BT Surge is a global virtual accelerator connecting high-potential blue economy startups with the partners, expertise, and opportunities needed to scale real-world impact. Supporting engineering- and science-led ventures at TRL 4–7, the program accelerates commercialization, market access, and international growth across the ocean, freshwater, and coastal sectors.
Applications opening soon.
Supported by
We love LA (and our favorite neighborhood San Pedro), however, it's not a requirement for you to move here to be in this program.
You must attend 70% of the weekly workshops and meetings with mentors unless agreed upon in writing.
The program concentrates on three key aspects of commercialization: building capability, capacity, and intellectual capital. Some additional topics include: business model, market fit, customer discovery, value proposition, and go-to-market strategy.
During the 10-week program, teams will engage in weekly 90 minute curriculum calls, a 60 minute 1:1 with their assigned mentor, access to industry advisors, and be responsible for working towards specific deliverables. We understand founders are very busy. Expect to spend 3-5 hours a week.
Braid Theory does not provide direct seed funding.
No, our Accelerator and Incubator programs are free and equity free.
Supported by
The LA Blue Accelerator supports engineering and science led startups working on solutions (TRL 4-7) across all areas of the blue economy including ocean, fresh water and coastal regions, with an interest in landing in Southern California.
Applications open January 2027.
Supported by
For LA Blue, you must have an intent to build and grow your business in Los Angeles. Braid Theory offers coworking space at Altasea at the Port of Los Angeles for all teams.
The program concentrates on three key aspects of commercialization: building capability, capacity, and intellectual capital. Some additional topics include: business model, market fit, customer discovery, value proposition, and go-to-market strategy.
During the 10-week program, teams will engage in weekly 90 minute curriculum calls, a 60 minute 1:1 with their assigned mentor, access to industry advisors, and be responsible for working towards specific deliverables. We understand founders are very busy. Expect to spend 3-5 hours a week.
Braid Theory does not provide direct seed funding.
No, our Accelerator and Incubator programs are free and equity free.
Supported by
Designed for companies that have successfully completed the LA Blue Accelerator (or equivalent accepted on a case-by-case basis), the Blue Future Incubator offers continued mentorship, expert workshops, networking opportunities, and funding connections. This ongoing program is offered at Braid Theory's co-working space, Braid Space at AltaSea at The Port of Los Angeles. To be eligible for LA Blue, companies must be ready to grow their businesses and create jobs in the City of Los Angeles.
Applications accepted on a rolling basis.
Supported by
We love LA (and our favorite neighborhood San Pedro), however, it's not a requirement for you to move here to be in this program.
The program concentrates on three key aspects of commercialization: building capability, capacity, and intellectual capital. Some additional topics include: business model, market fit, customer discovery, value proposition, and go-to-market strategy.
Braid Theory does not provide direct seed funding.
No, our Accelerator and Incubator programs are free and equity free.
Supported by
The Ocean Enterprise Accelerator supports ocean data and technology companies advancing solutions across the blue economy. This NOAA-funded program is delivered in partnership with The Continuum, a collaboration of seven entrepreneurial support organizations.
Applications open January 2027.
Supported by
Teams with a U.S. entity are eligible to apply.
Braid Theory does not provide direct seed funding.
We love LA (and our favorite neighborhood San Pedro), however, it's not a requirement for you to move here to be in this program.
You must attend 70% of the weekly workshops and meetings with mentors unless agreed upon in writing.
The program concentrates on three key aspects of commercialization: building capability, capacity, and intellectual capital. Some additional topics include: business model, market fit, customer discovery, value proposition, and go-to-market strategy.
During the 10-week program, teams will engage in weekly 90 minute curriculum calls, a 60 minute 1:1 with their assigned mentor, access to industry advisors, and be responsible for working towards specific deliverables. We understand founders are very busy. Expect to spend 3-5 hours a week.
No, our Accelerator and Incubator programs are free and equity free.
Supported by
This advanced program combines 1:1 mentoring with cohort-based programming designed to prepare founders for the Technology Development and Commercialization (TDC) award process. Individual mentoring focuses on refining business models, while workshops support pilot development, proposal drafting and TDC preparation.
Supported by
During the 4-week program, teams will engage in a 90 minute curriculum call, a 60 minute 1:1 mentor call with their assigned advisor, and be responsible for working towards a specific commercialization strategy aligned with their TDC application.
Braid Theory does not provide direct seed funding.
We love LA (and our favorite neighborhood San Pedro), however, it's not a requirement for you to move here to be in this program.
You must attend 70% of the weekly workshops and meetings with mentors unless agreed upon in writing.
No, our Accelerator and Incubator programs are free and equity free.
Supported by
Braid Theory is now soliciting marine energy and water power companies interested in applying for the DOE TEAMER Commercialization Track. Through TEAMER, we provide targeted commercialization support including market strategy, customer discovery, value proposition refinement, partnership development, investor readiness, and go-to-market planning.
Supported by
We love LA (and our favorite neighborhood San Pedro), however, it's not a requirement for you to move here to be in this program.
Supported by
Braid Theory works with public and private stakeholders to continuously assess industry needs to bring forth problem lists and pilot project opportunities. For Braid Theory portfolio companies, Springboard offers customized support to identify projects, build multi-stakeholder coalitions, prepare proposals, and deploy projects.
Applications accepted on a rolling basis.
Funded by
We love LA (and our favorite neighborhood San Pedro), however, it's not a requirement for you to move here to be in this program.
Funded by
We collaborate with ambitious founders, forward-thinking industry leaders, and mission-aligned investors to accelerate technologies from concept to real-world deployment. Whether you’re building, scaling, or backing innovation, Braid Theory provides the platform, partnerships, and pathways to drive meaningful growth and impact.
