Canada’s Centre for Ocean Applied Sustainable Technologies is accepting applications for the second cohort of Blue Action Canada.
Blue Action Canada is a “hyper-focused” ocean venture accelerator for early-stage startups in the blue economy.
The accelerator is powered by COAST alongside startup investor Founders Factory, climate investor Blue Action, and the Canadian Ocean Supercluster.
“The blue economy represents one of the most significant growth opportunities of the next decade,” posits Founders Factory president George Northcott, “from maritime decarbonization and sovereign shipbuilding to the emergence of new technologies for defence and security/dual-use.”
This year the Blue Action Canada program will select up to eight ventures focused on maritime and port innovation, coastal infrastructure and adaptation, nature and biodiversity and defence or dual-use technologies.
The program will support founding teams over a four-month program with emphasis on operations, product development, technology, customer discovery, commercialization, and fundraising.
Kendra MacDonald, chief executive officer of the Canadian Ocean Supercluster, says that the program is “building on our capacities in the future of ports, coastal adaption, biodiversity, dual use and defence, and other areas that are critical to environment, security, and economy.”
Last year’s pilot cohort of ocean innovators included Ocean AID, marine solar panel startup Open Waters Solar, marine renewable energy companies Swordfish Energy, next-gen marine vessel developer Celerity Craft, and seaweed acoustic panel innovator Seacork Studio.
“Canada has all the ingredients to lead the next wave of the global blue economy,” suggests Blue Action chairman Rupert Hayward, pointing to “world-class research, deep maritime expertise, and an extraordinary coastline.”
Launched in 2023, Blue Action Accelerator is a collaboration between Founders Factory and Bahamas-based ocean hub Blue Action. Blue Action Canada was launched in 2025 during the COAST catalyst phase supported by PacifiCan and the BC Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions. COAST launched in 2021 as an initiative of the South Island Prosperity Partnership.
“With over 25,000 km of coastline, 15 research and academic centers, and burgeoning ocean tech innovation, B.C. is uniquely positioned for blue economy leadership in advanced technology areas of defence, autonomy, marine renewable and ocean intelligence,” remarked Burak Evren, Director of Programming and Investment at COAST.
Since 2015, Founders Factory’s 450 portfolio companies have raised over $4 billion follow-on funding from leading funds and investors.
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