THE PARTNERS
The origins of FATHOMWERX began in 2007 out of the annual Coastal Trident program which focused on Port of Hueneme’s maritime security posture in the aftermath of 9/11 and sought to facilitate stronger connections with local government entities and first responders, as well as meet federal US Coast Guard Port exercise requirements. This initial security initiative evolved into the MAST (Maritime Advanced Systems and Technology) Lab at the Port of Hueneme and several years of multi-jurisdictional exercises grew and excelled. In 2018 the program was taken to an entirely new level with the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division (NSWC PHD), and the Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) signing on and entering into a Partner Intermediary Agreement (PIA) designed to connect naval operational stakeholders with technical subject matter experts who might assist in developing solutions to address operational needs and brought millions of dollars of advanced equipment to support the incubation of high-tech solutions. The rapid growth of the Coastal Trident program facilitated the need for an enduring innovation and prototyping venue.
To that end, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was established in 2019 among the EDC, Matter Labs, NSWC PHD, and the Port of Hueneme, solidifying FATHOMWERX as one of the most cutting-edge community resources for technical innovation and capability transition. Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center became a party to this MOU shortly thereafter. Today, the lab is recognized as a high-performing NavalX Tech Bridge and designated Accelerate California: Inclusive Innovation Hub by the Governor’s Office of the Small Business Advocate (OSBA).
THE PORT OF HUENEME
The Port of Hueneme Provides a lab space for FATHOMWERX to live, offering 20,000 square feet dedicated to testing, prototyping, and innovation, with another 40,000 square feet of flex space for demonstrations, events, and exercises. ​As a Board member and engaged partner, the Port helps steer the lab’s mission to provide opportunities for local entrepreneurs to incubate cutting-edge technology for the Navy, maritime domain, and other industry sectors.
NSWC PHD
Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division (NSWC PHD), a component of the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), is a tenant command located at Naval Base Ventura County in Port Hueneme, California. In addition to its primary location at Port Hueneme, the division operates detachments at White Sands, New Mexico, and Virginia Beach, Virginia.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COLLABORATIVE
Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) is nonprofit focused on building a strong and healthy Ventura and Santa Barbara regional economy with a high quality of life and broadly shared opportunities by providing businesses, community partners and civic leaders the resources they need to succeed.
​EDC is the fiscal agent of FATHOMWERX and provides access to resources and no-cost business consulting through the region’s Small Business Development Center.
NAVFAC EXWC
Established in 2012, the Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center (NAVFAC EXWC), headquartered at Naval Base Ventura County, Port Hueneme, California, is a command of more than 1,200 dedicated federal civilian employees, contractors, and military personnel providing research, development, test, and evaluation, and in-service engineering to deliver specialized facility and expeditionary solutions to the warfighter. As NAVFAC’s only warfare center, our engineers, scientists, analysts, logisticians, contract specialists, and other professional personnel provide technology and unique, agile solutions for the warfighter that specifically focus on expeditionary, oceans, and shore needs from enduring bases to forward deployed expeditionary locations.
MATTER LABS
Matter Labs is an award-winning innovative think tank, startup studio, and consulting firm focused on leveraging emerging technologies to create positive impacts and drive change globally. The team at Matter Labs is deeply passionate about making a transformative impact on the world through cutting-edge innovations. With strategic partnerships and collaborative efforts, such as FATHOMWERX, Matter Labs continuously pushes the boundaries of introducing groundbreaking innovations to the market.