The Continuum was created when seven leading ocean-innovation organizations came together after receiving a $13.9 million NOAA grant to build a unified national platform for accelerating ocean enterprise ventures. By combining the strengths of research institutions, startup incubators, and industry coalitions, they provide structured programming, mentorship, and resources to entrepreneurs focused on marine data, sustainability, and ocean enterprise. The Continuum’s goal is to catalyze growth in the ocean economy by streamlining access to accelerators, capital, expertise, and collaborative opportunities.

The Continuum sought the support of our agency to clearly articulate a unified identity for a newly formed coalition of the seven distinct ocean-innovation organizations. While each partner—spanning accelerators, research institutions, and ocean-economy leaders—brought its own strengths, The Continuum’s challenge was to communicate that this initiative was not simply a loose network, but a collective whose impact was greater than the sum of its parts. With diverse stakeholders, overlapping missions, and multiple program offerings emerging at once, they needed cohesive messaging, brand clarity, and a compelling narrative that would resonate with their target audiences.

Building an Identity

We began by developing the foundational brand work that would unify The Continuum’s diverse partner network under a single, coherent identity. We conducted a SWOT analysis to identify The Continuum's unique advantages and potential vulnerabilities and examined their key challenges, with the knowledge that the seven entities still operate on their own and will need to work within The Continuum brand. These insights informed the creation of a brand platform, defining core messaging, and establishing a clear strategic narrative that articulated who The Continuum is and what it stands for. These elements became the guiding framework for all subsequent creative and communications efforts.

Scaling Reach through Design

With the foundation in place, we produced a range of strategic materials to bring the brand to life. This included designing a unique partner seal that participating organizations could use to visually signify their connection to The Continuum. Additionally, we crafted one-sheets, rack cards, and polished sales collateral that distilled complex program details into accessible, compelling formats and could be used as tools that supported outreach, partnership development, and on-the-ground engagement. We also developed a comprehensive presentation template system, enabling team members across all partner organizations to easily create visually compelling, brand-consistent presentations tailored to different audiences and purposes

A New Digital Home

Finally, we designed and developed The Continuum’s website, establishing a modern and authoritative digital home for the initiative. The site serves as the central platform for telling their story, showcasing the partner organizations, and guiding entrepreneurs, funders, and stakeholders through their programs and offerings. Built with usability and flexibility in mind, the website became the anchor of The Continuum’s public presence.