The Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners has approved an 18-month pilot project for $350,000 with Lux Bio through its Blue Economy Incubator (BEI). As a leader of the region’s blue economy, the Port of San Diego established its Blue Economy Incubator in 2016 as a launching pad for sustainable, ocean-based technology ventures.
Lux Bio is a for-profit venture pioneering a safer, cleaner alternative to conventional glow sticks. Glow sticks are a long-standing source of marine pollution and an everyday tool used in fishing, emergency response, defense, and public events. Lux Bio’s product replaces toxic chemicals and single-use plastics with a bioluminescent, non-toxic, and ocean-biodegradable lighting solution. For the Port of San Diego, investing in Lux Bio supports its core mission to protect the bay’s health while advancing practical innovation that serves working waterfront industries and public safety needs.
Through a multi-phase pilot with commercial fishing research and development, Port events, and government partners, Lux Bio will validate real-world performance and environmental durability, ensuring the solution is ready for operational use. The company’s experienced leadership, patented technology, strong market traction, and clear environmental benefits make this investment both mission-aligned and economically promising for the Port and the broader blue economy.
“This pilot with Lux Bio reflects the kind of innovation the Port of San Diego is proud to support – protecting our bay while enhancing how people work, gather, and enjoy our waterfront,” said Chair Ann Moore, Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners. “As we focus on expanding coastal access and parks, investing in non-toxic, biodegradable lighting helps reduce marine pollution while keeping San Diego Bay safe, accessible, and vibrant for our community.”
“We’re proud to partner with the Port of San Diego’s Blue Economy Incubator,” said Paige Whitehead, CEO & Co-Founder of Lux Bio. “This validates Lux Bio’s bioluminescent platform as a safer, eco-friendly, cost-competitive alternative to chemical light sticks and more. We’re excited to pilot it across real-world operations – from commercial fishing to the Navy – and move one step closer to scaling globally.”
To date, the Board of Port Commissioners has approved 13 agreements with early-stage companies, including one re-investment, to launch innovative pilot projects, four of which have been completed.
