Ocean Challenge: Boost
Dive into the next wave of innovation with the Ocean Challenge: Boost, a strategic initiative designed to propel the growth of our esteemed alumni. This exclusive program targets past victors and participants of the Ocean Startup Project, offering a unique opportunity for those actively navigating the journey of commercialization. By providing targeted follow-on funding, Ocean Challenge: Boost aims to bridge gaps and accelerate progress towards critical milestones. With a dedicated fund and a focus on impactful development activities, this initiative stands as a beacon for ocean tech entrepreneurs ready to amplify their impact and achieve new levels of success. Join us in this exciting chapter as we continue to support the brightest stars in the ocean technology sector, fostering growth, innovation, and sustainable success in the blue economy.
This program is designed as a follow-on fund and expedited challenge program aimed at providing a significant push—or bridge—to support our alumni in reaching near-term goals. It’s an invitation to dream bigger and reach further, faster. Eligible activities and expenses include: equipment, materials, subcontracting, and travel.
When considering applicants for the Ocean Challenge: Boost, several key factors play a pivotal role in our decision-making process. First and foremost, we evaluate the team’s composition, assessing whether the right individuals are in place—or have been identified—to successfully achieve the proposed milestones. Equally critical is the potential impact of the funding; we look for ventures where our financial support would significantly propel them towards meeting their near-term goals, which are crucial for their growth. The urgency and readiness to utilize the funding effectively and promptly for the proposed milestones also weigh heavily in our considerations. Lastly, we take a close look at the progress each team has made since their last engagement with OSP programming, as this gives us insight into their dedication and trajectory towards success.
Take your startup to new heights – discover how Ocean Challenge: Boost can help you achieve your immediate goals
Exclusive Invitation for Alumni
Ocean Challenge: Boost is an exclusive follow-on funding opportunity, specifically designed for alumni of the Ocean Startup Project’s past challenges and programs. If you’ve previously won or participated and are actively pursuing commercialization, this program is tailored for you, offering a unique chance to propel your venture forward.
Showcase Your Progress
Selected teams will be invited to an invite-only session where they will have the opportunity to present their progress since their last engagement with OSP. This is your stage to highlight achievements, learnings, and how you’ve navigated the path to commercialization, setting the scene for your next big leap.
Pitch for Funding
During the evaluation session, you’ll pitch the specific product or customer development activities you plan to undertake with the potential funding. This is a critical moment to convince the evaluators of the impact this funding could have on your venture, detailing the milestones you aim to achieve by the set deadline.
Targeted Financial Support
With a budget assigned for a specific initiative, eligible companies can receive up to $5,000 in funding to cover the expense(s). This direct financial support is designed to minimize administrative burdens, allowing you to focus on achieving meaningful business milestones that can significantly advance your company’s position in the market.
Spotlight on success – discover the innovators propelled by Ocean Challenge: Boost funding
PhyCo
Location: Charlottetown, Vancouver, British Columbia, Prince Edward IslandStatus: AlumniA natural bio-based plastic derived from seaweed
Received funding from Boost to Initiate pilot project to map Sargassum hotspot in collaboration with First Nations and technology partners, and begin development and testing to determine prototype composition with new species,
Miha Biotech
Location: QuebecStatus: AlumniDeveloping a seaweed-based wound dressing solution that improves the healing process and reduces subsequent scarring
Received funding from Boost to develop and test initial prototype and use insights to inform future patent application and IP strategy
Ocean AID
Location: British ColumbiaStatus: AlumniHarnessing the power of sonar with AI to create an Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) system for detecting underwater objects in real-time.
Received funding from Boost to collect additional sonar data to augment training datasets and scale AI models to detect more ocean objects, and commercialize first product using combination of in-house software and off-the-shelf hardware
Integrative Nanotech Ltd.
Location: Halifax, Nova ScotiaStatus: AlumniA novel EI spectroscopy based sensor with efficient ocean sensing capabilities
Received funding from Boost to Integrate high-performance mass flow controllers into latest version of prototype to help achieve DOE spec requirements for technology
Rising Tide BioAcoustics
Location: Dartmouth, Nova ScotiaStatus: AlumniRising Tide BioAcoustics (Dartmouth, NS) provides acoustic systems for fish deterrence, guidance and attraction, marine mammal deterrence, and control/eradication of invasive species.
Received funding from Boost to develop simulation of cruise ship generator noises to model the performance of underwater noise cancellation and collect data for future pilot project
Technologies de pêche Aquarius
Location: Sherbrooke, QuebecStatus: AlumniDeveloping a technology to avoid trawler seabed scraping and reduce fuel consumption in the fishery industry
Received funding from Boost to confirm selection of MVP components and begin purchasing key equipment
qualiTEAS
Location: St. John’s, Newfoundland & LabradorStatus: AlumniqualiTEAS is a corrosion inspection and management company. Our vibrant material research team has expertise ranging from material science to programming. Our proactive chemical approach towards corrosion inspection identifies the specific type and degree of corrosion. Our services also include additional environmental analysis (chemical and microbial analysis of soil and water), which provides information on the origin and further impacts of (due to) any ongoing corrosion issue.
Received funding from Boost to hire a business development subcontractor to identify and initiate conversations with potential customers in the Canadian market
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Blue Lion Labs
Location: Kitchener, OntarioStatus: AlumniBlue Lion Labs is developing a system to automatically identity and count different types of algae in your water through the power of Artificial Intelligence and unique data collection. Through revolutionary technology built based on established research at the University of Waterloo, Blue Lion Labs aims to change the way we protect our water globally forever.
Received funding from Boost to advance MVP development
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nditive3D
Location: St. John’s, Newfoundland & LabradorStatus: AlumniA digital twin-driven system for real-time monitoring of the hazardous gases in marine operations
Received funding from Boost to purchase equipment for further development of MVP 3.0, and initiate patent application process with legal firm
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ASL Energy (Composite Mats Canada Inc.)
Location: St. John’s, Newfoundland & LabradorStatus: AlumniA modular runway system for remote and northern communities made from recyclable materials
Received funding from Boost to Integrate scale into mobile recycling solution
Learn moreBioLabMate
Location: St. John’s, Newfoundland & LabradorStatus: AlumniReplacing single-use plastic waste from research labs and medical facilities, using ocean-based materials for a greener future
Received funding from Boost to conduct research and lab-scale testing of MVP at the Verschuren Centre
IceCube
Location: Newfoundland & LabradorStatus: AlumniMemorial University: Shipborne Data Acquisition system for Arctic Autonomous Shipping
Received funding from Boost to integrate new equipment into Ice Cube product to enable demonstration with key potential customers