Blue Tide 2026

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Contract Opportunity

BlueTIDE – Where Innovation Surfaces

BlueTIDE is an annual, high-impact technology demonstration event hosted by Polaris Tech Bridge (formerly 401 Tech Bridge) in collaboration with the U.S. Navy and the Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Division Newport (NUWCNPT). Held in Newport, Rhode Island, BlueTIDE is the premier platform for showcasing cutting-edge maritime and dual-use technologies through live, mission-driven demonstrations.

Key Features of BlueTIDE:

• In-Water Demonstration: Selected companies participate in a collaborative integration scenario, designed with DoD input, and demonstrate their technologies as they gain access to key decision makers and receive evaluation feedback from DoD representatives.


• Showcase Alley: Innovators from around the world present dual use solutions, through static displays or shoreside, hands-on testing (separate from the in-water demonstration), attracting interest from potential customers and partners – including investors.


• Networking: Department of Defense officials, industry leaders, investors, and academic researchers are ready to connect and collaborate with event participants. In addition, Navy technical SMEs will be available to discuss NUWCNPT’s Mastery of the Seas 2035 technical vision and capability focus areas.


• Data Collection and Analysis: The data that’s generated during BlueTIDE’s Collaborative Integrated Opportunity will provide feedback and validation of technological capabilities.


• Funding: BlueTIDE has been instrumental in helping participating companies secure capital funding and grants to support the advancement and commercialization of their technologies. Additionally, selected In-Water Demonstration participants may be eligible for funding support.

Expanding to a two-day experience, BlueTIDE exemplifies the Navy’s commitment to partnering with industry and Polaris Tech Bridge’s mission to accelerate the development and deployment of technologies that enhance maritime capabilities and national security.

August 26, 2026 - Day One: Mission Driven Experimentation (Closed Event)

Day 1 of this two-day event begins on Aug. 26,2026, at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport (NUWCDIVNPT) Narragansett Bay Test Facility and will feature a unique, mission-focused, in-water experiment for a limited audience.

August 27, 2026 - Day Two: Live Demonstration & Collaboration (Open Event)

Innovators, operators, decision makers, and investors will convene at Sail Newport in Newport, Rhode Island, for a full day of real-world demonstration, collaboration, and discovery.

BlueTIDE 2026 Collaborative Integration Opportunity

BlueTIDE 2026 will include four preliminary virtual qualifying demonstration events followed by a culminating Collaborative Integration Opportunity event on August 27, 2026, at Sail Newport in Newport, RI.

The Collaborative Integration Opportunity that plays out at BlueTIDE provides companies with a rare opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities and technology integration within a developed maritime mission scenario. This dynamic environment allows technologies to be tested and validated in real-time, under realistic operational conditions. It’s an ideal setting for showcasing autonomous systems, sensors, communications platforms, and other dual-use solutions in action.

Technical Focus Areas to include:

• Multi-Domain Autonomous Systems (UxS)


• Counter UxS and Defensive Autonomous Capabilities


• Maritime and Undersea Domain Awareness Technologies


• Modeling, Simulation, and Digital Mission Environments

With direct observation by defense, Navy, and industry stakeholders, companies gain invaluable feedback, visibility, and the chance to prove how their technology would perform in a mission critical setting. Participation not only strengthens credibility – it also opens doors to new partnerships, funding opportunities, and accelerated pathways to deployment.

Interested companies must submit an application and supporting documentation by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on May 28, 2026.

https://401techbridge.org/bluetide/2026-collaborative-integration-opportunity/2026-collaborative-integration-opportunity-application/

Ways to Participate

Demonstrate: Collaborative Integration Opportunity

Selected companies will demonstrate their cutting-edge maritime or undersea technology as part of a collaborative integration opportunity developed in partnership with our military partners. BlueTIDE is the premier venue for connecting with military and civilian decision makers, and venture capitalists as companies gain recognition, build trust, and stand out from the crowd. This is not an ordinary tradeshow.

https://401techbridge.org/bluetide/2026-collaborative-integration-opportunity/

Exhibit: Generate interest

Companies can exhibit at BlueTIDE’s Showcase Alley to present their technology through static displays and/or shoreside demonstrations. Some exhibitors may have an opportunity to engage with an audience that includes investors, industry, and the U.S. military. Other exhibitors may have a chance to perform shoreside, hands-on testing that is not part of the in-water demonstration. *Collaborative Integration Opportunity applicants will receive priority for showcase and hands-on testing opportunities.

https://401techbridge.org/bluetide/showcase-alley/

Attend: Increase visibility

BlueTIDE attendees will see cutting-edge undersea and maritime technologies, network with innovators and potential funders, discover dual-use technologies for commercial and defense markets, and experience live, hands-on testing of autonomous systems, sensors, and communication solutions.

https://401techbridge.org/event/bluetide-2026-registration/

More information, applications, and registration for Day 2 are available here: https://401techbridge.org/bluetide/

If companies are interested in discussing applicability of their technology to BlueTIDE 2026 and learning more about how they could participate, please contact Polaris Tech Bridge’s Linda Larsen at llarsen@polaristeam.org.

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