Inaugural Cohort of Seaworthy’s $14M NOAA Ocean Enterprise Accelerators partnership, The Continuum
Miami, FL – August 11, 2025 – Seaworthy Collective, a Miami-based 501c3 non-profit that supports current and aspiring entrepreneurs driving innovation for ocean impact (AKA BlueTech), announces the launch of its sixth cohort of startups and founders in its revamped flagship program, The Ocean Enterprise Studio and Incubator, powered by The Continuum.
Seaworthy is supporting seven pioneering ocean startups, including one startup to be co-created, that are building solutions to provide infrastructure and capacity for ocean observation, measurement, and forecasting or deliver operational ocean information products and services. They have been selected from a highly competitive nationwide pool of startups and founders, with less than 10% of applicants accepted into the program.
Startups are able to participate on full scholarships (no equity or fees) as a result of Seaworthy’s $14M National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Ocean Enterprise Accelerators partnership, The Continuum.
“We are thrilled to see the launch of Seaworthy Collective’s first cohort under our partnership with NOAA and the Continuum,” said Zack Baize, Program Manager of NOAA’s Ocean Enterprise Initiative. “We are excited and optimistic about the innovation and opportunities that will arise from this program and the new ventures that Seaworthy Collective will be supporting as they build the next generation of blue economy businesses.”
“As a co-lead of The Continuum, Seaworthy Collective takes great pride in not only supporting our sixth cohort of changemaking startups, but also building a new standard for collaborative incubation and acceleration in ocean innovation. We’re excited for startups to tap into value across each of our partners, and to demonstrate what’s possible for our community’s future with unprecedented access to multiple networks and ecosystems all in one program. This is also a milestone moment for Seaworthy as we achieve our founding 5-year vision, having supported 100 founders across 50 startups and 6 cohorts, who have raised over $25 million to date!” said Daniel Kleinman, Seaworthy Collective’s Founder & CEO.
The seven startups selected to be part of the Fall 2025 Ocean Enterprise Studio & Incubator are:
- Coral Collective (Waianae, HI) – Founded by Annalee Herrera – Coral Collective is an AI-powered platform that turns community-driven coral reef monitoring into scalable, actionable insights. By combining citizen science with photo and data analysis, it streamlines reef health tracking and empowers local conservation with real-time, tech-enabled tools.
- DOLGO (Tampa, FL) – Founded by Nithesh “Waz” Wazenn – DOLGO is building the experience infrastructure for field-based troubleshooting expertise, transforming the individual tacit knowledge of engineers and technicians into institutional knowledge.
- Endur Inc. (West Palm Beach, FL) – Founded by Roberto Lama – Endur Inc. provides a next-generation ocean intelligence platform, initially focused on transforming the marine permitting process by integrating real-time data, predictive analytics, and compliance automation to help marine restoration industries streamline approvals and reduce delays.
- Kelp Cover (Honolulu, HI) – Founded by Allison Rowe – Kelp Cover is an AI-enabled finance platform for ocean farmers, starting with affordable parametric insurance backed by blue nature credits.
- SkyWind Solutions (Boca Raton, FL) – Co-founded by Bonnie Schneider – SkyWind Solutions provides AI-powered, hyperlocal forecasts for total coastal water levels, addressing sea level rise impacts and bridging gaps between conventional tidal gauges. A separate model is in development to forecast red tide conditions with high spatial and temporal resolution.
- Vital Ocean (Portland, OR) – Co-founded by Joi Danielson, Vincent Kneefel, Luke Dallafior, Vlad Shifrin, & Madhu Reddiboina – At Vital Ocean harnesses the power of AI and emerging technologies to bring clarity to ocean complexity and unlock bold new possibilities for ocean recovery and resilience.
- Co-created startup to be announced at Seaworthy’s Fall Startup Showcase – Co-founded by Sandra Fogg – Sandy is an aspiring founder and ocean innovator driven by curiosity, creativity, and a deep-rooted love for the sea. With experience ranging from hands-on research in the lab and field to applying science in statewide and international conservation efforts, she has worked across diverse disciplines including marine ecology, fisheries, aquaculture, marine conservation, and coastal resilience.
“The sheer volume of strong applications for Cohort 6 was a testament to the talent in the ocean innovation space, and it made for a very difficult selection process. We are proud of the founders we’ve brought on board, and even more excited that we can now offer them a bigger and better program. Our new partnership, The Continuum, is adding even more unique and complimentary resources and connections, ensuring we continue delivering a truly world-class experience while maintaining the personalized, bespoke nature of Seaworthy,” said Tamara Kahn Zissman, Seaworthy Collective’s Director of Founder Success.
The three-month Ocean Enterprise Studio and Incubator program connects founders to Seaworthy’s global ecosystem, including its community of over 2,500 members, network of 250 mentors and collaborators, as well as grantors and investors with over $2 billion in combined assets. The program offers a blend of human-centered design and bespoke support, with access to a global network and community, in-depth mentorship, business curriculum, grants assistance, and opportunities for visibility.
The program’s culmination is the eagerly anticipated Fall Startup Showcase on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at the Miami Beach Bandshell, which spotlights the cohort’s innovative solutions driving opportunities for impact and investment. This year Seaworthy anticipates its biggest turnout yet and will feature a refreshed format that will be more collaborative and interactive.
Join Seaworthy Collective’s community via its home page at www.seaworthycollective.com to stay updated on details on its upcoming fall slate of events featuring the members of this latest cohort, including the Sea Change Makers Panel Series and Startup Showcase. Sponsorship opportunities are currently available and general inquiries are also welcome via email at Info@SeaworthyCollective.com.