About BLUEiQ

Transforming undersea sound into actionable intelligence

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The BLUEiQ Team standing on a dock.

What we do

At the heart of our team lies a dynamic blend of seasoned professionals and visionary innovators, committed to pushing the boundaries of technology and business development.

Our team is composed of veterans in business development and technical leadership, boasting extensive experience across relevant sectors. We bring unparalleled expertise and strategic insight, ensuring robust growth and sustained success.

We are driven by a proven track record of innovation and entrepreneurship within the technology domain.

Our passion for innovating new solutions and ventures fuels our commitment to excellence and continuous improvement.

Our strength lies in our ability to cultivate and lead high-performing teams. We are dedicated mentors and adept team builders, fostering a culture of collaboration, growth, and achievement.

As wizards in technological innovation, we are at the forefront of driving advancements in the field of sensors and sensing. Our relentless pursuit of cutting-edge solutions propels us to set new standards and shape the future of technology.

BLUEiQ’s s based in Boston, Massachusetts, Newport, Rhode Island, and Gulfport, Mississippi

Our Values

Innovation

Leveraging advanced AI and edge computing to create cutting-edge solutions for underwater acoustic monitoring.

Experience

A wealth of knowledge and expertise in marine technology, defense, and environmental monitoring.

Commitment

Focused on protecting marine ecosystems, enhancing port security, and improving operational efficiency.

Collaboration

Working closely with customers to tailor solutions that meet their specific needs and challenges.

Meet the Founders

Sea-Level Experts

At BLUEiQ, we are charting new frontiers in acoustic AI sensing and edge intelligence, redefining how we understand and interact with the underwater sound world. Our team is a fusion of seasoned experts, visionary innovators, and relentless problem-solvers, united by a mission to push the boundaries of technology for defense, maritime security, and biodiversity intelligence.

Kim Gavin, CEO
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From space satellites to seafloor sensing, Kim has spent 20+ years pushing the boundaries of sensor innovation, tech transition, and strategic growth across government, industry, and think tanks. A leader in emergent technologies, she thrives on turning cutting-edge research into real-world impact. As a mentor ambassador for women in science and technology, she’s not just shaping the future—she’s driving BLUEiQ to redefine persistent sensing with innovative impact.

Rob McGurrin, CTO
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With 20+ years of expertise in underwater acoustics and signal processing, Rob leads the technical development of OpenEar technology, driving innovation from R&D to real-world deployment. A proven innovator with patented advancements, his work bridges cutting-edge AI sensing with practical solutions. Passionate about maritime domain awareness and noise pollution reduction, Rob ensures BLUEiQ’s technology is both impactful and mission-driven.

Awards

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August 1, 2024

2024-2025 Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) Incubator

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August 29, 2024

2024 Office of Naval Research (ONR) RISE-UP Technology Implementation Award - Winner

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October 7, 2024

2024 Ocean Exchange Award - Finalist

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January 15, 2025

BLUEiQ Awarded CRADA by NOAA in January 2025

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Testimonials

A Ripple Effect

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I am the program manager for the University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Blue Navigator Business Accelerator and the Unmanned Coast US Small Business Administration Regional Innovation Cluster. I was on the selection committee that chose BLUEiQ for one of 6 spots from a nationwide pool of over 200 blue economy startups for our intensive, results-focused accelerator. During the 4-month program, BLUEiQ developed local projects for port security, national defense, marine mammal protection, and aquaculture. Their unique acoustic technology has broad applications and they showed an amazing ability to pivot to different customer needs in a variety of domains avoiding the mentality of "when you have a hammer every problem is a nail" that so often is a challenge with startups. I can emphatically recommend BLUEiQ when you need results and the environment is challenging. Even though their OpenEar product is housed in a ruggedized case, their thinking and solutions are way outside of the box.
Joel Lawhead, PMP, GISP Director at NVision, Director
Gulf Blue
BLUEiQ participated in Gulf of Maine Research Institute's BlueTech Boost Incubator, a 10-week program tailored to support early-stage BlueTech companies in the Northeast Atlantic region. The program provided mentorship, grant funding, and GMRI research staff as technical advisors. During their participation, BLUEiQ focused on developing their v1 prototype, crafting a plan for in-water testing, and honing their product-market fit. The team demonstrated professionalism, eagerness, and ambition. Kim and Rob, who have a longstanding collaborative track record, showcased a robust partnership. While still early in their journey, they have made significant strides, securing strong traction through early pilots and refining their business model. We admire their mission, which aligns closely with our research focus at GMRI. They established a positive rapport with our science team, suggesting potential for future research collaborations. We enthusiastically support their progress!
Lucy Barrett Program Manager
Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI)
I mentored the BlueIQ team for several months as part of the Blue Excelerator program. Their advanced hydrophone is positioned to disrupt the stagnant hydrophone market by combining edge computing with low-power performance. Kim Gavin and Rob McGurrin are intelligent, focused, and committed to delivering a state-of-the-art acoustic solution that will expand ocean surveillance for multiple markets.
Kathryn Hautanen
Analog Devices Inc. (ADI)
I became acquainted with and later supported Kim Gavin via Clean Tech Open NE mentor program. I am quite impressed with her entrepreneurship and "emotional intelligence" as a startup founder. BlueIQ has potential and Kim is the type of founder that one could bet on.
Millicent Pitts CEO
Ocean Exchange
Their unique acoustic technology has broad applications and they showed an amazing ability to pivot to different customer needs in a variety of domains avoiding the mentality of "when you have a hammer every problem is a nail" that so often is a challenge with startups.
Joel Lawhead PMP
GISP
I am excited to be working with BlueiQ to see how their technology can benefit our animal care at Mississippi Aquarium. They are responsive, interested in helping, and eager to use their technology to benefit humans, animals, and the environment.
Alexa Delaune Chief Scientist and Veterinary Medicine
Mississippi Aquarium

Wave-Making Allies

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