About Us
Fostering Breakthroughs in Dual-Use Technology and the Blue Economy
Polaris Tech Bridge, formerly 401 Tech Bridge, empowers tech companies and established small businesses to bridge the gap between discovery and market success. By connecting innovators with makerspaces, strategic partners, and pathways to government contracts, we equip national defense, dual-use, and maritime technology ventures in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut with the resources they need to turn ideas into viable products.
Our team works alongside entrepreneurs, including those from non-traditional industries, to accelerate technology commercialization and open doors to new opportunities in the blue economy.
Polaris Tech Bridge and Polaris MEP are two parts of Polaris. Polaris aims to be a driving force in Rhode Island’s economy through advancing manufacturing, workforce development, and technology.
Meet Our Team
Our team brings deep expertise in dual-use technology and blue economy commercialization.
Our Mission
Our mission is to be the intersection between businesses, government agencies and programs, and academic institutions, accelerating the development of new technologies in the blue economy (blue tech), and stimulating economic growth for the state of Rhode Island.
Our Partners
Powering Innovation with Collaborative Support from Leading Organizations
Polaris Tech Bridge is a business unit of The University of Rhode Island Research Foundation, and receives support from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NIST MEP), the Office of Naval Research, the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, The Rhode Island Foundation, and the Van Beuren Charitable Foundation.
