LATEST NEWS
San Diego’s Blue Economy Incubator joins the Port Innovators Network (PIN)
12/02/2025. Expanding Global Maritime Innovation: The Blue Economy Incubator (BEI) of the Port of San Diego becomes the first U.S. port innovation hub to join the Port Innovators Network (PIN), strengthening international collaboration for sustainable maritime solutions.
The Port Innovators Network (PIN) has welcomed the Blue Economy Incubator (BEI) of the Port of San Diego into its expanding international network of port innovation hubs. With this inclusion, BEI becomes the first U.S. port innovation hub to join PIN, which already includes members such as Opentop (Spain), homePORT (Germany), The PIER (Canada), Cubo Maritime & Port (Brazil), SmartportLab (Argentina), and the 2050 National Maritime Innovation Hub (UK).
The Blue Economy Incubator, launched by the Port of San Diego in 2016, is a pioneering initiative that fosters economic growth while protecting ocean health. By eliminating barriers for entrepreneurs, BEI provides essential support, including funding, regulatory assistance, resources, and pilot project implementation.
BEI has successfully launched ten innovative projects and has reinvested in one of its participating startups. Now, as part of PIN, the incubator will expand its global impact, focusing on key areas such as coastal resilience, environmental protection, maritime decarbonization, nature-based solutions, ocean data, and aquaculture.
Welcome BEI to PIN
Antonio Torregrosa, CEO of Fundación Valenciaport
“We welcome the Blue Economy Incubator of the Port of San Diego to PIN. This expansion to the Pacific Coast strengthens our global alliance and reinforces our commitment to maritime innovation and the blue economy. By joining forces, we are accelerating the adoption of cutting-edge technologies that will shape the future of sustainable ports worldwide.”
Danielle Moore, Chair of the Board of Port Commissioners, Port of San Diego
“As a pioneering port, the Port of San Diego is proud to be the first in the United States and the Pacific region to join the Port Innovators Network (PIN), a global community revolutionizing the blue economy through innovation hubs. Our success in this field is rooted in collaboration, and we look forward to working with all PIN members, including our introducer, the Port of Halifax.”
Jason Giffen, Vice President of Planning & Environment, Port of San Diego
“Our inclusion in PIN stems from our interest in expanding opportunities within the blue economy, particularly through our incubator and global partner network. We are excited to contribute our expertise and applied knowledge to PIN, which connects ports worldwide in a shared mission to develop innovative solutions for the maritime sector.”
Mike Davie, Vice President of Operations, Sustainability & Technology, Halifax Port Authority
“We share a common goal with the Blue Economy Incubator: to connect emerging ideas, technologies, and projects with real-world port environments for testing and validation. The Port of San Diego’s commitment to fostering economic growth while protecting ocean ecosystems aligns perfectly with PIN’s mission to exchange knowledge and best practices to enhance the maritime sector and global supply chain.”
About Port Innovators Network (PIN)
The Port Innovators Network (PIN) is a global alliance of port innovation hubs dedicated to advancing technological adoption in the maritime industry. PIN connects startups, entrepreneurs, businesses, researchers, universities, and investors to share ideas, project results, innovation experiences, methodologies, and best practices.
With the addition of BEI, PIN continues to strengthen its international network of forward-thinking ports, fostering collaboration to address the maritime sector’s most pressing challenges.
