Charting a Course for Success: COVE’s Ocean Scale-up Accelerator Program

COVE partnered with Innovate UK for the Global Incubator Program, which provides the opportunity for eight innovative, high-growth and scaling businesses to build long-term relationships with a world-leading innovation hub in Canada.

Earlier this year, COVE welcomed these eight technology companies from the UK to COVE for the initial launch of the Ocean Scale-Up Accelerator Program.

SHOWCASING OPPORTUNITY

The five-month program allowed businesses to scale in Canada, secure opportunities, and receive assistance with finding and recruiting local skilled workers. Being a part of COVE gave the cohort access to potential partnerships and amenities, and to Canada's premier marine technology focused event, H20 Conference and COVE Demo Day. Over 700 service providers, business leaders and government officials from around the world visit Halifax, Nova Scotia for the annual event.

"The COVE accelerator program connected us with the right people to help navigate the Canadian market as we assess the costs and benefits of growing our footprint to include Canada. Through the program, I spoke with various agencies and partners to understand opportunities," said Lucas Wissmann, Co-Founder of Honuworx Ltd., a company developing software technology to drive down the costs and environmental impact of deploying and operating robotic systems offshore.

MAKING CONNECTIONS

During the cohort's week-long visit, they had the opportunity to give a presentation about their company and their business aspirations to the COVE community and attend workshops to better understand market potential, while also goal setting as part of the program.

The eight participating companies were HonuWorx, Max Nicholas Renewables™, Pure Marine Gen, PicSea, Hexsor Scientific, AquaTec, D-RisQ, and Chelsea Technologies. Each company developed their own distinctive goals to build and expand their business. Across the cohort, there was enthusiasm to meet potential business partners and explore the idea of bringing projects to North America.

"It's super exciting for us," said Andrew Durrant, founder of PicSea. "We already have some projects started in Canada from previous support that COVE and Innovate UK have given us. I'm excited to be back in the next few months and expect to build business success in Canada." PicSea is a company that helps businesses and science access and understand seafloor data. Their ground-breaking technology has dramatically reduced the cost and complexity of creating autonomous underwater vehicles.

COVE plans to extend the program to other interested countries to propel marine innovation and accelerate commercialization. If you're interested in learning more about the bespoke program that accelerates business growth in Canada’s marine sector or how to partner with COVE for an accelerator program, contact accelerator@coveocean.com.

 This spotlight was originally featured in ON&T Magazine's August 2023 issue. Click here to read more.