The Ocean Startup Project has selected 30 idea and early stage ocean technology startups for the Ocean Startup Challenge.
Up to $700,000 will be distributed to the winners, plus additional program benefits such as mentorship, networking, events, and workshops.
“It is invigorating and exciting to review such cutting-edge ideas from new, early stage ocean technology startups,” stated Don Grant, Executive Director at the Ocean Startup Project. “The potential for these ventures to make a significant impact on the health of the oceans is enormous.”
The Challenge initially received 90 applications from across the country, with a significant increase in British Columbia applicants—up 233% compared to the 2021 intake. 15 startups from BC made the shortlist.
“They are nimble, innovative, and have the passion and fortitude to [be] globally competitive,” Grant said of the startups.
The Ocean Startup Project is a national initiative that launched the Ocean Startup Challenge in 2020. Program alumni have created more than 100 jobs nationally and raised more than $10 million in equity investment and $9 million in non-dilutive funding since working with the Ocean Startup Project.
“With the momentum we are seeing in the national ocean startup ecosystem, Canada’s Blue Economy is set to grow exponentially,” Grant believes.
The eight challengers from BC are:
7 Leagues Leather – Vancouver
Eco-luxury wholesale fish leather textiles for business-to-business and vertically integrated custom-made fish leather goods, all upcycled from food processing waste.
Canadian Pacifico Seaweeds – Surrey
Kelp expert Pacifico has developed a remote and real-time environmental and structural farm monitoring system.
Dasivedo Design – Surrey
Dasivedo has designed novel wind-assisted technology for ships.
Intel Vision Technologies – Vancouver
An intelligent remotely operated vehicle for underwater welding operations, a notoriously dangerous task for human workers.
OnDeck Fisheries AI – Vancouver
OnDeck makes fisheries monitoring scalable with artificial intelligence: reducing compliance costs for fishers while enabling better insight for fisheries management and conservation.
PhyCo – Vancouver
PhyCo renders a natural bio-based plastic derived from seaweed.
Planette – Victoria
Planette has developed an intelligent, data-driven maritime climate risk assessment platform.
Swordfish Energy Corporation – Vancouver
Swordfish utilizes an underwater turbine to harness clean energy from oceans.
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