The Emerging Company membership will help support early-stage companies focused on innovations to advance the Blue Economy. IOSTIA (IO-sha), the International Ocean Science and Technology Industry Association http://www.iostia.org, a 501(c)(6) industry association representing ocean or “blue” technology companies providing products and services to various maritime sectors, announced today a new category of membership to help support early-stage companies focused on innovations to advance the Blue Economy. The Emerging Company membership category is designed to give young and innovative blue tech companies a more manageable point of entry to take advantage of the wide array of business-oriented programs, workshops and networking opportunities offered through IOSTIA membership. The category is open to privately held and private-public partnership organizations developing disruptive technologies that advance the economic impact of the marine industry.