The Ocean Startup Project this week announced 16 companies selected to participate in this year’s edition of the organization’s annual Ocean Startup Challenge.
Each startup is poised receive up to $25,000 in non-dilutive funding on top of a “comprehensive support package” designed to to accelerate the growth of ocean-focused solutions.
This year’s cohort represents “such a dynamic group of startups,” according to Natasha Legay, who serves the Ocean Startup Project as director of the Challenge.
This year, the Ocean Startup Challenge attracted more than 50 applications from across Canada.
“The creativity and passion these applicants and participants brought to the table this year is truly impressive,” said Legay.
“It’s inspiring to see how they’re tackling real-world ocean challenges head-on,” the Director added.
The chosen startups span various sectors of the blue economy, including sustainable seafood, renewable ocean energy, autonomous vessels, and marine biotechnology.
“By working closely with them, we’re gaining a much deeper understanding of the trends driving innovation in the sector, as well as the unique hurdles these early-stage companies face,” stated Legay. “This insight helps us better support them, not just through the competition, but as they continue to grow and address critical global ocean issues.”
Given British Columbia’s substantial coastline, as well as the province’s humming innovation ecosystems in Vancouver and Victoria, it’s no surprise that nearly half of this year’s Ocean Challenge cohort hails from the Wet Coast.
These startups include Celerity Craft, Eagle Eyes Search, Fibr.Bio, Kelp Island, Miha Biotech, Ocean AID, and Seacork Studios.
Celerity is developing the Dynamic Air Cushion Vehicle, a marine vessel that reduces the environmental impact of marine transportation while delivering more efficient travel. Eagle Eyes transforms UAVs into intelligent assistants for public safety, while Fibr.Bio is pioneering sustainable performance fibres by turning organic bio-waste into a spandex alternative through advanced bacterial fermentation.
Kelp Island is innovating material design while Miha Biotech is crafting burn bandages from seaweed. Ocean AID is leveraging AI to empower decision-making in the marine sector. Seacork is another seaweed innovator, tapping the ocean tech for the development of biodegradable acoustic panels.
These startups will gain access during the Challenge to business development resources such as workshops, mentorship with industry experts, networking opportunities, and approximately $250,000 worth of in-kind support from partners across the country, including access to co-working spaces, facilities, and technical expertise.
Launched in 2020, The Ocean Startup Project leverages a network that includes Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Genesis, Creative Destruction Lab, Springboard, PEI BioAlliance, he New Brunswick Innovation Foundation, Technopole Maritime du Québec (TMQ), Invest Nova Scotia, and the Centre for Ocean Applied Sustainable Technologies.
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