The fifth cohort of Ocean Startup Project’s Lab2Market Oceans/Validate program has begun work with 21 new teams that aim to tackle challenges in the blue economy.

The eight-week program, hosted by Memorial University in Newfoundland and Labrador, is designed to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset among postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and faculty.

By providing expert-led training, mentorship, and strategic guidance, the program empowers teams of researchers to reimagine their ocean research concepts and uncover potential commercialization pathways, the group said in a press release.

Participants receive a $15,000 stipend for the program, which is part of the national Lab2Market network.

 "Since launching in 2020, we have supported 96 early-stage research teams, helping them explore pathways to transform their innovations into real-world impact,” said Paula Mendonça, Executive Director of the Ocean Startup Project, which aims to drive innovation nationally across the ocean economy.

“Importantly, we have also seen a remarkable increase in gender diversity, with participation from individuals identifying as women rising from 11 percent in 2020 to an average of 27 percent over five years…"

This year’s recruitment process attracted 51 applications from 12 post-secondary institutions, the group said. As a result, 21 teams from four universities across four provinces – British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and Newfoundland and Labrador – have been selected. This time, many of the top applicants came from Newfoundland.

Mendonça,said the group is currently expanding its activities. Last November, the group hosted its first Ocean Startup Activator on PEI, in partnership with UPEI's Catherine Callbeck Centre for Entrepreneurship and PEIBA. (PEI BioAlliance).

The event introduced the blue economy to individuals who might not have otherwise been aware of its potential, Mendonça said. The group is now planning to host its second Ocean Startup Activator in Newfoundland and Labrador next month, in partnership with Genesis and others. The activators will later be expanded across the country.

“They are a key part of our strategy to inspire and empower the next generation of ocean innovators,” she said.

Here are the members of the latest cohort:

Steel Catenary Riser Tracking – AI-powered AUV for real-time monitoring of underwater risers, Memorial University

Wave Smart – Smart energy management system for efficient electric boat navigation, Memorial University

AquaVision AI – AI-driven biofouling detection for reduced maintenance costs, Memorial University

KelpAI – AI and satellite monitoring for kelp forest conservation, Memorial University 

Land to Sea – A Bioalliance for a Sea of Hope - Tackling hydrocarbon contamination in marine environments, York University

Multi-Omics AI – AI-driven detection and mitigation of harmful plankton blooms, Memorial University

Subseaify – 3D visualization and localization of underwater assets, Memorial University

Marine Bioindustries Ltd. – Sustainable cell-based seafood alternatives, Memorial University

AdaptMe – AI-driven ice management training for seafarers, Memorial University

Chainfare – Blockchain-based security for maritime transactions, Memorial University 

WaveMoveCharge Solutions – Wave-powered charging and propulsion for electric boats, Memorial University

AquaFishSense – AI-powered fish mapping for sustainable fisheries, Memorial University

Underwater Electric Drones – Advanced DC-DC converter for extended drone operation, Memorial University

iMech Solutions – AI-driven material testing for faster, sustainable innovation, York University

Bio-Stat-Green Consulting – Eco-friendly patio umbrella made from microalgae, York University

SOLIDS – Smart maritime communication for seamless connectivity, University of Victoria

PoseidonPulse – Real-time water quality monitoring for aquaculture and communities, University of Victoria

TriSource Power Solutions – Hybrid renewable energy converter for remote power supply, Memorial University

MicroTrap – 3D-printed microfiber filter to reduce ocean pollution, University of Alberta

WaveLink Power – High-efficiency wave energy conversion technology, Memorial University

SolarSail – Weather-resistant dual-axis solar tracking for ships, Memorial University