NWIRC and WA Maritime Blue to support entrepreneurs in Northwest Washington with business ideas in the cleantech and bluetech sectors. Cleantech startups are challenging, but valuable and important elements for our future. We are excited to be a part of a program that helps develop more of those businesses.” Mel Clark, CEO & President, CleanTech Alliance.

Find more detail or submit an application to participate at BlueTech/CleanTech Cohort – Northwest Innovation Resource Center (nwirc.com)

The NW Innovation Resource Center is a nonprofit organization that builds innovation capacity within northwest Washington. It assists entrepreneurs and inventors in developing their individual business strategy and execution as they move from idea to success and add to the economic resilience of the region. For more details please visit www.nwirc.com.

About the CleanTech Alliance
CleanTech Alliance represents 300+ member organizations spanning ten U.S. states and three Canadian provinces. Founded in 2007 by business and cleantech leaders, the Alliance facilitates the generation and growth of cleantech companies and jobs through a variety of educational programs, research, products and services. For more details, please visit www.cleantechalliance.org/

About Maritime Blue
Washington Maritime Blue is a non-profit, strategic alliance formed to accelerate innovation and sustainability in support of an inclusive blue economy. With a mission to implement Washington State’s Strategy for the Blue Economy delivered by Governor Jay Inslee’s Maritime Innovation Advisory Council, we are a partnership between industry, public sector, research & training institutions, and community organizations. Maritime Blue works to create a world-class, thriving, equitable, and sustainable maritime and ocean industry through knowledge sharing, joint innovation, entrepreneurship, commercialization, business, and workforce development.