OCEANS 2023 Gulf Coast invites start-up businesses, as well as marine-focused technologies from nonprofits, universities, community colleges, and trade schools to exhibit their marine-related capabilities and to sponsor their students and faculty to attend. With an expected attendance of 2,000 and exhibits from more than 100 marine-related companies, plus state and federal entities, OCEANS 2023 will provide unique opportunities for these organizations to participate in the “Start-Up Pavilion” area of the Exhibition, to showcase their research and educational programs in skilled and professional trades, coastal engineering, marine sciences, ocean observing, and marine technologies.
Blue Economy – Locally Sourced, Globally Driven is the local theme of OCEANS 2023. We invite you to highlight your organization’s innovative research and engineering solutions for this and other important ocean-related issues.
Sponsored By:
For those joining as start-up businesses or, non-profit organizations OCEANS 2023 will:
- Connect you to an audience of curated, high-level leaders from across the DoD, Government, Industry, and Academia.
- Provide insights into the fastest-growing markets and ocean technology needs.
- Provide an open platform for networking and collaboration opportunities.
OCEANS 2023 will provide especially valuable opportunities for your students:
- To foster and promote their involvement in technical conferences.
- To interact one-on-one with conference attendees from the international marine research and industrial communities.
- To develop contacts for future employment opportunities.
Please join us in the “Start-Up Pavilion” in the Exhibit Hall by reserving a turn-key kiosk today! Each start-up business, non-profit, college/university will be granted a discounted rate for this turn-key solution.
Package includes:
- (1) Full conference registration
- (2) Exhibit hall-only registrations
- (2) Special discounted registration rate allotments
- (1) Counter chair, wastebasket, and standard electric
- ID Sign
- Carpet for booth space
Please complete this questionnaire for approval on being accepted into the Start-Up Pavilion.

*Counter will have show branding*

Big Ideas Out of the Blue
Exciting things are happening with the Gulf Blue Initiative. At the turn of the 19th Century, the Gulf & Ship Island Building was home to the Gulf & Ship Island Railroad business, built and founded by Captain Joseph Jones. In an exciting return to its roots as an economic engine and hub of progress, the historic building is the centerpiece of the Gulf Blue Initiative, a transformational driver of the blue economy in the Gulf of Mexico region, and home to a collaborative, 24-hour connected workspace for blue tech innovation. Members have proximity to small businesses and industry, an extensive mentor network, and local, state, and federal partners—all within steps of the Gulf of Mexico which includes year-round shallow and deep water testing.
Under the Gulf Blue Initiative, we have the Gulf Blue Navigator. The Gulf Blue Navigator program leverages the Mississippi Gulf Coast’s position as an innovation gateway to support late-stage startups, shorten their development timeline, and accelerate their time to revenue. Participating companies will gain market access while engaging with university, industry, state, and federal partners and potential customers.