AltaSea and World Trade Center Barcelona collaborate to accelerate blue economy technologies, ocean-based climate solutions, and global innovation networks.
AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles—recognized globally as a major hub for the blue economy—has announced a new international partnership aimed at accelerating innovation in ocean-based technologies and climate solutions. The organization has signed a Letter of Understanding (LOU) with World Trade Center Barcelona (WTCB) and its emerging blue economy innovation hub, BlueTechPort. This non-binding agreement establishes a strategic framework for collaboration between the two major port cities of Los Angeles and Barcelona, with the shared goal of promoting blue technology innovation, strengthening ocean-focused ecosystems, and expanding opportunities for entrepreneurs, students, and communities on both sides of the Atlantic.
Building a Bridge Between Two Global Port Cities
The partnership reflects the growing importance of the blue economy—a sector encompassing ocean-based industries such as marine technology, renewable energy, aquaculture, and ocean conservation. By connecting stakeholders across continents, the collaboration aims to accelerate the development and scaling of technologies that can address pressing global challenges, including climate change, ocean health, and sustainable economic development.
Both Los Angeles and Barcelona are historically significant maritime cities whose ports play vital roles in global trade and economic activity. Increasingly, these ports are also becoming centers for innovation focused on sustainable ocean industries. The newly announced partnership between AltaSea and World Trade Center Barcelona seeks to harness this shared potential by creating a collaborative bridge between their respective innovation ecosystems.
Under the agreement, the organizations will prioritize linking key participants in the blue economy from both regions. These stakeholders include startups, academic researchers, investors, workforce development organizations, public agencies, and industry leaders. By bringing these groups together, the initiative hopes to accelerate the development of solutions that protect ocean ecosystems while also driving economic growth.
A Shared Vision for Ocean Innovation
According to AltaSea leadership, the collaboration represents an important step in expanding the global reach of blue economy innovation. Jenny Krusoe, Chief Operating Officer and Founder of AltaSea, emphasized that the partnership highlights the ability of coastal innovation hubs to generate sustainable economic opportunity.
She noted that Los Angeles and Barcelona share more than just their status as major port cities—they also share a commitment to using the blue economy as a driver of environmental solutions and quality jobs. By connecting the innovation communities in both cities, the partnership will give entrepreneurs and researchers greater access to pilot sites, global markets, and collaborative networks.
The initiative will also enable the exchange of knowledge and expertise, helping organizations on both sides learn from each other’s successes in areas such as technology development, community engagement, and sustainable industry growth.
BlueTechPort: Barcelona’s Emerging Blue Economy Hub
The agreement also highlights the growing role of BlueTechPort, a major new innovation hub being developed in Barcelona. Operated by the World Trade Center Barcelona in partnership with the Port of Barcelona, BlueTechPort aims to create a dynamic environment where startups, researchers, and companies can collaborate on ocean-related technologies.
Opened in 1999, World Trade Center Barcelona has long served as a prominent business and logistics center on the city’s waterfront. Now, the organization is expanding its vision by investing in the blue economy. Earlier this month, the Port of Barcelona and WTCB officially broke ground on BlueTechPort, which will transform historic warehouses located at the Sant Bertran dock into a modern innovation space dedicated to ocean technology.
The facility is designed to foster collaboration among companies, researchers, and entrepreneurs working on solutions related to maritime sustainability, marine robotics, renewable energy, and ocean conservation. By partnering with AltaSea, BlueTechPort hopes to expand its international connections and provide its resident innovators with access to new markets and testing opportunities in North America.
Carles Anglada, General Manager of World Trade Center Barcelona, highlighted the similarities between the two innovation hubs. He noted that BlueTechPort is designed to be a collaborative meeting place for the blue economy ecosystem, much like AltaSea’s campus in Los Angeles. By linking the two centers, the partnership will allow companies and researchers to exchange ideas, test technologies, and expand their reach into global markets.
Collaborative Initiatives and Shared Programs
The Letter of Understanding outlines several key areas of collaboration between AltaSea and BlueTechPort. One of the main objectives is the exchange of best practices related to public policy, business development, and community engagement in the blue economy sector. Both organizations have developed programs designed to support emerging ocean-focused companies, and sharing insights from these experiences could help accelerate the growth of new ventures.
Another focus area is collaboration between accelerator programs and educational institutions. The two organizations plan to exchange knowledge about how they work with startups, workforce development programs, and higher education partners. This could include joint workshops, educational initiatives, and networking opportunities for students interested in careers in ocean technology and climate science.
The partners will also work together to highlight blue economy initiatives in both cities through events, conferences, and public engagement efforts. One example mentioned in the agreement is coordination around the IGNITE22 conference organized by Braid Theory in Los Angeles. Events like these provide opportunities to showcase new technologies, connect investors with entrepreneurs, and bring global attention to the growing blue economy ecosystem.
Additionally, the organizations plan to explore the creation of a pilot project exchange program. Such a program could allow companies developing ocean technologies to test their innovations in different environments and markets, accelerating technology transfer and increasing the chances of commercial success.
Strengthening Global Blue Economy Networks
The partnership also reflects the broader trend of international cooperation in addressing environmental and climate challenges. Oceans cover more than 70 percent of the planet’s surface and play a crucial role in regulating the Earth’s climate. However, they also face significant threats from pollution, overfishing, and climate change.
By connecting innovation hubs in different regions, initiatives like the AltaSea–BlueTechPort collaboration can help accelerate the development of solutions to these global problems. The organizations plan to meet quarterly to review progress, coordinate initiatives, and identify new opportunities for collaboration.
It is important to note that the Letter of Understanding does not create any immediate financial obligations for either party. Instead, it establishes a framework for cooperation that can evolve over time as specific projects and initiatives are developed.
The Role of Braid Theory in the Partnership
Another key participant in the collaboration is Braid Theory, an accelerator and venture development organization focused on innovation and sustainability. In 2024, Braid Theory established a new office in Barcelona to expand its global accelerator and “landing pad” programs that help startups enter new international markets.
Ann Carpenter, CEO of Braid Theory, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership and its potential to drive real-world solutions for ocean sustainability. She noted that the organization is proud to support both BlueTechPort and AltaSea as they explore synergies and work to accelerate the commercialization of innovative ocean technologies.
AltaSea’s Growing Impact
Now entering its eleventh year, AltaSea has developed a 35-acre ocean technology campus at the Port of Los Angeles. The campus has become home to a diverse range of organizations working on solutions related to aquaculture, carbon capture, renewable energy, and ocean exploration.
In addition to supporting startups and research institutions, AltaSea is deeply involved in educational initiatives. The organization partners with high schools, colleges, and universities to provide students with hands-on learning opportunities and exposure to careers in ocean science and climate innovation.
Through programs that combine research, entrepreneurship, and workforce development, AltaSea aims to cultivate the next generation of scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs who will shape the future of the blue economy.