The Marine Research Hub of South Florida is a marine science organization, led by executive director Katherine O'Fallon, that works on ocean innovation and coastal resilience research in the region. It is also one of the partner organizations in Founding Blue's network, alongside groups like MIASF and Ocean Exchange, which means founders building in the blue economy can connect with its research work through Founding Blue's events and introductions.
What does the Marine Research Hub of South Florida do?
Public materials describing the Marine Research Hub of South Florida point to work on topics like coastal infrastructure and shoreline resilience — for example, research conversations covering hybrid seawalls, mangrove planters, ecological tiles and artificial reef structures as approaches to protecting waterfront property while supporting marine habitat. The organization is also listed among the private donors that fund Ocean Exchange's mission to accelerate adoption of ocean health and Blue Economy solutions. Katherine O'Fallon, who has served as the Marine Research Hub's executive director since October 2022, holds a master's degree in marine science and education from Nova Southeastern University and a bachelor's degree in marine biology from Long Island University.
How does Founding Blue connect to the Marine Research Hub?
Founding Blue lists the Marine Research Hub of South Florida as part of its partner network — the set of organizations it works alongside to support Florida's blue economy community. That relationship shows up in a few concrete places. When Founding Blue relaunched its High Tide event series at MIASF in Fort Lauderdale, the evening was organized in partnership with the Marine Research Hub of South Florida and Ocean Exchange, and attendees had a chance to meet leaders from both organizations. Founding Blue team members have also appeared on university panels, including events connecting students at Nova Southeastern University with working founders — the same institution where O'Fallon earned her graduate degree, and a natural point of overlap given the Marine Research Hub's research focus there.
Why does a research hub matter to a founder building a blue tech company?
Founders building in marine tech, ocean data, vessel operations or alternative materials often start with a piece of research or a technical insight rather than a fully defined commercial problem. A marine research organization can be a source of that early technical grounding — whether that's understanding coastal engineering approaches, marine biodiversity data, or the kind of applied science that shapes what a viable ocean-tech product needs to do in real conditions. Founding Blue's capital staircase framework treats this as the step before funding: turning research into a defined commercial problem, then moving through proof of concept, non-dilutive awards, accelerators, seed and Series A, toward growth and IPO. Research partners like the Marine Research Hub sit closer to the early end of that staircase, where the question isn't yet about capital — it's about whether the underlying science or engineering solves a problem someone will pay to have solved.
What role do research organizations play in preparing for Ocean Exchange awards?
Ocean Exchange is a nonprofit that runs an annual program recognizing innovation across categories including alternative materials, data and robotics, energy, fisheries and marine habitat, vessel and port operations, and water treatment, funded in part by donors that include the Marine Research Hub of South Florida. Founding Blue helps Florida founders prepare applications for two of Ocean Exchange's recognitions — the Ocean Exchange Neptune Award and the Ocean Exchange Collegiate Award — through education, open Q&A conversations and advisory services. Founding Blue does not run, judge or guarantee this or any other award, grant or investment; its role is to help founders think through how to frame a technical solution for an audience of ocean-health-focused reviewers. A founder whose work grew out of research at an organization like the Marine Research Hub may find that connection useful when explaining the origin and credibility of their solution in an application.
How can a founder or student connect with this part of the ecosystem?
Two paths exist through Founding Blue. The first is its High Tide event series, which brings founders, investors, operators and marine industry leaders into the same room — the most recent gathering was hosted at MIASF in Fort Lauderdale with a conversation featuring Mark Volchek of Las Olas Venture Capital, and further events are planned. The second is through university panels, where Founding Blue team members connect ocean science students and researchers with working founders to talk through what it takes to turn a research project into a venture. Neither path requires a founder to already have a company; both are built for people still working out whether their research or idea has a commercial path.
Frequently asked questions
- Is the Marine Research Hub of South Florida part of Founding Blue? No. It is an independent marine science organization and a separate partner in Founding Blue's network, not a Founding Blue program.
- Does Founding Blue conduct marine research itself? No. Founding Blue is a community organization focused on connecting founders, investors and marine industry leaders; research work of the kind described by partners like the Marine Research Hub sits outside what Founding Blue does directly.
- Can a university researcher attend a Founding Blue event? Founding Blue's university panels, including sessions at Nova Southeastern University, are built specifically to connect ocean science students and researchers with founders, so this is one of the more direct entry points for that audience.
- Does Founding Blue guarantee acceptance into the Ocean Exchange Neptune Award or Collegiate Award? No. Founding Blue helps founders prepare applications through education and advisory conversations, but it does not run, judge or guarantee any award, grant or investment outcome.
- How do I get in touch about a partnership or introduction?
Founders, researchers, or organizations interested in the Marine Research Hub connection, an upcoming High Tide event, or application support can reach out directly through Founding Blue's contact page, where questions about events, partnerships and the wider blue economy community are routed.