NEWPORT, R.I., Sept. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Spear AI received the BlueTIDE Maritime Defense Innovation Award at Polaris Tech Bridge’s BlueTIDE 2026 event, held Thursday, Aug. 27.

Spear AI at Polaris Tech Bridge's BlueTIDE 2026

Spear AI competed in the Counter UxS & Defensive Autonomous Systems technical focus area, which showcased solutions enabling the detection, identification, tracking, and mitigation of unmanned threats across operational environments. The award recognizes Spear AI as the top performer among the companies that demonstrated in the Counter UxS technical category.

A group of subject matter experts evaluated participants based on their original applications, test plans, and in-person visits to each booth throughout the day.

“We’re excited to be recognized by Polaris Tech Bridge and the BlueTIDE evaluation panel. The opportunity to talk to real users of our technology was incredible,” said Michael Hunter, CEO and Co-Founder of Spear AI.

“This recognition reflects what we’ve believed from day one. We’re solving the right problem, at the right time, for the people who need it most,” said John McGunnigle, Executive Chairman and Co-Founder of Spear AI.

BlueTIDE 2026, hosted by Polaris Tech Bridge, brought together a select group of finalists across multiple technical focus areas to demonstrate maritime defense technologies for the broader defense community in Newport.

About Spear AI
Spear AI specializes in artificial intelligence and machine learning solutions tailored for maritime defense and national security operations. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with offices in Falmouth, MA; Groton, CT; and Duluth, MN, Spear AI develops advanced software platforms and integrated maritime sensor systems, and provides engineering support services and subject matter expertise. Spear AI was co-founded in 2021 by Navy veterans and is venture-backed by Cortical Ventures and Scare the Bear Capital. For more information, visit Spear.ai.

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