The Massachusetts Ocean Technology Network: A strategy for new business development

The southeastern part of Massachusetts and Southern New England is home to many world class marine research institutions, government laboratories, manufacturing and services firms. To combat cutbacks in military and research funding a group of thirty marine technology manufacturing and service firms joined forces to learn about state and federal programs aimed at assisting Small Business Enterprises (SBE). They identified certain projects and business issues that could be best addressed by a collaborative. With matching funds from a state business development organization, Bay State Manufacturing Networks Program, and with many hours of planning and coordination the Massachusetts Ocean Technology Network (MOTN) was born. A progress report on how well MOTN is doing, what could be done to improve MOTN, and how others can form similar networks are discussed in detail.