The Victoria-based Centre for Ocean Applied Sustainable Technologies, or COAST, is getting a $2 million funding boost from the British Columbia government via its Innovative Clean Energy Fund.
Created in 2021 and operated by regional business group the South Island Prosperity Partnership, COAST is developing into the main innovation hub for the blue economy on Canada's West Coast. It said in a statement the new funding will go towards building out its operation.
The Innovative Clean Energy Fund investment is part of a broader, joint funding partnership with Sustainable Development Technology Canada that began in 2017, dubbed the B.C.-SDTC Joint Call Partnership.
“COAST is on an exciting journey to fulfill our 2030 vision to establish Pacific Canada as a world-leader in ocean technology innovations that create scaled economic and environmental impacts, especially new technologies focused on solving climate challenges and supporting sustainability across marine industries,” said CEO Emilie de Rosenroll.
Previously an economic development consultant for the province of Nova Scotia, Rosenroll also heads up the South Island Partnership — the name of which refers to Vancouver Island, where COAST is headquartered.
At COAST, her team is shopping for a physical location for their innovation hub, with plans to offer professional development training, mentorship and accelerator programming, as well as co-working facilities.
Open Ocean Robotics, one of COAST’s first member companies, also received $1.75 million to continue development of its solar-powered autonomous boats.
