Press Release ·
PamliEcoConnect Selected for NOAA and VentureWell Ocean Enterprise Accelerator to Advance Zero-Emission Coastal Transit and Marine Research
PamliEcoConnect is one of 23 ocean technology companies selected nationwide for the Ocean Enterprise Accelerator, operated by VentureWell in partnership with NOAA.
EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA & OUTER BANKS. — September 28, 2026 — PamliEcoConnect, a North Carolina startup is developing high-speed electric hydrofoil watercraft. It was recently selected to join the prestigious Ocean Enterprise Accelerator Program, operated by VentureWell in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
PamliEcoConnect is one of 23 ocean technology companies chosen nationwide to enter the multi-stage accelerator, which connects high-impact blue economy startups with federal research networks, commercialization mentorship, and non-dilutive grant funding.
Proven Accelerator Success in Electric Maritime Innovation
VentureWell’s accelerator model has a track record of supporting disruptive maritime innovations, including early foundational backing for marine robotics and electric hydrofoil pioneers such as Navier founder Dr. Sampriti Bhattacharyya. PamliEcoConnect’s selection marks a continuation of this innovation pipeline, focusing on scaling U.S.-built, PVSA-compliant electric hydrofoil platforms for practical, real-world regional deployment.
Addressing Dual Challenges: Coastal Resilience and Ocean Science
Flagship sea trials and operations would run between Pamlico County and Hatteras Island in Dare County, North Carolina. Manufacturing is expected to begin at the Beaufort County seat of Washington NC. PamliEcoConnect is engineering zero-emission electric hydrofoils designed to fly above the water on underwater wings, reducing hydrodynamic drag and energy consumption by up to 90% compared to conventional combustion displacement vessels. The vessels serve a dual-purpose mission for Eastern North Carolina:
This federal partnership helps us drive three key regional pillars:
1️⃣ Resilient Island Transit: Providing fast, quiet waterborne transport across the Pamlico Sound—offering a vital alternative transport link for emergency services, commuters, and visitors when Highway 12 washes out.
2️⃣ High-Speed Ocean Science: Serving as ultra-quiet, zero-emission mobile field stations that can reach the Gulf Stream from Buxton Harbor in ~45 minutes for oceanographic monitoring without the heavy carbon footprint of traditional diesel ships.
3️⃣ STEM & Advanced Maritime Workforce: Partnering with students from high school vocational tracks up to post-graduate engineering programs to help Eastern North Carolina grow as an active, real-world laboratory for cutting-edge maritime technology and clean energy careers.
Accelerator Pathway and Federal Pipeline
Through the Ocean Enterprise Accelerator, PamliEcoConnect will participate in technical and market validation workshops while competing for up to $140,000+ in non-dilutive grant funding. The program also provides an expedited pathway for federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants and direct collaboration with NOAA oceanographers.
"VentureWell’s track record in helping early-stage hydrofoil and marine robotics founders scale speaks for itself," said Jay Phillips at PamliEcoConnect. "Their partnership with NOAA gives us the ideal runway to prove our vessels not only as a crucial, clean, redundant layer of transportation for Outer Banks Island communities, but also as a high-speed mobile field station for vital Atlantic ocean research. Road access to Hatteras Island has been disrupted for almost a full week now due to a large Nor’easter highlighting how it would be useful today", says Phillips.
For more information regarding PamliEcoConnect, local transit routes, or marine research partnerships, visit pamliecoconnect.com.
Media & Press Contact:
Vail Dixon – Public Relations
Jay Phillips – Founder & CEO
PamliEcoConnect
Buxton, NC
Phone: 252-552-5551
Email: press@pamliecoconnect.com