British Columbia is doubling down on marine innovation with the launch of a new province-wide marine and coastal testbed, aimed at helping local technology companies develop and deploy solutions across one of the province’s most established industries.
The initiative, delivered through Innovate BC’s Integrated Marketplace program, is part of the Province’s broader “Look West” strategy and represents the seventh testbed in the program. It is designed to give B.C. companies real-world environments to test technologies spanning environmental monitoring, vessel optimization, coastal resilience, and marine electrification.
The testbed will support a wide range of emerging technologies, including marine robotics, offshore energy systems, ocean-observing tools, and supply chain innovations. It also reflects a growing emphasis on dual-use technologies that can serve both commercial and defence applications—an increasingly important focus as Canada looks to strengthen domestic capabilities and capture a larger share of federal defence spending.
“B.C.’s marine sector has deep roots in our province, and by partnering with our cutting-edge tech companies, we can help strengthen Canada’s defence capabilities while creating more good, family-supporting jobs,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth.
For B.C. startups and scaleups, the testbed provides a critical advantage: access to real-world validation. By testing technologies in active marine environments, companies can generate the reference cases needed to secure customers both locally and globally.
Three initial projects highlight the range of applications already underway.
In one, Metchosin-based KOTUG Canada is working with Offshore Designs and SC’IȺNEW First Nation to deploy underwater robotic vessel-cleaning technology. The system aims to improve fuel efficiency while reducing underwater noise, a key environmental concern for marine ecosystems.
Another project brings together Lax Kw’alaams First Nation, Ocean Aid, and Salmon Vision to combine traditional Indigenous fishing practices with AI-powered monitoring. The collaboration introduces a “digital weir” system that automates salmon population tracking, improving safety, reducing emissions, and supporting sustainable harvesting practices.
Meanwhile, Vancouver’s VoltSafe is piloting a smart shore-power solution at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club’s Jericho marina. The technology is designed to improve electrical safety while enabling lower-emission operations for smaller vessels.
“Through this new testbed, we’re creating real-world opportunities for made-in-B.C. solutions to be tested, adopted and deployed with key industry partners,” said Peter Cowan, President and CEO of Innovate BC.
The Integrated Marketplace program has already demonstrated its impact. Vancouver-based A&K Robotics, for example, expanded internationally after validating its mobility pods at Vancouver International Airport, while Victoria’s MarineLabs secured U.S. contracts following testing with the Prince Rupert Port Authority.
With the addition of the marine testbed, the Province is positioning B.C. as a global hub for ocean and coastal innovation—while tying economic growth to sustainability, Indigenous partnerships, and national sovereignty.
For Vancouver’s tech ecosystem, the message is clear: the ocean is becoming a proving ground for the next generation of made-in-B.C. technology.
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