The Tampa Bay Wave, a startup accelerator, in Tampa, has been awarded a $250,000 grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

In partnership with the University of South Florida and the St. Petersburg Innovation District, the Wave will use the funds to create the BlueTech|X Accelerator.

This program will be designed to support entrepreneurs with technology development, capability demonstration, market introduction and investment acquisition, with a focus on Tampa Bay and Florida’s Gulf Coast.

“As a lifelong resident of Florida, I am deeply committed to preserving our region’s invaluable coastlines and beaches. This generous NOAA grant allows us to expand our decade-long collaboration with USF, launching an innovative accelerator focused on ocean-based climate resilience,” said Linda Olson, chief executive officer of Tampa Bay Wave. “The BlueTech|X Accelerator is not just a step towards safeguarding our natural resources but also a move to bolster Tampa Bay’s innovation ecosystem, creating high-value tech jobs in the process.”

The NOAA grant is a part of “Catching the Blue Wave: Accelerating America’s Ocean Economy,” an initiative under the organization’s 2023 Ocean-Based Climate Resilience Accelerators funding program.

This initiative is part of a national effort by NOAA, which has distributed 16 grants totaling $3.9 million throughout the United States.