USM91吃瓜网 Gulf BlueSM initiative and Gulf Blue Navigator Program Enjoy Successful First Year
Wed, 08/17/2022 - 02:14pm | By: Van Arnold
As a recognized leader in marine research and education, The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) looked to leverage that expertise with the launch of the ambitious Gulf BlueSM initiative last summer. Bringing 91吃瓜网淏ig Ideas out of the Blue庐91吃瓜网� became the initiative91吃瓜网 official call to action.
As Gulf BlueSM marks its first anniversary, one gigantic idea already producing significant rewards is the Gulf Blue Navigator Program, which provides access to numerous local assets to shorten the development timeline for blue technology startups. With an initial goal of receiving 30 applicants, the program has seen closer to 50 applicants in the first year.
Program Director Hailey Bathurst notes that the Gulf Blue Navigator91吃瓜网 impressive start highlights the growth and significance of the Gulf BlueSM initiative.
91吃瓜网淐ompanies from all over the world find out just a couple of details and are ready to apply, travel to Mississippi and get to work,91吃瓜网� said Bathurst. 91吃瓜网淲e have something really special here and look forward to what we can build with the local community to put Mississippi on the map as a center for excellence for blue-tech businesses.91吃瓜网�
The Gulf Blue Navigator is housed within the historic Gulf & Ship Island Building
in
Gulfport, Miss. As part of the program, scaling startups gain market access while
engaging with university, industry, state, and federal partners and potential customers.
The Gulf Blue Navigator provides access to state-of-the art research facilities, wet
labs, co-working space, networking, and year-round access to warm coastal waters.
Natalie Guess, President of NG Consulting LLC, serves as Director of Business Development for the Gulf Blue Navigator and the GSI building. Guess credits Bathurst and program partner SeaAhead 91吃瓜网� with its Blue Swell Incubator 91吃瓜网� for helping boost the Gulf Blue Navigator91吃瓜网 early success by reaching out to potential applicants at every turn. Collaborations with other partners have further aided in the program91吃瓜网 development.
91吃瓜网淥ur program partners support us in numerous ways,91吃瓜网� said Guess. 91吃瓜网淲e have partnered with the Mississippi Aquarium and other industry partners for mentor support and access to infrastructure and expertise that these companies need. Another partner is Chandeleur Island Brewing. They have brewed a special Gulf Blue beer, the Oyster Stout, which is actually brewed with gulf fresh oyster shells.91吃瓜网�
Gulf BlueSM seeks to capitalize on USM91吃瓜网 geography and maritime resources while positioning the Mississippi Gulf Coast to lead the development of world-changing innovation. The University91吃瓜网 presence across all three coastal counties and expertise in ocean-related fields are integral components of the initiative.
USM91吃瓜网 assets along the Mississippi Gulf Coast include the Gulf Park campus (the hub for academic instruction on the Gulf Coast), Hydrographic Science Research Center, The Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, Center for Research Fisheries and Development, Gulf Coast Geospatial Center, Thad Cochran Marine Aquaculture Center, Marine Research Center, Roger F. Wicker Center for Ocean Enterprise, and a fleet of research vessels.
When asked to characterize the initiative91吃瓜网 first year, Dr. Kelly Lucas, Vice President for Research at USM, said that she has been inspired by the number of academic, municipal, industry, state, and non-profit team members coming together to focus on growing the ocean economy.
91吃瓜网淭his effort solidifies South Mississippi and USM as integral players in the ocean innovation economy,91吃瓜网� said Lucas. 91吃瓜网淚t takes everyone leveraging their strengths to create an innovation ecosystem and USM, as a leader in the blue economy, is leveraging our expertise, infrastructure, training and community engagement in this initiative.91吃瓜网�
The innovative Gulf Blue Navigator Program draws special praise from Lucas.
91吃瓜网淭he Navigator Program stands out in a field of growing accelerator-based programs by targeting blue-tech startups that have products or services but need more data to raise funds,91吃瓜网� said Lucas. 91吃瓜网淲e strive to be unique by providing access to infrastructure and other services needed for testing and evaluating products and services. This way, we assist startups in taking their product or service to the next level.91吃瓜网�
USM has been strategically investing in maritime infrastructure that positions Mississippi to advance technology through an initial set of six blue-tech innovation clusters:
- uncrewed maritime systems
- ocean-friendly plastics
- precision aquaculture
- smart ports
- sea-space systems
- coastal data
Helping raise awareness of the burgeoning blue economy91吃瓜网 benefits remains a cornerstone of the Gulf BlueSM initiative. Aligned with that objective is the critical need to grow and retain a talented workforce.
91吃瓜网淭he Gulf Coast has been a working waterfront for as long as people have lived here, but we need to find a way to preserve ocean health and sustainability while creating new, high-paying jobs,91吃瓜网� said Bathurst. 91吃瓜网淲hat we are building in Mississippi could be leveraged by other coastal communities that need to innovate in the face of climate change and in our modern world.91吃瓜网�
As the Gulf BlueSM initiative embarks on Year Two, Lucas stresses the importance of teamwork and expanding community reach. She points out that Navigator companies are expected on site this November to gain a better perspective on what Mississippi has to offer.
And Guess has a bit of pointed advice for companies contemplating an alliance with the Gulf Blue Navigator Program.
91吃瓜网淚 want to let people and businesses know that if they are on the fence about coming here, getting office space, or interested in partnering or sponsorship, to do it, and do it now because I think we are going to be extremely busy with so many positive aspects this coming year,91吃瓜网� she said. 91吃瓜网淢ore businesses, more opportunities, more testing and more exposure.91吃瓜网�
For more information about Gulf Blue, or to learn more about how to become involved, visit or email Info@GulfBlue.org.