New BlueTech|X Cohort Advances Florida's Emerging Ocean Cluster
As coastal communities face rising environmental and economic pressures, the need for scalable ocean innovation has never been greater. Tampa Bay Wave is welcoming the second cohort of its BlueTech|X Accelerator, continuing to build Florida’s emerging ocean cluster and Tampa Bay’s role within it. While the cohort draws founders from across the country, each will spend the program embedded in Tampa Bay, working directly with the region’s research institutions, industry partners and business community, reinforcing Tampa Bay’s role at the center of Florida’s emerging ocean cluster.
The program supports startups developing technologies for coastal communities, maritime industries and the growing Blue Economy, and this year’s cohort was selected with a sharper focus on water in all its dimensions, from protection and conservation to the systems and infrastructure communities and governments rely on every day. Many of the companies are building solutions municipalities and government agencies can put to work directly, helping the public sector do its job better at the ground level.
About the 2026 BlueTech|X Accelerator
Running from Aug. 3 through Sept. 17, the accelerator is delivered in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and is part of The Continuum, a national network focused on accelerating ocean innovation. By connecting founders with researchers, industry leaders, investors and public-sector partners, the program helps bridge the gap between innovation and real-world adoption, at no cost and with no equity taken, consistent with Tampa Bay Wave’s founder-first model.
“The continued growth of the BlueTech|X Accelerator reflects both the importance of the ocean economy and the opportunities for innovation within it,” said Linda Olson, CEO and founder of Tampa Bay Wave. “This cohort brings together founders who are building practical solutions for some of the most important issues facing coastal regions.”
Meet the 2026 BlueTech|X Cohort
1Print – Pompano Beach, FL Founded by Fredrik Wannius, 1Print uses 3D concrete printing to build coastal and land infrastructure such as artificial reefs, seawalls and breakwaters in complex shapes traditional molds cannot achieve. The company’s Chief Sales Officer, Fred Meinke, is based in the Tampa Bay region.
Dreadnot – Seattle, WA Founded by Shawna Ruff, Dreadnot provides real-time seismic and climate monitoring to help community leaders protect coastal and island communities from disaster.
ONA – Madrid, Spain Founded by Nil Diaz, ONA builds the data and intelligence infrastructure that turns fragmented data into a single, verifiable source of truth for the blue economy.
SampleServe – Traverse City, MI Founded by Russell Schindler, SampleServe is the operating system for the environmental services industry, replacing paper-based sampling workflows with digital chain-of-custody, lab integrations and automated regulatory reporting.
SwimSmart – Marquette, MI Founded by Jacob Soter, SwimSmart modernizes beach safety through purpose-built technology solutions.
Tampa Bay Wave launched BlueTech|X in 2025 as part of a broader effort to strengthen the region’s role in the Blue Economy while supporting the commercialization of technologies that advance ocean and coastal sustainability.
“BlueTech|X continues to attract companies tackling real-world challenges across marine and coastal industries,” said Dr. Richard Munassi, managing director of Tampa Bay Wave’s Accelerator Programs. “Through this program, founders gain access to the relationships and resources needed to move their technologies forward and strengthen Florida’s position at the center of the region’s ocean cluster.”
Why Florida’s Ocean Cluster Matters
According to a 2023 report from the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council and Tampa Bay Estuary Program, a healthy Tampa Bay supports more than 207,000 jobs and generates $32.1 billion in annual economic output – underscoring why the region’s growing role in ocean innovation carries real economic weight, not just environmental significance.As the Blue Economy continues to expand, Tampa Bay is strengthening its position as a hub where entrepreneurs, researchers and industry partners come together to create solutions with regional and global impact. Since 2013, Tampa Bay Wave has supported more than 670 tech startups that have raised more than $1.8 billion in capital and created more than 7,300 jobs, driving an estimated $450 million in annual economic impact across the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the BlueTech|X Accelerator? BlueTech|X is a Tampa Bay Wave accelerator program supporting startups building technology for coastal resilience, maritime industries and the ocean economy, delivered in partnership with NOAA and The Continuum.
Who is in the 2026 BlueTech|X cohort? The 2026 cohort includes 1Print, Dreadnot, ONA, SampleServe and SwimSmart, five companies building water-focused technology for coastal communities, municipalities and government agencies.
Does Tampa Bay Wave take equity in BlueTech|X companies? No. Like all Tampa Bay Wave accelerator programs, BlueTech|X is free to founders and takes no equity.
When does the 2026 BlueTech|X program run? The program runs from Aug. 3 through Sept. 17, 2026.
Learn more about the BlueTech|X Accelerator.