AmericasTech

Seattle launches maritime startup accelerator in bid to attract younger generations to shipping

The Port of Seattle has teamed up with a famous American IT name to try and develop maritime innovation among younger generations.

The port is working with New York-headqaurtered coworking firm WeWork to launch Washington state’s first ever maritime startup accelerator.

Ten chosen ventures will receive four months of mentorship and training at Seattle’s WeWork Labs, headed by local entrepreneurship guru Elizabeth Scallon, who helped launch the University of Washington’s business incubator CoMotion Labs. State funds have allocated around $200,000 for the incubator in a bid to attract new talent to the local maritime scene. One-third of employees in Washington’s maritime industry are over the age of 55, according to 2018 census data.

Applications are accepted for the next 30 days.

Sam Chambers

Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune.
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