by tracy | Oct 27, 2026 | News
(New Bedford, MA) – The New Bedford Ocean Cluster (NBOC) announced that it is awarding $100,000 in scholarships across five marine technology startups for testing and validation projects in and around the Port of New Bedford.
NBOC is a non-profit organization created to accelerate and expand New Bedford’s blue economy by connecting the maritime ecosystem to global innovation, capital, and commercial networks that strengthen business competitiveness and drive sustainable economic growth. NBOC organizes its work across four regionally significant industries: Aquaculture, Commercial Fishing & Seafood Processing, Offshore Renewable Energy, and Marine Innovation and Technology.
The Scholarships were made possible through a grant to NBOC from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center’s Ocean Innovation Network and are intended to derisk and accelerate the commercialization of ocean technologies by supporting testing and demonstration activities.
NBOC’s first round of scholarship awards is supporting companies developing marine technology solutions that have applications in Aquaculture, Commercial Fishing, and Offshore Renewable Energy:
- NS2: Nucleic Sensing Systems (NS2) builds the NS2 Biosensor, an autonomous instrument that tests water on site and in near real time, detecting pathogens, harmful algal blooms, and invasive species from the genetic traces organisms leave in the water. With its scholarship, NS2 will deploy the Biosensor in local oyster-growing waters to give shellfish growers and regulators faster, more reliable water quality data.
- EvoNatura: EvoNatura develops a microbial additive that gives everyday plastic packaging a built-in digestive system. Dormant microbes embedded during manufacturing wake up if a product leaks into soil or water and digest the plastic into harmless organic matter, leaving zero microplastics behind, and manufacturers can use the additive without buying new equipment. With its scholarship, EvoNatura will test its marine-biodegradable plastic to help commercial fishermen and other ocean users reduce plastic pollution.
- LiftLabs: LiftLabs, Inc. builds EchoLift, an acoustically triggered ropeless fishing system that helps commercial fishermen stay on the water while protecting endangered right whales. With its scholarship, LiftLabs will work with New Bedford lobstermen, trap builders, and machine shops to develop and test four new inshore and offshore EchoLift configurations and two on-boat docking stations, with the goal of production-ready designs.
- Manifoldz dba Ithaca Clean Energy: Manifoldz (DBA Ithaca Clean Energy) is a New Bedford-based startup leading the digital transformation of the maritime sector. Its product, VesselOps, is a sensor-integrated fleet management system for commercial fishing fleets, offshore construction vessels, and ports that replaces paper records and spreadsheets with a single source of truth for compliance, documentation, and maintenance. With its scholarship, Manifoldz will test and certify VesselOps, using LoRaWAN-connected sensors to help fleet managers catch issues before they become incidents.
- Triton Anchor: Triton Anchor is a developer of innovative subsea technologies, best known for its helical pile anchoring systems that operate in shallow to ultra-deep water across a wide range of applications. With its scholarship, Triton will conduct an underwater demonstration of its latest anchor installation technology in New Bedford, further de-risking the system and accelerating market adoption to enable sustainable growth in floating renewables.
“Each of these companies is working on problems of critical importance to Massachusetts residents and businesses; from the safety of the shellfish we eat, to the efficiency and safety of our mariners, to lowering the cost of renewable energy installation. Funding for test deployments advances these technologies toward commercialization, puts dollars in the hands of local businesses, and catalyzes new partnerships between coastal stakeholders.” – Bruce Carlisle, Managing Director Offshore Wind, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center
“Building on centuries of maritime leadership, New Bedford is uniquely positioned to bridge ocean research and real-world application. Our full service, working waterfront and proximity to worldleading research institutions create an environment where ocean technologies can be developed, tested, deployed, and commercialized alongside the industries they are built to serve. We are excited for the opportunity to host these impressive startups in our port and thank our partner, MassCEC for the investment.” – Jennifer Downing, Executive Director, New Bedford Ocean Cluster.
“For more than two hundred years New Bedford has been a hub of maritime innovation. Thanks to the efforts of the NBOC and the MassCEC, five new startups are now poised to expand on that legacy and create new opportunities for our city, its residents, and the local economy. I look forward to seeing them grow and flourish in the years ahead.” – Jon Mitchell, Mayor of New Bedford.”
NBOC is a partner of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center’s Ocean Innovation Network and is administering scholarships on behalf of the state. The Ocean Innovation Network was created to expand the Commonwealth’s network of test sites for OceanTech solutions and strengthen the programs and services that accelerate tech development.
For more information about the NBOC and future scholarship opportunities, contact Nora McCarthy, Business Engagement & Navigator Services Lead (nora.mccarthy@nboc.org).
by tracy | Jul 7, 2026 | News
Attention Marine Tech Startups!
We are excited to announce a Request for Proposals (RFP) from marine technology startups (TRL 4-9) that would benefit from scholarship funding to support product validation and testing activities in and around the Port of New Bedford.
The scholarships are intended to reduce barriers to commercialization by helping startups to:
- de-risk technologies
- demonstrate solutions
- accelerate advancement toward market readiness
If you are working to advance innovative solutions to support the aquaculture, commercial fishing, seafood processing, or offshore renewable energy industries, we encourage you to apply. Learn more and view the full RFP Scholarship funding has been made possible through the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center’s Ocean Innovation Network.
by NBOC | Aug 14, 2025 | Blog, News
The New Bedford Ocean Cluster (NBOC) is seeking proposals from qualified research organizations or consulting firms to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study for a proposed Seafood Incubator Facility in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Building on New Bedford’s position as the nation’s leading commercial fishing port and the growing opportunities within aquaculture and seafood innovation, the study will evaluate the market demand, infrastructure requirements, operational models, financial feasibility, and long-term sustainability of a seafood incubator. The project will assess how a shared-use facility could support seafood entrepreneurs, commercial fishermen, aquaculture producers, processors, researchers, and food businesses through access to certified processing space, specialized equipment, technical assistance, and business development services.
Lean more. Download the RFP.
by Jennifer Downing | Mar 20, 2024 | Blog, Innovation & Technology, News
NBOC Hosts Ecosystem Tour for Blue Tech Companies in New Bedford
In late February, the NBOC attended the Blue Innovation Symposium in Newport, Rhode Island. The BIS is the region’s premier blue technology event and truly keeps with its mantra of “by the industry, for the industry.” This year’s event presented a diverse range of topics and attracted 300 attendees, 100 speakers, and 40 exhibitors. The NBOC was among one of them and we certainly valued our time on the show floor meeting with so many ocean technology start-ups and SMEs advancing products and services to support our pillar industries.
Immediately following the conference, the NBOC hosted an Ecosystem Tour in New Bedford for 30 conference attendees, which included mostly blue technology companies. A good portion of those companies were part of a Canadian delegation organized by the Consulate General of Canada in Boston. During the tour, attendees heard presentations from NBOC Executive Director, Jennifer Downing; New Bedford Port Authority Executive Director, Gordon Carr; and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center’s Managing Director for Offshore Wind, Bruce Carlisle. They also participated in a Port Tour and visited New Bedford Research and Robotics and UMass Dartmouth’s School for Marine Science & Technology.
According to Jennifer Downing, “Attending the Blue Innovation Symposium and having the opportunity to host post conference tours in New Bedford for attendees over the last two years has helped the NBOC expand its blue tech network and develop several business connections that could have big impacts for New Bedford’s ocean economy. Bravo to Toby Stapleton and his team at the Blue Venture Forum for putting on another stellar event. We are pleased to participate and support it.”
by NBOC | Nov 8, 2023 | Blog, News
Connecting With Purpose: New Bedford Ocean Cluster Introduces A Logo Redesign Aligned With Its Mission
NEW BEDFORD, MA, November 8, 2023 — The New Bedford Ocean Cluster (NBOC) announces the launch of our new logo, marking a significant moment in our ongoing organizational development. The newly unveiled logo reflects the organization’s goal to establish New Bedford, Massachusetts, and the surrounding region as the foremost ocean economy on the East Coast.
The motivation behind the logo redesign stems from a comprehensive marketing and communications planning process the NBOC has undertaken. While the NBOC just launched in late 2021, our journey began back in 2017 when we signed a partnership agreement with the Iceland Ocean Cluster, making us part of the global ocean cluster network. The Iceland Ocean Cluster and other cluster organizations worldwide are making their fisheries and ports more profitable and sustainable through the clustering concept. The NBOC’s Founders knew that New Bedford was fertile ground to do the same, and that vision drove the organization to where it is today.
In the words of the NBOC’s Executive Director Jennifer Downing, “Until now, we’ve shared a logo with the Iceland Ocean Cluster. Iceland has been a huge pioneer to the ocean cluster movement, so it has made a lot of sense to visually align with their brand. We continue to gain a lot of value from being a part of the network, and this will not change. However, the Port of New Bedford and our maritime economy is unique. We’ve also come a long way as an organization in just two years. It is time for the NBOC to have a distinct brand identity that captures our mission, values, and four pillars while also honoring the global ocean cluster network we proudly are part of.”
The New Bedford Ocean Cluster is a non-profit marine industry association that facilitates connections between maritime companies in greater New Bedford and strengthening their markets across the world. Our efforts are strategically focused on four interrelated marine industry pillars: Aquaculture, Commercial Fishing & Processing, Innovation & Technology, and Offshore Renewable Energy. According to Downing, “We have four industry pillars at the NBOC; while we want to see each prosper, we also seek to facilitate their intersection whenever possible. The convergence of industries will create a true ocean economy in the Port of New Bedford. It’s ambitious but incredibly exciting.”
The new logo now encapsulates these aspects, offering a holistic representation of the organization. This redesign symbolizes the New Bedford Ocean Cluster’s dedication to our mission, its uniqueness in the marine industry, and our commitment to growth and development.
“The ocean has always been a source of opportunity for the people who have come to New Bedford to build our city while building better lives for themselves,” said NBOC Board President John Bullard. “The Ocean Cluster is showing how related sectors of our ocean economy can thrive together through mutual respect and understanding.”
The New Bedford Ocean Cluster (NBOC) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization created to leverage New Bedford’s strategic coastal position and extensive ocean economy and knowledge base to attract investment, support the formation and growth of maritime businesses, and foster initiatives that can create economic and community impact from the sustainable use of ocean resources. The NBOC works collaboratively with the private sector, public sector, and academic institutions to establish New Bedford and the region as a leading ocean economy through the advancement of Aquaculture, Commercial Fishing & Processing, Innovation & Technology, and Offshore Renewable Energy.
Learn more about the New Bedford Ocean Cluster at www.nboc.org/ or connect on LinkedIn and Facebook.
by NBOC | Oct 19, 2023 | Blog, Events, News
New Bedford Ocean Cluster
2023 Annual Meeting
The NBOC held its first second Annual Meeting on January 25th. About 100 people gathered at the New Bedford Whaling Museum for an update on the organization work and accomplishments over the course of 2023. Special remarks were provided by New Bedford Mayor, Jon Mitchell, members of the NBOC Board of Directors, and NBOC Executive Director, Jennifer Downing.
Speakers emphasized the NBOC’s significant progress in continuing to raise the organization’s profile on global stages, launching new industry events like the New Bedford Offshore Wind Conference held in October 2023, establishing valuable industry interest groups like its Fisheries Advisory Committee, the expansion of key staff, and the launch of new collaborative, high impact projects like the Southeastern New England Ocean Tech Hub. The meeting was followed by a lively reception in the Museum’s Jacobs Family Gallery. Check out photos from the meeting below!
