The U.S. Center for Maritime Innovation (USCMI) is hosting an Innovation Café and Workshop focused on identifying and evaluating regional maritime incubators and other existing federal, state, regional, and private sector initiatives that align with Maritime Prosperity Zones (MPZs) and support U.S. Maritime Action Plan (MAP) objectives.
Regional maritime incubators represent strategic frameworks designed to leverage existing port infrastructure, maritime services, and industrial ecosystems to drive economic growth, enhance operational resilience, and attract investment in emerging maritime technologies and business models. This event seeks to connect researchers, startups, technology developers, government agencies, investors, shipowners/operators, shipyards, and other maritime stakeholders around these priority topics.
November 9, 2026 · U.S. Department of Transportation Headquarters, Washington, DC (EST)
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 8:00 – 9:00 | Registration and Security |
| 9:00 – 10:00 | Welcome and Introduction |
| 10:00 – 12:00 | Panel Presentations & Exhibits |
| 12:00 – 12:45 | Lunch & Exhibits |
| 12:45 – 1:00 | Intro to Workshops |
| 1:00 – 5:00 | Workshops |
Three participation roles are available. Applicants may submit for one or multiple roles.
Presenter — Give a short overview of your regional maritime projects and initiatives during the Innovation Café. Note whether you are also interested in exhibiting.
Exhibitor — Provide static or dynamic displays on your regional maritime projects and initiatives. Note whether you are also interested in presenting.
General Attendee — Attend the exhibits and join the facilitated workshop. Through structured discussion, participants assess the structure, resources, governance, partnerships and outcomes of representative maritime regional innovation efforts and identify strengths, gaps, overlaps, barriers, lessons learned and best practices.
We are seeking submissions from stakeholders focused on identifying and evaluating past, ongoing, and planned efforts pertaining to Maritime Prosperity Zones and U.S. Maritime Action Plan objectives.
The application deadline has been extended to October 26. Applicants who applied by the original deadline (October 16) will be notified by October 21. Applications received after the original deadline will be accepted as space is available.
All accepted applications are subject to Department of Transportation security review and approval. Applicants who are not U.S. citizens, including lawful permanent residents (green card holders), must contact USCMI at innovationcafe@uscmi.org to provide the additional information the Department of Transportation requires.
Given time and space constraints, the USCMI plans to select a limited number of each of the three types of participants. The USCMI does not plan to provide any funding to participants for this event, which is intended to facilitate the connection of providers of concepts, technologies, and capabilities with potential government users.
Extended from October 16. Applications received after October 16 will be accepted as space is available.
Applicants who applied by October 16 will be notified by this date. USCMI will also provide further information on venue security and access.
Applications should include a short description of your MPZ-related efforts, current state of development, any plans and lessons learned, and the name(s) of key personnel. Applicants may apply for one or multiple roles.
Apply to present, exhibit, or attend the USCMI Innovation Café & Workshop on Maritime Prosperity Zones. Select your preferred participation role(s) below.