The City of Fremantle is proud to be a founding partner in the 'Blue Gravity' program launched today.
Blue Gravity is partnership led by local governments and industry aimed at attracting investment and talent to innovative 'blue economy' companies and technologies.
The blue economy includes food and materials harvested from the sea; robots, software and technology that operate in the ocean; and even new approaches to restoration of kelp forests and coral reefs.
The state government is backing the partnership through its X-TEND WA Program and New Industries Fund, aligning with the vision of WA being the leading blue economy in the Indian Ocean region by 2030.
Fremantle Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge said Fremantle was ideally placed to capitalise on the growth of the blue economy in the coming decades.
"Marine based industries currently support approximately 1,400 jobs within the City of Fremantle and are a significant contributor to the City's local economy and a strong foundation upon which to grow Fremantle's innovation capabilities," Mayor Fitzhardinge said.
"The Blue Gravity Program will deliver new investment and focused support for innovative, high-growth potential marine ventures.
"This is an exciting new initiative that strengthens Fremantle's position as a destination city for clever and creative people and where innovation and achievement are encouraged."
The other Blue Gravity founding partners are For Blue, City of Cockburn, Fremantle Chamber of Commerce, Hub on SX, Impact Seed, Centre for Entrepreneurial Research and Innovation, Innovation Cluster, Spacecubed and CORE Innovation Hub.
For Blue Managing Director Andrew Outhwaite said trade in Western Australia, and especially Fremantle, depended on the sea.
"Blue Gravity recognises this foundation and is supporting innovators to take our 'blue economy' to the next level," Mr Outhwaite said.
"This initiative is unique nationally, offering businesses a single point of access to support including training, capital, workspace, professional services and networks to accelerate their growth."
Opportunities available through the Blue Gravity program include up to $10,000 of support for individual ventures; scholarships to start-up incubation programs; forums to connect key leaders, innovators, investors and talent and access to new forms of investment for high-impact ventures.
Expressions of Interest are open for people and organisations wanting to accelerate the growth of their ocean-related innovations, or invest in and support such ventures.
EOIs are open to all ocean ventures based in Western Australia with the initiative based in Fremantle and Cockburn, but events and support extending out to the State's regions.
