DIF Registration Open

Hello,

The Blue Venture Forum and Undersea Technology Innovation Consortium (UTIC) are pleased to announce that registration (for attendees and exhibitors) is now open for the Defense Investment Forum (DIF) '26. See below for more information and a link to register. We've also included photos from last year's event below.

Don't forget to register for BlueTIDE, the premier in-water demonstration event organized by Polaris Tech Bridge. The event takes place on August 26 & 27 and it's a can't miss for the industry. See below for more information and a link to register.

Upcoming Events:

BlueTIDE 2026, August 26 & 27

Defense Investment Forum: October 28th, 2026, Wyndham Newport Hotel, Middletown, RI. Register today!

We look forward to seeing you at one of these amazing events!

In the meantime, if you have information to share with the bluetech community, please send it to: info@blueventureforum.org.

Defense Investment Forum (DIF)

Ensuring Maritime Supremacy Through Innovation

Co-Organizers UTIC and the BVF

Wyndham Newport Hotel, Middletown, RI

8:00AM-6:30PM

October 28, 2026

Registration to attend or exhibit is now open!

The Defense Investment Forum (DIF) is dedicated to exploring geopolitical developments, emerging technologies, and capital trends shaping the future of maritime defense. Bringing together investors, naval and maritime industry leaders, government stakeholders, founders, and strategic partners, the forum serves as a platform for high-level discussion on emerging opportunities across autonomous systems, subsea technologies, maritime cybersecurity, dual-use innovation, ocean surveillance, resilient supply chains, and next-generation defense infrastructure.

If your company is interested in applying to deliver a Flashtalk, please email info@blueventureforum.org the following information: Name, Title, Company, URL, description of your product/service, and stage of investment. The application period will close at 5:00PM, September 18.

We expect this event to sell out, so please register as soon as possible.

See below for pictures from last year's DIF.

For more information and to register click here

BlueTIDE 2026

BlueTIDE is an annual, high-impact technology demonstration event hosted by Polaris Tech Bridge (formerly 401 Tech Bridge) in collaboration with the U.S. Navy, and the Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Division Newport. Held in Newport, Rhode Island, BlueTIDE is the premier platform for showcasing cutting-edge maritime and dual-use technologies through live, mission-driven demonstrations.

Key Features of BlueTIDE:

In-Water Demonstration: Selected companies participate in a collaborative integration scenario, designed with DoD input, and demonstrate their technologies as they gain access to key decision makers and receive evaluation feedback from DoD representatives.
Showcase Alley: Innovators from around the world present dual use solutions, through static displays or shoreside, hands-on testing (separate from the in-water demonstration), attracting interest from potential customers and partners – including investors.
Networking: Department of Defense officials, industry leaders, investors, and academic researchers are ready to connect and collaborate with event participants.
Data Collection and Analysis: The data that’s generated during BlueTIDE’s Collaborative Integrated Opportunity will provide feedback and validation of technological capabilities.
Funding: BlueTIDE has been instrumental in helping participating companies secure capital funding and grants to support the advancement and commercialization of their technologies. Additionally, selected In-Water Demonstration participants may be eligible for funding support.