Author: Shauna Waterman

Canada’s Ocean Supercluster Launches Ocean AI 2025 Call for Proposals 

Canada's Ocean Supercluster>>Articles by: Shauna Waterman

April 16, 2025 
For Immediate Release 

(Ottawa, ON) – Canada’s Ocean Supercluster (OSC) has launched its Ocean AI 2025 Call for Proposals. This new call program is focused on fostering the accelerated development of new and innovative Artificial Intelligence (AI) projects within the ocean sector. 

Through its Ocean AI 2025 Program, the OSC will collaboratively invest with industry partners in successful project proposals. This Call for Proposals is designed to support innovative AI projects that drive growth, efficiency, and market expansion within the ocean sector, leveraging the recommendations set out in Charting the Course to 5X growth in Canada’s Ocean Economy. By providing targeted investment, this initiative enables organizations to harness AI’s potential to address complex challenges, enhance operational capabilities, and create new intellectual property that will contribute to the sector’s long-term competitiveness, ultimately strengthening its global leadership. 

As technological progress is reshaping industries at an unprecedented pace, AI stands out as a critical tool to drive operational efficiency, foster innovation, and enable companies to differentiate themselves in the global marketplace. This program will allow companies to not only enhance their immediate capabilities, but also their strategic planning and operations, positioning themselves at the forefront of this technological evolution. 

This Call for Proposals is a deadline-driven and competitive framework, providing companies seeking to co-invest with the OSC an avenue to enhance their AI knowledge and capabilities.  

The deadline for submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the Ocean AI 2025 Call for Proposals is May 16th, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. ADT/ 1:00 p.m. EDT/ 10:00 a.m. PDT. Full program guidelines can be found here. Complete EOI submissions must be submitted via email to ai@oceansupercluster.ca. To learn more about the Ocean AI 2025 Call for Proposals, join our webinar on April 25, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. ADT/12:00 p.m. EDT/9:00 a.m. PDT. 

Through Ambition 2035 and together with Canada’s ocean community, we are bold in our ambition to grow Canada’s ocean economy 5X to $220 billion by 2035. Continued investment in the accelerated development and commercialization of globally relevant, made in Canada ocean solutions will help us realize this ambition. Read more about the recommendations to help achieve this transformational growth opportunity outlined in Charting the Course to 5X Growth in Canada’s Ocean Economy.    

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About Canada’s Ocean Supercluster 

 
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster accelerates the development and commercialization of made-in-Canada ocean solutions in energy transition, food security, future of transport, and climate change while also growing more companies, creating more jobs, and attracting ocean talent. As Canada’s national ocean cluster, the OSC is a convenor of members, partners, and networks and a catalyst for transformative growth that helps build the robust ecosystem needed to help realize Ambition 2035 – a 5X growth potential in ocean in Canada by 2035. To date, the OSC has approved more than 120 projects valued at more than $500 million, which will deliver more than 300 new made-in-Canada ocean products, processes, and services to sell to the world.

Media Contact:  
Nancy Andrews  
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster  
nancy.andrews@oceansupercluster.ca 

Canada’s Ocean Supercluster Launches Insights Report on Canada’s Blue Bioeconomy

Canada's Ocean Supercluster>>Articles by: Shauna Waterman

For Immediate Release 
April 8, 2025 

(Ottawa, ON) – Today, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster (OSC), together with the National Blue Bioeconomy Steering Committee, launched Canada’s Blue Bioeconomy Insights Report. 

Only a fraction of Canada’s available marine resources, such as kelp and microalgae, are currently being utilized. These resources have immense potential to drive economic growth and ocean innovation by combining traditional practices with innovative technologies, allowing Canada to transform aquatic resources into high-value products like nutraceuticals, bio-based materials, pharmaceuticals, and sustainable energy sources. 

Projections that the global seaweed industry alone will reach $28 billion annually by 2050 show there is substantial room for growth in the Blue Bioeconomy sector. Canada is uniquely positioned to lead the global transition to sustainable, science-driven aquatic industries, and innovations in aquaculture could allow Canada to bridge the gap between its current output and that of global leaders like Norway. 

Under the efforts to support Ambition 2035, a 5X growth potential for Canada’s ocean economy, The Blue Bioeconomy National Steering Committee was formed. With the insights outlined in this new report from industry leaders, researchers, Indigenous leaders, and government officials from across Canada, The National Steering Committee will release a Strategic Approach for Canada to help further shape the rapid growth opportunities in the Blue Bioeconomy – an approach required to realize these opportunities. 

A nationally connected Blue Bioeconomy strategy that leverages our strengths and addresses gaps will not only drive economic growth, but also contribute to environmental conservation and social well-being, positioning Canada as a global leader in this evolving field. 

Through Ambition 2035 and together with Canada’s ocean community, we are bold in our ambition to grow Canada’s ocean economy 5X to $220 billion by 2035. Continued investment in the accelerated development and commercialization of globally relevant, made-in-Canada ocean solutions will help us realize this ambition. Read more about recommendations to help achieve this transformational growth opportunity outlined in Charting the Course to 5X Growth in Canada’s Ocean Economy. 

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Media Contacts    
Nancy Andrews    
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster    
nancy.andrews@oceansupercluster.ca    

About Canada’s Ocean Supercluster     

Canada’s Ocean Supercluster accelerates the development and commercialization of made-in-Canada ocean solutions in energy transition, food security, future of transport, and climate change while also growing more companies, creating more jobs, and attracting ocean talent. As Canada’s national ocean cluster, the OSC is a convenor of members, partners, and networks and a catalyst for transformative growth that helps build the robust ecosystem needed to help realize Ambition 2035 – a 5X growth potential in ocean in Canada by 2035. To date, the OSC has approved more than 120 projects valued at more than $500 million, which will deliver more than 300 new made-in-Canada ocean products, processes, and services to sell to the world.

Quotes 

“Canada’s ocean sector has a 5X growth potential that can help transform our economy, creating more jobs and positioning Canada as a leader in ocean innovation. Focused efforts on policy development, infrastructure investment, and collaboration between industry leaders and research institutions is imperative to achieving this ambition, including a thriving blue bioeconomy. We are thrilled to put forth this insights report as a step toward fulfilling Canada’s full potential as an ocean nation.” – Kendra MacDonald, CEO, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster   

OSC Current Blog March 2025: Charting the Course to 2035 – A Platform for Canada’s Ocean Economy

Canada's Ocean Supercluster>>Articles by: Shauna Waterman

By:
Nancy Andrews
Chief Communications and Engagement Officer
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster

In 2022, in context of the projected $4 trillion CAD global ocean economy by 2030, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster and our country’s ocean community more broadly developed an ambition for our ocean economy called Ambition 2035. For the past couple of years, we’ve been working together to build awareness and a sense of urgency around this 5X growth potential for Canada. Together, we have reached tens of thousands of people across the country with this message, including business leaders, policymakers, and media. 

We know it’s in our ocean sector where some of the biggest opportunities for growth exist. As members of Canada’s ocean community, we know what 5X growth can mean for workers, companies, communities, market growth and competitiveness, building strategic partnerships and alliances, and developing more made-in-Canada ocean products and services to sell to the world. Now, as Canada is about to start a new chapter, and where priorities will be set to shape our country’s future, prioritizing the ocean economy and our shared message around it has never been more important.

Two weeks ago, we launched a platform for Canada’s ocean economy called Charting the Course to 2035. It is a platform based on the growth potential set out by Ambition 2035 and a sector that is poised to outpace the growth of the broader economy in the years to come. It provides ideas to help address some of the biggest opportunities and challenges we face as a country, build even stronger and diversified global partnerships, and help drive Canada’s economy forward. Charting the Course to 2035 is a tool that is available for you to use in the weeks and months ahead in conversations with decision makers and influencers across the country, and in particular, when asked if you have recommendations to share. If you haven’t already, you can download Charting the Course here.

The sustainable development of our ocean is one of the most important opportunities of our time. Now is the time to be bold and continue to build awareness, support, and momentum on the path to Ambition 2035. There are incredible things happening in Canada’s ocean sector, and you are an important part of that story. Let’s make sure that’s a story that’s being told. Let’s Chart the Course to 2035, together.

Canada’s Ocean Supercluster Launches the Ambition 2035 Awards to Recognize Top Innovators in the Ocean Industry 

Canada's Ocean Supercluster>>Articles by: Shauna Waterman

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
February 25, 2025 

[Ottawa, ON] – Today, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster (OSC) announced the launch of the Ambition 2035 Awards, a national competition to recognize innovative companies driving Canada’s ocean economy toward $220 billion. 

The Ambition 2035 Awards celebrates ocean companies that have demonstrated market need, scalability, commercial traction, and investment opportunity. Through a comprehensive judging panel, winners receive funding, mentorship, visibility, and access to global investors. Canadian companies developing innovative solutions for the ocean sector – from early-stage innovators to established leaders – are encouraged to apply and showcase their work on this national stage. 

The Ambition 2035 Awards includes three award categories, with prizes totaling $55,000.  

  • Blue Horizon Award – Recognizing established companies with commercial success and market leadership. ($30,000 CAD) 
  • Ocean Breakthrough Award – Celebrating emerging companies introducing breakthrough ocean solutions. ($20,000 CAD) 
  • People’s Choice Award – Awarded to the finalist with the most public engagement in a social media campaign. ($5,000 CAD) 

Finalists will receive full travel support to attend the Ambition 2035 Summit in Ottawa from May 21-23, where they will pitch their ideas directly to global investors and industry leaders. As well, they will receive expert coaching to strengthen investment pitches in advance of the Summit, and featured promotion across Canada’s Ocean Supercluster social channels as they compete for the People’s Choice Award. 

Applications open on February 25, 2025, with the application deadline on March 21, 2025. Finalists will be announced on April 25, 2025. 

To apply or learn more, visit: https://oceansupercluster.ca/ambition-2035-awards/

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Media Contacts    
Nancy Andrews    
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster    
nancy.andrews@oceansupercluster.ca    

About Canada’s Ocean Supercluster 

Canada’s Ocean Supercluster accelerates the development and commercialization of made-in-Canada ocean solutions in energy transition, food security, future of transport, and climate change while also growing more companies, creating more jobs, and attracting ocean talent. As Canada’s national ocean cluster, the OSC is a convenor of members, partners, and networks and a catalyst for transformative growth that helps build the robust ecosystem needed to help realize Ambition 2035 – a 5X growth potential in ocean in Canada by 2035. To date, the OSC has approved more than 100 projects which will deliver more than 220 new made-in-Canada ocean products, processes, and services to sell to the world. For more information visit oceansupercluster.ca    

Quotes 

“Canada has an opportunity to lead in the global ocean economy, and the Ambition 2035 Awards is our way of spotlighting the innovators who are making this possible,” says Kendra MacDonald, CEO of Canada’s Ocean Supercluster. “This initiative will bring visibility, investment, and growth opportunities to some of the most promising companies in the sector, while enabling overall growth of our ocean economy in line with Ambition 2035.” 

The OSC in 2025: Charting the Course to 2035

Canada's Ocean Supercluster>>Articles by: Shauna Waterman

By: Kendra MacDonald, CEO, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster

As the holidays now seem like a distant memory, the New Year is off to a busy start with exciting new project proposals under development, the announcement of new projects underway, and planning in full swing for our bi-annual Ambition 2035 Summit where we look forward to convening Canada’s ocean network behind one of the most important opportunities of our time.  

2025 is an important year. It marks just 10 years to our collective 5X growth ambition for Canada’s ocean economy, in the backdrop of a global ocean economy on the rise – expected to outpace the broader economy by 2030. And as Canada charts the course for what is next, the ocean economy is an important driver in the potential for economic growth, new jobs, increased productivity and competitiveness, thriving communities, and accelerating the development of more, made-in-Canada ocean technology to sell to the world. With a membership of 800 from across Canada, as well as associate membership world-wide, the OSC is one of the world’s largest blue clusters. With momentum behind us, now is the time. 

To date we have more than $500 million in announced and approved projects with partners and collaborators from different ocean sectors across the country. This month we have announced more than $9 million new in projects at an event at The Pier in Halifax, including the Amphibian UWILD Project and the AI-Powered Vessel Automation Toolkit Project from Marine Thinking, worth a combined $4.7 million, and the Forecast AI Project from MarineLabs worth $4.5 million, with more planned project announcements coming up in Ottawa in February and in Vancouver in March. 

You will find us participating at a number of key events in Canada and in global markets that you have identified as priority. In the coming weeks, this includes a session on Arctic ocean innovation at the Aqsarniit Conference in Ottawa, a dedicated ocean track at the Canada-in-Asia conference in Singapore, partnering in the delivery of sessions at Ocean Visions in Vancouver, and participating in Hannover Messe in Germany as a part of Canada’s host country programming.  

Our major, bi-annual Ambition 2035 Summit event will focus on action towards our collective goal of growing Canada’s ocean economy to $220 billion by 2035 – with the outcomes of research, reporting, and planning by national steering committees in key areas of growth, insights from global experts, and a look at  emerging, new opportunities, as well as a challenge competition soon to be launched for both early and mature companies. Stay tuned! 

If you are not yet a member of the OSC – now’s the time to get involved. Reach out to membership@oceansupercluster.ca, or visit Membership – Canada’s Ocean Supercluster. We’re excited to connect with you! 

If you have a project idea – we continue to accept project proposals through our continuous intake, core program. Please reach out to get started! 

Happy Holidays

Canada's Ocean Supercluster>>Articles by: Shauna Waterman

Happy Holidays from Canada’s Ocean Supercluster! Click above for a holiday message from our CEO, Kendra MacDonald, and check out some of our 2024 highlights below.  🌊

Ocean Talent: A Student Perspective 

Canada's Ocean Supercluster>>Articles by: Shauna Waterman

By Rhian Wallace, AI Ambassador in Residence, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster

When I was sorting through the available co-op positions for my university degree, I was met with a sea of finance and programming opportunities; none of which really appealed to me. So, when I saw the posting from Canada’s Ocean Supercluster (OSC), it felt like finding a needle in a haystack. I didn’t know if there would be an option where I could align my interests in environmental stewardship, data analysis, and communication, but there it was. Despite my area of study being statistics and environmental studies, the possibility of working in the blue economy was not even on my radar. In fact, I didn’t even know the term ‘blue economy’ existed until my first day with the OSC. 

I hit the ground running when I was pulled into an in-person event on that first day – the OSC’s Ambition 2035 Conference in Victoria. As I sat and listened to the discussions taking place, they began turning to the topic of talent in the ocean sector. People around the room were saying “hey, there’s jobs here, but students don’t think of us.” Unbeknownst to them, they were talking about me. That is, people like me – students that don’t think of the ocean sector when considering career paths. Knowing what I know now about the ocean economy, combined with my personal experience engaging in professional pursuits as a student, I’d have to agree. Canada is the most coastal country in the world, boasting the fourth largest ocean territory and coastline on three of its four borders, and yet there I was thinking that ocean careers were reserved for those in marine studies.  

Since that time, I’ve had an incredibly eye-opening experience working at the OSC. I’ve had the opportunity to learn about the work of Canadian ocean innovators and reflect on the systems that are built to support them. My role as the OSC AI Ambassador has given me a unique perspective into the potential of AI for the ocean sector and igniting those interests across multiple domains. 

Professionally, I’ve not only seen the high number of possibilities for ocean careers, but also the diversity of skills needed to grow a sustainable ocean economy. In the last month alone, I’ve recommended looking into work in the ocean sector to three of my job seeking friends, all who are considering vastly different career paths (software development, administration, and project management).  

Even though I’ve lived almost all my life in coastal cities, I never imagined I had the right skill set to bring to the ocean industry. Now that I’ve experienced it, I’ve seen many of the skillsets that are needed and the plethora of jobs available. My time as a co-op student with OSC has shown me that working in the ocean industry doesn’t have to mean being a marine biologist or a fisher, but it can mean supporting a positive impact on human-nature interactions, and on fostering systems of stewardship and sustainability, using the skills and interests I do have. 

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Canada's Ocean Supercluster>>Articles by: Shauna Waterman

By Canada’s Ocean Supercluster

Since 2021, September 30 has been recognized as National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – a day to honour the children who never returned home, and the survivors, of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. A vital component of truth and reconciliation is acknowledging and commemorating the painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools. It is our responsibility to learn and understand this impact, and what we can do to show support and take action.  

National Ambition 2035 Committee Launch Insights Report on Future of Ocean AI in Canada 

Canada's Ocean Supercluster>>Articles by: Shauna Waterman

For Immediate Release   
December 12, 2024   

(Ottawa, ON) – Today, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster (OSC) together with the National Ambition 2035 Ocean AI Steering Committee launched of The Future of Ocean AI: A Strategic Approach for Canada insights report. The OSC is excited to share the Strategic Approach insights report in advance of the full report in January. 

Through Ambition 2035, the potential of AI to address the ocean sector’s unique challenges was recognized and led to the creation of an Ocean AI Steering Committee. Comprised of professionals in industry, academia, and government, the Committee developed a strategic approach in partnership with the OSC to assess barriers to AI adoption in the ocean industry, provide recommendations for growth, increase global competitiveness, and support the ocean industry’s five times growth ambition overall.  

Informed by market research and interviews with key stakeholders across Canada, The Future of Ocean AI: A Strategic Approach for Canada aims to stimulate the ocean economy by promoting the responsible adoption of AI in the ocean sector. Canada’s leadership in AI positions us to lead the world in ocean AI innovation. By collaborating with ocean leaders and tackling key barriers, we can unlock transformative opportunities that will shape the future of both AI and the blue economy. 

Key strategies outlined in the insights report to overcome adoption barriers include skills development, enhancing data management, strengthening technology infrastructure, increasing investment, and fostering collaboration.  These strategies involve comprehensive execution, including:  

  • Helping companies understand practical AI use cases by showcasing real-world applications and success stories to demonstrate the value and impact of these investments.  
  • Forming collaboration networks and partnerships to facilitate data sharing and collective problem-solving. Organizations like the OSC can play a pivotal role in connecting various actors within the ocean sector, promoting a collaborative environment. 
  • Enabling sustained investment from government grants, private investors, and public-private partnerships. This means streamlining approval processes for SMEs to access funding, reducing administrative obstacles, and making it easier for smaller firms to secure resources. 
  • Providing tangible guidance around data structures and technology adaptation for the ocean sector, including working towards digital readiness by supporting data literacy, infrastructure, integration, accessibility, governance, and security.

The full report, The Future of Ocean AI: A Strategic Approach for Canada, will launch in January 2025. 

The global ocean economy is set to outpace the growth of the broader economy by 20 per cent by 2030. Through Ambition 2035, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, together with the country’s ocean community, have set a five-times growth ambition for the ocean sector by 2035. Investment in ocean AI is essential to achieving this growth. 

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Media Contacts   
Nancy Andrews   
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster   
nancy.andrews@oceansupercluster.ca   

About Canada’s Ocean Supercluster    

Canada’s Ocean Supercluster accelerates the development and commercialization of made-in-Canada ocean solutions in energy transition, food security, future of transport, and climate change while also growing more companies, creating more jobs, and attracting ocean talent. As Canada’s national ocean cluster, the OSC is a convenor of members, partners, and networks and a catalyst for transformative growth that helps build the robust ecosystem needed to help realize Ambition 2035 – a 5X growth potential in ocean in Canada by 2035. To date, the OSC has approved more than 100 projects which will deliver more than 220 new made-in-Canada ocean products, processes, and services to sell to the world. For more information visit oceansupercluster.ca  

Quotes  

“As Canada seeks to secure its AI advantage, we need to focus on overcoming barriers to adopting AI in the ocean industry. The growth of the global ocean economy is set to outpace that of the broader economy by 20% by 2030. Investment in ocean AI is essential to achieving this growth. This report outlines critical strategies for identifying potential barriers to stimulating the ocean economy and leading the world in ocean AI innovation.” – The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry 

“Canada’s ocean sector has a 5X growth potential that can help transform our economy, creating more jobs and positioning Canada as a leader in ocean innovation. Overcoming key challenges like access to funding, tailored AI education, and access to data are imperative to achieving this ambition through greater AI adoption. We are thrilled to put forth this strategic approach as a step toward fulfilling Canada’s full potential as an ocean nation.” – Kendra MacDonald, CEO, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster