Blue Economy Innovation Program

Blue Economy Innovation Program is sponsored by North Carolina State University. Supports students, faculty, and partners in advancing ocean and coastal industries while protecting marine ecosystems through education, research, and entrepreneurship.

Blue Economy Innovation Program | Climate and Sustainability Academy Blue Economy Innovation Program Innovating sustainable ocean and coastal solutions through education, research and entrepreneurship. Promoting the Blue Economy Through Innovation The Blue Economy Innovation Program (BEIP) connects NC State students, faculty and partners to advance ocean and coastal industries while protecting marine ecosystems.

Through hands-on learning, wave-making research, industry partnerships and interdisciplinary collaboration, BEIP prepares the next generation of leaders in maritime and coastal innovation. What is the Blue Economy? The blue economy comprises economic activity related to the ocean, seascapes, coastlines, intertidal regions, and connected coastal watersheds.

According to the World Bank (2017), the blue economy is the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs, while preserving the health of ocean ecosystems. NC State is rapidly becoming poised to be a leader in fueling resilient and sustainable growth in next-generation maritime technologies (bluetech) and economies.

Learn about “Oceans of Opportunity” with Dr. Osburn A Growing Program at NC State The Blue Economy Innovation Program launched in 2020 as a collaborative working group designed to spark student innovation and entrepreneurship.

Since then, BEIP has expanded across campus and beyond: 2023: Formalized within the Coastal Resilience and Sustainability Initiative (CRSI) under Director Dr. Chris Osburn 2024: Received NC State Sustainability Council’s Innovation and Impact Award 2025: Integrated into the Climate and Sustainability Academy to expand interdisciplinary collaboration and applied climate solutions Join the ASABE Bioprocess Startup Student Competition!

This event helps students cultivate entrepreneurial skills and translate academic innovation into real-world impact. Register by April 15, 2026 BEIP advances the blue economy through three core program areas that combine classroom learning, real-world problem solving and professional networking. Annual Blue Economy Workshop Where students tackle real ocean and coastal challenges.

The annual Creating Solutions for the Global Blue Economy workshop brings together students, entrepreneurs and industry experts for hands-on innovation experiences. Students collaborate across disciplines to explore real-world challenges while connecting with startup incubators and industry mentors. With generous support from NC State and external sponsors, the workshop remains free to undergraduate and graduate students.

The fifth annual workshop, “Creating Solutions for the Global Blue Economy” (BEW25), concluded in October 2025 in Morehead City, NC, on the campus of Carteret Community College and NC State’s Center for Marine Sciences and Technology (CMAST). There, more than 70 students, faculty and industry experts worked to develop sustainable solutions for the coast that blended science and creativity.

Blue Economy Workshop (BEW) Reports The sixth annual blue economy workshop is coming Fall 2026: “Charting the Future: Innovation for Carteret County’s Coastal Economy. ” Join the email list for updates Interdisciplinary Innovation Course MEA 439/539: Interdisciplinary Innovation in the Blue Economy is offered each fall through the Department of Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences.

No prerequisites required Available to undergraduate and graduate students Complements the annual workshop with project-based learning Students work across disciplines to develop solutions to complex ocean and coastal challenges. Mentorship and Industry Connections BEIP connects students with research, innovation and workforce opportunities through partnerships across NC State and the broader coastal innovation ecosystem.

We are grateful for the partners who make this work possible: Department of Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences Center for Environmental Economics and Policy Center for Geospatial Analytics Innovation and Entrepreneurship KIETS Climate Leaders Program Center for Marine Science and Technology (CMAST) NC’s Renewable Ocean Energy Program Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center Carteret Community College UNC-Wilmington’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship UNC-Chapel Hill’s Institute of the Environment Coastal Studies Institute BEIP is proud to highlight recent successes of students who have been part of the program and are working towards innovations for a more sustainable blue economy!

Reid Barnett – Founder of Ceretune , LLC, has won the Collegiate Competition prize at OceanExchange in October 2024 and the Pitch Prize at EarthX in March 2025 Nathan Daughtry – Founder of WaveSafe Maritime Solutions was a recipient of the 2025 NC State Innovation and Entrepreneurship Force Multiplier Award Dylan Gretok – Founder of Seagull Sustainability developed alternative plastics based on seaweed.

Dylan was recently accepted into the Mercedes-Benz beVisioneers fellow program. Kelly Fawcett and Libby Ivory – both were recipients of the Stardust Startups NC Coastal Idea Challenge! Kelly’s innovation was “Little Free Beach Box” and Libby’s was “Albatross Aerobotics” Join BEIP email list for updates!

BEIP co-authored a comprehensive overview of the blue economy in North Carolina. Sustainability Award for Innovation and Impact BEIP honored with NC State Sustainability Award. Check out this video featuring BEIP and Social Innovation Fellows from Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

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