COAST Hires Jason Goldsworthy to Grow Next Phase of Ocean and Marine Innovation Hub

The Centre for Ocean Applied Sustainable Technologies (COAST) announces that Jason Goldsworthy has joined its team as Executive Director. As an experienced leader with a background in ocean technology, Goldsworthy will continue to build COAST’s reputation and international capability as Pacific Canada’s hub for the sustainable blue economy.

“I’m excited to return to Victoria from Australia for this opportunity because of the enormous potential of B.C.’s oceantech and marine industries and the integral role COAST plays in building Pacific Canada’s innovation ecosystem, which includes industry, government and research partners,” says Goldsworthy. “The world needs more climate-conscious ocean and marine innovation, and B.C. is uniquely positioned to offer this.”

Goldsworthy was most recently general manager of Australia’s Westside Group of Companies, leading its corporate restructuring while maintaining an annual revenue of more than $40 million during the pandemic. Prior to this, he served as Operations Manager, Vancouver Island, for environmental consulting firm Pinchin and as CEO of Victoria-based Accumulated Ocean Energy (AOE) Inc.

He holds a Ph.D. in Engineering from the University of Adelaide and is registered as a Professional Engineer with Engineers and GeoScientists of British Columbia.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Jason to our team at this exciting point in COAST’s trajectory,” says Emilie de Rosenroll, Founding CEO of COAST, which recently received $2 million in funding from B.C.’s Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) Fund to support its development as a world-class ocean and marine innovation hub. “COAST has built tremendous support for our work, and with Jason’s leadership, we’ll accelerate this momentum and help propel the incredible talent and energy of B.C.’s ocean and marine innovators.”

Recent COAST initiatives include:

• COAST Venture Acceleration Program (CVAP) Delivered in partnership with VIATEC with funding from Innovate BC, CVAP provides new ventures focused on opportunities in the ocean economy with a proven pathway to growth through training and coaching sessions.
• Ocean Startup Project (OSP) COAST’s partnership with this national organization is designed to help build knowledge and connections and grow the blue economy from coast to coast. OSP’s Ocean Startup Challenge received a major increase in B.C. applicants in 2022 — up 233% compared to 2021. Fifteen startups from B.C. made the shortlist; eight made it to the final 30.
• PitchIt Challenge In 2022, COAST partnered with the University of Victoria to host the Ocean Challenge. Students pitched bold ideas to solve some of the biggest ocean-based challenges with innovative projects covering everything from naval defense to aquaculture.

Spearheaded in 2021 by South Island Prosperity Partnership, COAST is a direct response to calls from the local ocean and marine sector to develop B.C.’s capacity to compete effectively in the $3 trillion global blue economy. Co-founders include the Association of British Columbia Marine Industries, Babcock Canada, ASL Environmental Sciences, Ocean Networks Canada, Just Innovation Inc, BC Ferries, Ocean Startup Project, T’Sou-ke First Nation, Open Ocean Robotics, Raven Marine, UC Berkeley, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, University of Victoria, the City of Victoria and Camosun Innovates.