Marine Open Innovation Institute (MaOI), based in Shizuoka, Japan, in the iconic area of Suruga Bay (the deepest coastal ocean area from the Sea of Japan and home to Mount Fuji), is the newest member of Bluetech Cluster Alliance, a global network of blue economy clusters that foster sustainable business models, products and services for developing healthy oceans and freshwater ecosystems, thus building resilience for climate change adaptation and mitigation. MSE International has been an active member of the Blue Tech Cluster Alliance for many years.

The MaOI Institute plays a key role in advancing the Marine Open Innovation Project in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, focusing on three primary ocean-related areas:

Promotion of the blue economy

• Operation of the MaOI Forum, a membership network bringing together industry, government, academia, and finance
• Matching and commercialization support for research seeds and corporate needs
• One-stop research support service, intellectual property management, and startup support

Development and operation of a marine R&D hub

• Creation and use of a library and database of marine resources
• Use and management of research facilities, equipment, etc. (joint laboratories, shared equipment, etc.)
• Collaboration with universities, research institutes, and existing platforms to promote R&D and industrial applications

Promotion of collaboration between individuals and organizations associated with the ocean

• Operation of the Association for the Future of Shizuoka’s Beautiful and Bountiful Sea, which promotes collaboration and cooperation between diverse individuals and groups associated with the ocean
• Creation of a network that helps people learn and become familiar with the ocean

Bluetech Cluster Alliance’s mission is to foster sustainable investment and growth within the knowledge-based ocean and water industries, benefiting all stakeholders through proactive regional, national, and international collaboration.

Representing collectively more than 5000 companies that operate their business in blue economy, BTCA strives to create an environment where members of participating clusters can seamlessly share information, collaborate on cutting-edge research and development initiatives, and collectively pursue business development opportunities.

By uniting our strengths, expertise, and resources, we aim to propel innovation in BlueTech, driving the industry towards a more prosperous and sustainable future, driving forward innovation and sustainability.

BTCA is now composed by 11 clusters from 9 countries of 3 continents, which are the following:

North America

TMA Bluetech, based in California, United States of America

Oceans Advance, based in NewFoundland, Canada

Europe

Fórum Oceano, based in Portugal

PLOCAN, based in Spain

Pole Mer Bretagne Atlantique, based in France

Pole Mer Mediterranée, based in France

Irish Maritime Development Office, based in Ireland

Cornwall Marine Network, based in United Kingdom

MSE International, based in United Kingdom

GCE Ocean Tech, based in Norway

Asia

Marine Open Innovation Institute, based in Japan

BTCA is an informal alliance, lead by a rotating coordinator and headquarters (HQ), which now is Fórum Oceano, Portugal’s blue economy cluster. The first HQ and coordinator was TMA Bluetech, from USA.

For more details please visit https://bluetechclusters.org/