"The future of biotech is blue and will launch in Maine,” said Beth Orcutt, Bigelow VP for Research. Pictured: an aerial view of Bigelow Laboratory facilities in Boothbay, Maine.
Photo: Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences
Maine's Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences has launched a new accelerator programme designed to help scientists and entrepreneurs turn marine biotechnology ideas into viable businesses.
The Maine Blue Biotech Studio is a two-week, equity-free initiative run in partnership with blue economy venture development firm Hatch Blue, supported by seed funding from the Maine Technology Institute (MTI).
The programme is described as the first of its kind to be organised in the United States, and forms part of a broader effort by Bigelow, Hatch Blue, and Ocean House Consulting to create a "Blue Biotech Innovation Ecosystem" that the partners say will establish Maine as a national hub for ocean-based biotechnology.
“This initiative is helping translate the cutting-edge research already happening here into real-world solutions and market-ready products, supported by a skilled, Maine-based workforce,” said Beth Orcutt, vice president for research at Bigelow Laboratory, via a news release.
The studio will be hosted at Bigelow’s facilities in the coastal town of Boothbay, Lincoln County, giving participants access to research infrastructure, mentorship, and investor exposure through the Blue Biotech Investor Summit in Portland. After the in-person phase, teams will receive nine months of virtual mentorship from Hatch Blue to refine business models and prepare for investment.
According to MTI president Brian Whitney, the project will help Maine “become the nation’s leading hub for marine biotechnology innovation by leveraging our state’s unparalleled competitive advantages.”
A regional assessment by Bigelow and its partners found more than 1,000 organisations in New England already linked to marine biotechnology, with Maine home to the largest share.
According to the Bigelow report, blue biotechnology is considered one of the fastest-growing areas of the global bioeconomy. Industry projections suggest it could exceed USD 10 billion (EUR 9.2 billion) in value by 2027, according to figures quoted by the partners.
In particular, the report highlights opportunities in upcycling aquaculture by-products, expanding seaweed farming, and discovering new compounds from algae.
This latest initiative from Bigelow builds on previous projects, including the Maine Algal Research Infrastructure and Accelerator (MARIA), which was launched last year with funding from the US National Science Foundation to translate algae-based research into commercial applications. It will also complement state-level initiatives such as the newly established Maine Life Sciences Center and the I-Corps training cohort led by the University of Maine and the Roux Institute, the organisation said.
”We believe Maine can play a major role in the blue economy in the North Atlantic, attract international interest, investment capital and entrepreneurs, and create jobs and economic impact,” said Tim Agnew, general partner at Bold Ocean Ventures, a blue economy growth firm.
“The Maine Blue Biotech innovation ecosystem project is both an important effort to support emerging entrepreneurs and a signal to the blue economy community generally that Maine is on the move,” he added.
Applications for the Maine Blue Biotech Studio are open until 23 January 2026. Prospective applicants for the Maine Blue Biotech Studio can find more information on the Hatch Blue website.
