"We need a global approach to this from all sides. We need to educate people, we need the scientists to create new technologies, we need the engineers to create the networks, we need every human being to be aware of how precious water is and save it. Everybody has to be involved in a very firm and assertive way." - Isabel Allende, Chilean-American writer
We aim to help educate young people to be the next generation of "Water Thought Leaders" for their communities and the wider world. That could be as simple (and important) as serving on a local water resource committee, or exploring the burgeoning opportunities and career pathways in the blue economy through internships, workforce development, and our future BLUE Semester. Cultural engagements such as the annual "Words on Water" writing contest for poetry, prose and playwriting, offers both the writer and reader reflections on the relationships we all have with water - be it oceans, rivers, or a glass from the tap. Community conferences, art activities and science lectures engage learners of all ages. Our mission is to break down silos, educate, collaborate and to facilitate the creation of water thought leaders, resilient communities, and innovative solutions for clean water, climate resiliency, and healthy & secure oceans. We focus on equity and inclusion particularly for siloed and disparate educators, and innovators from academia, industry and government. We aim long term to bring them together with students for a semester at a time to take a deep dive into collaborative working climate solutions - because we believe strongly in open ecosystem and "innovation through collaboration." Our planet needs collaboration now.
Blue Institute is mission driven to support early stage BlueTech, ClimateTech, and Blue Economy Startups (including ideas growing within a university or a garage), and to develop more sector diversity and inclusion - particularly women and BIPOC in BlueTech. Our "Advanced Topics" BLUE Excelerator supports startups in an intensive virtual three month program with deep technical knowledge, field experienced mentors, and instructive curriculum modules. In 2017 the Blue Institute Labs was created to address the ongoing needs of startups long term growth (BLUE Incubator) and provide safe and affordable waterfront access for startups, students, industry, academia, NGOs and government agencies and is now developing BLUE, a waterfront open-innovation hub on Boston Harbor. Blue Institute Labs is a public benefit corporation that commits 10% of profits towards scholarships and fellowships at the Blue Institute. (fabulous graphic above from the Ocean Panel_2019 - Ocean based Mitigation Options and Associated Annual Mitigation Potential in 2050). In 2020 Blue Institute Labs designed the BLUE Excelerator (BX) and ran the first cohort of 11 ClimateTech startups in 2021 (BX!), and then transferred the program to the Blue Institute who has graduated BX2 and BX3. BLUE Excelerator applications are now open for BX4.
