The Ocean Startup Project, a national industry group, has announced the 25 very early-stage companies chosen to participate in its Ocean Idea Challenge, which offers up to $7,000 of funding, as well as training and support services.
The Idea Challenge is a milestone-based accelerator program for entrepreneurs working on customer discovery and product-market fit, and for top-performing companies. It feeds into the more advanced Ocean Startup Challenge, which offers $25,000. This year’s companies were chosen out of a field of 56.
“The Ocean Idea Challenge is a testament to the incredible talent, innovative spirit and excitement within the ocean startup community,” said Paula Mendonça, the group’s executive director. “This program is nurturing the next wave of ocean startups, and the inspiring ideas we’ve seen speak volumes about the success of our continuum.
“As the ecosystem becomes increasingly self-sustaining, it’s clear that the future of ocean innovation is bright. We’re excited to support these startups and their contributions to the global Blue Economy.”
Companies based outside of Atlantic Canada had a stronger showing this year, according to the Ocean Startup Project. Twenty of the competitors are from outside the Atlantic provinces, four are from Newfoundland and Labrador and one is from New Brunswick.
Here’s a look at the young businesses:
Aeronovous
Newfoundland and Labrador
Aeronovous is creating an iceberg detection system that will use drones to enhance maritime safety and environmental monitoring.
Aethercom
Quebec
Aethercom hopes to solve the problem of unreliable and expensive maritime communication in remote ocean areas with the help of next-gen antennas.
Alberni Yachts
British Columbia
Alberni Yachts is building a zero-emissions vessel for the adventure sailing market.
Altair Robotics Solutions
Quebec
Altair is developing technology to detect and recover ghost fishing gear — equipment that has been lost by fishers.
Atlantic BioCorp
Newfoundland and Labrador
Atlantic BioCorp is turning fishery waste, such as crab shells, into raw materials.
Bio-Stat-Green Consulting
Ontario
Bio-Stat-Green is air purification technology that uses micro-algae.
Deepwater Robotics
Ontario
Deepwater is building a low-cost autonomous underwater vehicle for large-scale ocean exploration and monitoring.
Experimental Fluid Mechanics Platform (EFM)
Ontario
EFM is developing software to increase the efficiency of experiments in fluid mechanics research.
Fibr.Bio
British Columbia
Fibr.Bio is developing technology to convert organic bio-waste into a high-performance spandex alternative via bacterial fermentation.
FIMM
British Columbia
FIMM is developing specialized marine coatings formulated for better durability and antifouling protection.
FlowMotion
Ontario
FlowMotion is developing a turbine system for harvesting electricity from tides and river currents.
FrequenSea
Quebec
FrequenSea is developing technology to integrate near-real-time environmental data into navigation route optimization tools.
GPFED
Quebec
GPFED plans to use digital twin technologies based on artificial intelligence to enhance aquaculture production techniques, with the aim of lowering costs and producing higher-quality fish products.
GPROSYS Corp.
Ontario
GPROSYS is designing a resilient battery with smart control for use in extremely cold weather.
Miha Biotech
British Columbia
Miha is working on a new type of bandage that uses seaweed to smooth and treat burns.
Nabik Automations
Ontario
Nabik is developing underwater robotics technology for offshore marine vessel maintenance, with the goal of avoiding unnecessary time spent in dry dock.
OceanAM
New Brunswick
OceanAM is building a remotely operated vehicle for underwater maintenance work using metal additive manufacturing concepts.
Ocean Riot
Quebec
Ocean Riot sells automated technology for seafloor resource and biomass assessments using marine robotics and artificial intelligence.
OEEE – Oil Spill Detection Using Empowered Earth Eyes
Newfoundland and Labrador
OEEE is working on technology that uses satellite imagery and artificial intelligence to detect and observe oil spills.
Pinnacle Energy
Newfoundland and Labrador
Pinnacle hopes to address the energy constraint faced by remote and underserved communities via Triboelectric Nanogenerators, a process used to harvest ocean wave energy.
ReEng
Newfoundland and Labrador
ReEng is working on Hybrid Piezoelectric-Electromagnetic Vibration Energy Harvesters to harness vibrational energy from natural sources, such as ocean waves and wind flow.
Robonotic
Quebec
Robonotic is developing an artificial predator to detect and control aquatic invasive species.
Seacork Studio
British Columbia
Seacork makes biodegradable acoustic panels from local seaweed.
Technologies de pêche Aquarius
Quebec
Technologies de pêche Aquarius is developing a tool to hook on to fishing nets and lift them off the seabed, reducing environmental impacts and costs to fishers.
TRANQUILEAU
Quebec
TRANQUILEAU is developing a retractable cofferdam — a pump and dam combination used to keep areas dry below the waterline — to help protect coastal communities from climate change.
