Promoting the Blue Economy Through Innovation

The Blue Economy Innovation Program (BEIP) connects NC State students, faculty and partners to advance ocean and coastal industries while protecting marine ecosystems. Through hands-on learning, wave-making research, industry partnerships and interdisciplinary collaboration, BEIP prepares the next generation of leaders in maritime and coastal innovation.

What is the Blue Economy?

The blue economy comprises economic activity related to the ocean, seascapes, coastlines, intertidal regions, and connected coastal watersheds. According to the World Bank (2017), the blue economy is the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs, while preserving the health of ocean ecosystems. NC State is rapidly becoming poised to be a leader in fueling resilient and sustainable growth in next-generation maritime technologies (bluetech) and economies.

A Growing Program at NC State

The Blue Economy Innovation Program launched in 2020 as a collaborative working group designed to spark student innovation and entrepreneurship.

Since then, BEIP has expanded across campus and beyond:

• 2023: Formalized within the Coastal Resilience and Sustainability Initiative (CRSI) under Director Dr. Chris Osburn
• 2024: Received NC State Sustainability Council’s Innovation and Impact Award
• 2025: Integrated into the Climate and Sustainability Academy to expand interdisciplinary collaboration and applied climate solutions

How to Get Involved

BEIP advances the blue economy through three core program areas that combine classroom learning, real-world problem solving and professional networking.

Annual Blue Economy Workshop

Where students tackle real ocean and coastal challenges.

The annual Creating Solutions for the Global Blue Economy workshop brings together students, entrepreneurs and industry experts for hands-on innovation experiences.

Students collaborate across disciplines to explore real-world challenges while connecting with startup incubators and industry mentors. With generous support from NC State and external sponsors, the workshop remains free to undergraduate and graduate students.

Interdisciplinary Innovation Course

MEA 439/539: Interdisciplinary Innovation in the Blue Economy is offered each fall through the Department of Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences.

• Open to all majors
• No prerequisites required
• Available to undergraduate and graduate students
• Complements the annual workshop with project-based learning

Students work across disciplines to develop solutions to complex ocean and coastal challenges.

Mentorship and Industry Connections

BEIP connects students with research, innovation and workforce opportunities through partnerships across NC State and the broader coastal innovation ecosystem.

We are grateful for the partners who make this work possible:

Student Successes

BEIP is proud to highlight recent successes of students who have been part of the program and are working towards innovations for a more sustainable blue economy!

• Reid Barnett – Founder of Ceretune, LLC, has won the Collegiate Competition prize at OceanExchange in October 2024 and the Pitch Prize at EarthX in March 2025
• Nathan Daughtry – Founder of WaveSafe Maritime Solutions was a recipient of the 2025 NC State Innovation and Entrepreneurship Force Multiplier Award
• Dylan Gretok – Founder of Seagull Sustainability developed alternative plastics based on seaweed. Dylan was recently accepted into the Mercedes-Benz beVisioneers fellow program.
• Kelly Fawcett and Libby Ivory – both were recipients of the Stardust Startups NC Coastal Idea Challenge! Kelly’s innovation was “Little Free Beach Box” and Libby’s was “Albatross Aerobotics”