Tuesday, September 29, 2026 | 8:00a.m. - 4:30p.m.
Location: UNCW Burney Center
Organized by: UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) and the Alliance for the Blue Economy (All Blue)
Virtual conference registration deadline: Friday, September 25
In-person conference registration deadline: Walk-ins accepted; Space is limited.
*Printed name badges for attendees registered by September 25.
“Preserving, protecting, and restoring our waters are tasks for many lifetimes, and sometimes the effort can seem overwhelming. But as long as we stay connected with all of the many, many blessings that water provides, and continue to keep that love in the forefront of our minds and hearts, as long as we remind ourselves to hope, then our stories will help connect others to water and encourage them to do what they can to help care for this beautiful Blue Marble world.”
― Wallace J. Nichols, Blue Mind: The Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do
Uniting Innovation, Expertise, and Passion for a Thriving Ocean Future
The Ocean Innovation Conference unites the deep research expertise of UNCW, the dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem of southeastern North Carolina, and the passion of people who care deeply about our ocean and coastal communities.
The goal? To spark something great, whether it’s marine biotechnology, alternative materials, living shoreline projects, ocean data science, or emerging innovations we’ve yet to imagine.
Join thought leaders, innovators, and change-makers to explore bold ideas and develop new solutions for our oceans and waterways. From pollution to overfishing and ecosystem degradation, our ocean faces major challenges. But where there are challenges, there is also opportunity. Opportunity for entrepreneurs, researchers, governments, and communities to lead the way in shaping a sustainable ocean future.
We invite you to explore how southeastern North Carolina and beyond are embracing this moment. The conference highlights trends in blue economy innovation, shares updates on marine and coastal research, and showcases opportunities for investment, collaboration, and action. Throughout the day, sessions will focus on our regional blue ecosystem, cutting-edge ocean technologies, and efforts to preserve and restore the precious resources of our seas.
Don’t miss the Innovation Fair, where you can meet startups, nonprofits, researchers, and support organizations working at the intersection of ocean conservation and innovation.
