Exocetus Autonomous Systems has been selected as one of 17 companies to participate in the 2017 US Maritime Technology Export Initiative. The company will be participating in activities intended to increase US BlueTech exports and create Blue Jobs.
“This is an amazing opportunity for us,” says Joe Turner, a co-founder of Exocetus. “This program will introduce us to overseas markets, hopefully driving sales and exports and jumpstarting our business. Without this program, we’d likely take another two years to begin exporting.”
The U.S. Maritime Technology Export Initiative is a collaboration between The Maritime Alliance (TMA) and the International Trade Administration (ITA), part of the U.S. Department of Commerce. This is the first time this initiative has been run.
Companies were selected based on their size and their relevance to the BlueTech Industry. A major goal is to create partnerships with buyers and distributors in foreign markets. The ability to enter foreign markets is buoyed by the ITA and the U.S. Commercial Service, which has regional offices around the world to help U.S. businesses.
As part of the program, Exocetus will be exhibiting at Oceanology International North America (OINA), February 14-16, 2017 at the San Diego Convention Center. This conference is an extension of the world-premiere ocean science and technology conference and trade show in London every even year. In April, Exocetus will travel to Europe to exhibit at the Ocean Business trade show in Southampton, UK. This will be followed by a trade mission organized by The Maritime Alliance, with stops in the port cities of Copenhagen, Hamburg and Rotterdam.
“Between the two trade shows and the three cities, our profile is going to be raised considerably,” said Turner. “Our glider is the best on the market, and when the international community hears about it, they’ll be clamoring to use it. It’s really a very exciting time.”
For a list of all the U.S. companies that were selected, visit www.bluetechexports.org/companies
The Maritime Alliance (TMA) is a non-profit industry association and organizer of the largest BlueTech cluster in the United States located in San Diego, California. Its mission is promoting sustainable, science-based ocean and water industries and it focuses on business ecosystem development, economic development and workforce development.
The International Trade Administration (ITA), part of the Department of Commerce, strengthens the competitiveness of U.S. industry, promotes trade and investment, and ensures fair trade through the rigorous enforcement of trade laws and agreements. ITA works to improve the global business environment and helps U.S. organizations compete at home and abroad. ITA supports the National Export Initiative to sustain economic growth and support American jobs.