Maine Blue Economy Week
Wednesday, September 30 – Friday, October 2, 2026
Portland, ME
Bringing together the people, capital, and ideas shaping the future of ocean innovation.
Organizing Partners
About the Event
Maine Blue Economy Week will convene entrepreneurs, funders, researchers, students, and ecosystem shaping the future of Maine’s ocean and coastal economy.
Over three days, the event will feature programming designed to build connections, exchange ideas, and foster collaboration around emerging trends in blue economy investment, entrepreneurship, workforce training, and cross-sector innovation. It will highlight Maine’s unique strengths as a hub for ocean innovation and focus on strengthening collaboration to advance sustainable economic development across Maine’s marine sectors.
Maine Blue Economy Week is presented through a cooperative collaboration with the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, the University of Maine, Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, and The Roux Institute at Northeastern University.
What to Expect
Build relationships across Maine’s ocean innovation ecosystem
Gain insight into emerging trends and investment areas
Explore collaboration opportunities across sectors
Experience Maine’s working waterfront and research assets
Who Should Attend
Industry + Startup Stakeholders
Investors + Lenders/Funders
Academic & Research Community
Corporate leaders & Strategic Partners
Agenda
Wednesday, September 30
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Keynote: The State of the Blue Economy in Maine: Perspectives on the Balance Between Heritage and Emerging Industries
Plenary Panel: What Maine can Learn from Global Ocean Clusters
Founder Flash Talks: In this dynamic session, a curated lineup of blue economy founders will take the stage to pitch their businesses, breakthrough technologies, and vision for the future.
Concurrent Sessions: In-depth breakout discussions with industry experts as well as panel discussions focused on
Workforce Development: What workforce does Maine’s blue economy need, where are the gaps, and how do we build stronger pathways into these careers? These sessions explore current training models, skills needs, barriers to entry and retention, and practical strategies for strengthening education-industry partnerships across Maine’s blue economy.
Research & Innovation: Where is the blue economy growing, is research keeping pace, and how do we move it to market? These sessions explore sector trends, research gaps, and practical strategies for building stronger academia-industry pipelines in Maine.
Policy & Investment: Where is the blue economy growing, is research keeping pace, and how do we move it to market? These sessions explore sector trends, research gaps, and practical strategies for building stronger academia-industry pipelines in Maine.
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Wind down from Day 1 with a sunset tour of Casco Bay. Connect with colleagues, catch up on the day’s discussions, and build new relationships in a relaxed, scenic setting. Refreshments provided.
Thursday, October 1
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Keynote: To Be Announced!
Founder Flash Talks: More exciting innovators take the stage!
Concurrent Sessions: More opportunities for connection and learning around our focus topics
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Cap off an inspiring two days at Maine Blue Economy Week by joining us for the Innovation Showcase & Reception. Hosted at the prestigious Gulf of Maine Research Institute, the showcase bridges the gap between research, commercialization, and creative expression, featuring students, emerging businesses, industry leaders, and local creators displaying their visionary work.
Friday, October 2
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Central Maine:
Tour of UMaine's Blue Economy Innovation EcosystemThis field trip offers a behind-the-scenes look at the University of Maine's research, innovation, and workforce development infrastructure supporting Maine's blue economy. Participants will visit the Sustainable Aquaculture Workforce and Innovation Center, the Advanced Structures and Composites Center, the Climate Change Institute, and UMaine's Buoy Barn to explore advances in sustainable seafood production, ocean observing, climate science, and marine technology. The tour highlights how interdisciplinary research, workforce training, and industry partnerships are driving innovation across Maine's marine and coastal sectors.
Midcoast:
Tour of Algae & Aquaculture Focused Facilities: by Land & BoatThis field trip includes a visit to Phytosmart, the only heterotrophic micro algae commercial producer in Maine, lunch and a tour of the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences campus in beautiful East Boothbay, followed by a 30min ride aboard the R/V Bowditch (Bigelow’s 48-foot research vessel) to reach the Darling Marine Center and return to Bigelow to hop back on the bus.
Southern Maine:
Blue Economy Builders: Marine Entrepreneurship in Southern MaineThis tour bridges the gap between academic research and commercialization opportunities driving the region’s sustainable blue economy. We will showcase the vibrant marine entrepreneurship ecosystem along the southern Maine coast, highlighting innovative aquaculture and research initiatives at the University of New England (UNE). Attendees will hear from Blue Economy founders, UNE researchers and students involved in marine
Entrepreneurship, and participants in Roux Institute’s ClimateTech Incubator. We will explore active sea farms and research buoy sites by boat at Ram Island, and conclude with a student-led production demonstration of the SeaMade kelp nutrition bars at the UNE Teaching Kitchen.
Presented with Support From
Registration
Interested in joining us as an Exhibitor, Flash Talk Presenter, or with a research Poster? Please apply to participate prior to registering for the event. Details below!
Apply to Participate
Exhibitor
Space is limited. Please complete this short application form to help us learn more about your organization and confirm your exhibitor placement before you register for the conference.
We offer two exhibitor options for this year’s conference:
Startup Table — $235: Exhibiting on 10/1 at Innovation Showcase at Gulf of Maine Research Institute
Includes one 6' table and one conference ticket.
Ideal for early-stage companies showcasing innovations or enabling technologies in the blue economy.
Ecosystem Builder Table — $335: Exhibiting on 9/1 & 10/1 at Conference at Holiday Inn
Includes one 6' table and one conference ticket.
Ideal for business development programs, Non-profits, universities or blue economy companies that want a larger display space to engage with attendees.
Application Deadline: August 7, 2026
Decisions Announced: August 21, 2026
Start-up & Translational Research Flash Talk
This is a prime opportunity to promote your business or commercialization-ready research, connect with leading investors and ecosystem partners, and highlight how your venture is advancing the blue economy in Maine and beyond.
This flash talk opportunity is open to startup founders building solutions in or adjacent to the blue economy, as well as researchers with technologies, products, processes, or applied solutions that are ready to be explored as a business or spun out toward commercialization. Each selected presenter will give a 5-minute pitch during one of two conference days, September 30 or October 1, in person in Portland, Maine.
We will prioritize companies currently fundraising or preparing to raise, as well as research teams that have a clear market opportunity and are seeking industry partners, commercialization support, or investment to move toward business formation.
The Steering Committee will review all applications and notify selected presenters by the end of August. Selected applicants will receive a discounted registration ticket for the conference.
Application Deadline: August 7, 2026
Decisions Announced: August 21, 2026
Student Poster
This opportunity is strictly for students focused on topics related to marine and coastal research or innovation (both foundational and applied) within Maine's Blue Economy (e.g., aquaculture, fisheries, marine biotechnology, coastal resilience, coastal and marine engineering, tourism).
$10 Fee to Participate
Includes easel
Please limit your abstract to 250 words. Maximum poster size: 4 ft x 3 ft (landscape). Space for poster presentations is limited.
Application Deadline: September 10, 2026
Decisions Announced: September 18, 2026
Blue Fair at Innovation Showcase
The Innovation Showcase hosted October 1 at GMRI will feature a juried selection of Maine artists and makers whose work reflects Maine’s marine and coastal environment, economy, heritage, and communities. The event will also include a poetry reading, outdoor music or open mic programming, including entries from “Words on Water”, creating an accessible and engaging space for the public to connect with Maine’s blue economy through both innovation and creative expression.
An exhibitor fee, which will include use of a table, will be charged.
Our call for artists will be released in the coming weeks so check back for more details!
Event Locations & Accommodations
Event locations
Conference, 9/30 & 10/1
Holiday Inn Portland - by the Bay
88 Spring St. Portland, Maine 04101
(207) 775-2311
www.innbythebay.com
Innovation Showcase 10/1
Gulf of Maine Research Institute
350 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101
Overnight Accommodations
Holiday Inn by the Bay
A limited MBEW room block is available at the conference venue! Book in prior August, 29, 2026 for this special group rate.