In 2025, the Blue Innovation Symposium, one of the premier Blue Economy events in the United States, will be celebrating its 10^th anniversary. Every year, the Blue Innovation Symposium brings together over 400 participants for three days of education, networking, and matchmaking.

Hotel Room Reservations Available at the Wyndham Newport.

Guests can also call the hotel directly at 401-236-2020 and reference Blue Innovation or visit our website www.wyndhamnewportri.com and enter your group code 021025BLU.

2025 AGENDA: Draft (subject to change)

Monday, February 10
9:00AM-5:00PM Optional “Ecosystem” Tours. Including: Quonset Point Corporate Park, Bristol Blue Robotics Laboratory, Saab, Inc., Flux Marine, VATN Systems, and Roger Williams University Sponsor: Commerce RI. Register HERE.

9:00AM Pick Up participants at Wyndham

9:00AM-10:00AM Travel to Quonset Business Park (QBP)

10:00AM-10:30AM Receive informational briefing on QBP

1030AM–12:00AM Bus tour of QBP

12:00AM–1:00PM Travel to Brick Pizzeria Unity Park, 500 Wood Street, Bristol

1:00PM-1:45PM Lunch at Brick Pizzeria 

1:45PM-2:45PM Tour Unity Park (including Flux Marine, VATN Systems, Blue Composites)

2:45PM-3:00PM Travel to Roger Williams University (RWU)

4:00PM-6:30 PM RWU Presentation & Tours

6:30PM Return to Wyndham (attendees are invited to stay for the entire event, transportation to hotel will be provided)

4:00PM-6:30PM Opening Event and Networking Reception @ Roger Williams University School of Law. Admission included, but registration required, please register HERE. Complimentary shuttle transportation provided to and from the Wyndham Newport Hotel, Middletown (details provided to registered participants)

4:00PM-4:50PM Roger Williams University Center for Economic and Environmental Development (CEED) Facilities Tour

5:00PM-5:50PM Keynote Speaker, Dr. Larry Feinberg, RWU Adjunct and Founder, KnipBio

6:00PM-8:00PM Reception including RWU Marine Biology Research Showcase, flash talks by RWU faculty. RWU Research Poster Session, Poster Presentation by Roger Williams University Students and Researchers.

Optional transportation, from and to the Wyndham Newport Hotel, Middletown, is provided.

Tuesday, February 11
10:00AM-10:15AM Opening Remarks

Tobias Stapleton, Blue Venture Forum

10:15AM-11:15AM The Future of Blue Biotech, Panel Discussion 

Blue biotechnology is developing solutions in various fields such as food production, energy, medicine, aquaculture, and the chemical industry. This panel of experts will discuss the current advancements, challenges, and potential in this emerging sector of the blue economy.

Moderator: Koty Sharp, Director, Center for Economic & Environmental Development, Associate Professor, Biology, Marine Biology, & Environmental Science, Roger Williams University

Panelists:

• Christine Bolzan, Executive Director, Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute, Inc.
• Mike Lomas, Senior Research Scientist, Bigelow Labs
• Jonathan Henry, Senior Aquarist Manager Research, Marine Biological Laboratory
• Dilan Jaunky, Founder and CTO, GC Lipid Tech

11:15AM-12:00PM Blue Economy Investing Today, Panel Discussion

There has been significant growth in the sector of blue economy investment.  This panel of expert investors will explore emerging trends, opportunities, and challenges in blue economy investing.  

Moderator: Adam de Sola Pool, Investor

Panelists:

• Steven Fox, Partner, Propeller
• Jon Rotolo, Co-Founder, DTN Ventures
• Beth Orcutt, Director of Research, Bigelow Labs
• Martin Sabarsky, CEO, Cellana, Inc.

12:00PM-1:00PM Lunch

1:00PM-1:45PM Flashtalks-Global BlueTech Innovators and Entrepreneurs

• LeVanta Tech Inc.
• Argoneta
• Blue Sonde Technologies
• Diversican Corporation
• Celerity Craft
• ORPC
• Bluemvt
• Abyss Robotics
• Glas Ocean Electric

1:45PM-2:45PM Undersea Tech Innovation Through Collaboration, a Panel Discussion 

This panel will explore the various means of collaboration that can further undersea technology.  Including:

Primes – collaborating with small companies

Small Business – building the network to succeed

Academia – partnering with industry to advance technology

Department of the Navy Undersea Tech OTA – an enabling process for govt/industry/academia collaboration

International – cross country government collaboration

Moderator: Molly Donohue Magee, CEO, Undersea Technology Innovation Consortium (UTIC)

Panelists:

• Tom Carroll, Program Manager, Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC), Division Newport, Undersea Tech OTA 
• Jason Dahl, Department Chair, Ocean Engineering, University of Rhode Island (URI)
• Trevor Kelly-Bissonnette, Director, International Cooperation, Naval Undersea Warfare Center 
• Brian McKeon, Chief Technology Officer, MIKEL, Inc.
• Joe Ricci, Technical Director, Undersea Systems, Raytheon

2:45PM-3:15PM Break

3:15PM-4:00PM URI and the Future of the Blue Economy

The University of Rhode Island (URI) plays a significant role in supporting the blue economy, leveraging its strengths in areas like marine science and engineering.  This panel will discuss how URI will support critical research, drive innovation, and develop the skilled workforce that will be needed to support a sustainable blue economy in the Ocean State and beyond.

Moderator: Tobias Stapleton, Director, Blue Venture Forum, Inc.

Panelists:

• Paula Bontempi, Dean, Graduate School of Oceanography, URI
• Anthony Marchese, Dean, College of Engineering, URI

4:00PM-4:35PM Special Presentation: Boston Blue Canadian Technology Accelerator (CTA) Flashtalk Presentations

• DevOcean
• Ocean Riot
• Virtual Marine
• Aquaband/Marecomms
• Rockland Scientific

4:35PM-5:00PM Annual Rising Tide Award Ceremony

Join us as we recognize these individuals and organizations for their continued support of, and leadership within, the blue economy.

• Awardee: Molly Donohue Magee, UTIC

Presenter: Mark Smithers, Boston Engineering

• Awardee: Bill Lynn, Herreshoff Marine Museum

Presenter: Nate Walton, Sachem Strategies, and Vice Chair, Board, Blue Venture Forum, Inc.

• Awardee: Erin Daily Donahue, Consulate General of Canada in Boston

Presenter: Roger Race, Dartmouth Ocean Technologies, and member, Board, Blue Venture Forum, Inc.

Sponsor: Boston Engineering Corp

5:00PM-6:30PM Opening ReceptionWelcome: Xaykham (“Xay”) Khamsyvoravong, City Council, Newport, Rhode Islan10:00AM-10:15AM

Wednesday, February 12
8:00AM-8:30AM Registration and Continental Breakfast

8:30AM-9:15AM Opening Remarks

Introduction: Toby Stapleton, Blue Venture Forum, Inc.

Board Welcome: Jeff Smith, Chair, Board, Blue Venture Forum, Inc.

Welcome: Honorable Daniel J. McKee, Governor of Rhode Island

Consul General Bernadette Jordan, Consulate General of Canada in Boston

9:15AM-10:00AM North Atlantic Ocean Alliance: US, UK and Canada Collaborating to develop the future of bluetech

The North Atlantic Ocean Alliance reflects a partnership of global players that are committed to cooperating and collaborating to address opportunities, issues, and challenges relative to our shared ocean space that is utilized, enjoyed, governed, and protected by its surrounding constituencies.  The alliance includes representation from maritime entities in U.S. East Coast, Canada, and the U.K.  

Moderator: Lee Silvestre, Coordinator, NavalX Tech Bridge

Panelists:

• Dr. Vittorio Ricci, CTO, US Naval Undersea Warfare Center Headquarters (US)
• Dr. Kevin Forshaw, Director of Marine Business Development, University of Plymouth Marine Institute (UK)
• Philip Bishop, Head of Commercial Development, National Oceanography Centre (UK)
• Shelly Petten, Executive Director, Oceans Advance (CAN)

10:00AM-10:45AM Naval Reindustrialization: Maintaining Maritime Supremacy in the 21^st Century”

Moderator: Nate Walton, Founder and Principal, Sachem Strategies

Panelists:

• Geoff Manchester, CTO VATN Systems
• James Holmes, Professor, Naval War College
• Matthew Porat, Managing Director, Blackbird Capital Group
• Rylan Hamilton, CEO, Blue Water Autonomy

10:45AM-11:15AM Networking Break

11:15AM-12:00PM Growing a Blue Tech Company: Resources, Demonstrations, and Experimentations

Moderator: Linda Larsen, Operations Manager, 401 Tech Bridge

Panelists: 

• Julie Kallfelz, Director, Northeast Tech Bridge and Engagement Officer, Naval Undersea Warfare Center
• Erik Brine, Advisor, 401 Tech Bridge
• Ben Garvey, CEO, Enginuity

Sponsor: 401 Tech Bridge

12:00PM-1:00PM Economic Update Luncheon, Growing our Ocean Economy: A Fireside Chat with Liz Tanner, Secretary of Commerce, State of Rhode Island

Brought to you by the Blue Venture Forum and the Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce for this annual Economic Update.

1:00PM-2:00PM Artificial Intelligence in Action

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a transformative technology for the blue economy, enabling advancements across various industries, from enhanced ocean monitoring to defense.  This panel of experts will explore how AI is being deployed in these sectors. 

Moderator: Brian Kononchik, Director of Innovative Digital Technologies, Boston Engineering Corp.

Panelists:

• David Segala, CEO, IDM Solutions, LLC
• Guillaume Morrissette, Ocean Riot
• Nick Rotker, Chief BlueTech Strategist, Mitre Corp

2:00PM-2:30PM Networking Break 

2:30PM-3:00PM Flashtalks-Global Bluetech Innovators and Entrepreneurs

• D-2 Incorporated
• SeaChange Fuels
• LOOKOUT
• Dartmouth Ocean Technologies
• Umass Dartmouth
• eSKI

3:00PM-3:45PM From Vision to Victory, developing successful proposals to bring innovations to life, a fireside chat with Kyle Woerner, Chief Scientist, Systems & Technology Research (STR)

3:45PM-4:30PM Marine Energy-Powering the Blue Economy

Advancing the marine energy industry will be critical to developing long-term power solutions to blue/maritime economies and coastal communities. This panel of experts will discuss the work that is being done to research, support, and commercialize marine energy systems.

Moderator: Martin Wosnik, Director, Atlantic Marine Energy Center (AMEC)

• Stuart Davies, CEO, ORPC (Ocean Renewable Power Corp)
• Todd Amaral, Adler Pollock & Sheehan
• David Duquette, CEO, Littoral Power Systems 

4:30PM-5:15PM AI and the Changing Nature of Warfare

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is significantly altering the nature of warfare.  It enables faster decision-making, more precise targeting, and increased automation (e.g. drones). This panel of experts will explore the potential for these systems on the modern battlefield. 

Moderator: Justin Manley, Just Innovation 

• Nicholas Frazier, AI Division Director, USASOC Force Modernization Center
• Chris Demchak, Professor, US Naval War College
• Industry Representative (waiting to confirm)

5:15PM-6:30PM Closing Reception

Thursday, February 13
9:30AM-3:00PM Port of New Bedford Ecosystem Tour, Hosted by the New Bedford Ocean Cluster

This event really has become a “can’t miss” of the BIS and, this year, it includes a tour of the Port of New Bedford, New Bedford Research & Robotics, and UMass Dartmouth’s School of Marine & Science Technology (SMAST)

Admission is complimentary but, because of limited space, registration is required: Register HERE.

Photo Consent

By registering for this event, I grant Blue Venture Forum permission to use photographs and/or video recordings of me taken during the event for promotional purposes. I understand that these images may be used in various media formats, including social media, websites, and publications. I acknowledge that I will not receive any financial compensation for the use of these images.

Newsletter Consent

By registering for this event, I agree to receive newsletters and updates from Blue Venture Forum and its partners. I understand that I can unsubscribe at any time by following the instructions provided in the newsletters.

Cancellation/Refund Policy

Cancellation/refund policy: 100% refund available before Monday, February 3, 2025. On or after February 3rd, people who cancel will be eligible to receive a 50% refund.