Programme Highlights Participants will have the opportunity to showcase their innovations at Canada’s leading marine technology event, the H2O Conference. Additionally, companies will demonstrate their solutions to industry experts and potential customers during the COVE Demo Day.
Focus Areas: This programme is particularly suited for businesses working in:
- Aquaculture
- Fisheries
- Marine Energy
- Marine Environmental Monitoring
- Marine Net Zero
- Marine Observations
- Marine Robotics
- Marine Transportation
- Ocean Plastics
Key Technologies: Marine-related applications including, but not limited to:
- Alternative Energy
- Aquaculture Systems
- Autonomous Vessels
- Fishery Processes and Management
- Ocean Sensors
- Robotics and Drones
- Vessel Design and Manufacture
Why Canada? Canada is a global leader in products and services designed for extreme ocean environments and remote sensing and ocean observation technologies. Atlantic Canada accounts for over half of Canada’s $36 billion ocean economy and is home to a robust cluster of ocean industries and cutting-edge research. The region is rapidly becoming a recognized global hub for ocean expertise, with the potential to play a significant role in global ocean value chains.
Why COVE? COVE is a global leading hub for innovation in the marine technology sector, dedicated to promoting marine commerce, business development, and technology commercialization. With a strong international network, COVE hosts over 65 local and global resident companies on-site in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. An additional 350 companies are engaged in COVE’s programs and services, forming part of their extensive network. COVE is situated in a vibrant and competitive ecosystem and is at the forefront in advancing the marine sector toward a more sustainable and prosperous future.
Key Dates:
- Applicant Briefing: October 3, 2024
- Application Deadline: November 10, 2024
- Shortlist Interviews: November 20-22, 2024
- Cohort Confirmation: November 29, 2024
- Programme Start: January 2, 2025
What to Expect:
- Connections & Access: Introductions to customers and partners across Canada and North America, along with assistance in recruiting skilled workers.
- Scaling & Opportunities: Mentoring on go-to-market strategies, HR management, customer acquisition, and market intelligence.
- Workshops & Coaching: Masterclasses, workshops, and one-on-one coaching on topics like legal requirements, business registration, and IP management in Canada.
- Community & Infrastructure: Integration into COVE’s vibrant marine technology ecosystem with access to its technical infrastructure, including the Stella Maris.
- Expert Guidance: Support from mentors, sector experts, and an Innovate UK Innovation and Growth Specialist to capitalize on opportunities.
- Market Visits: Two funded market visits to Halifax, Nova Scotia, are planned. The first visit is from February 1-8, 2025, and the second is from June 4-13, 2025, including participation in the H2O Conference and Demo Day.
Eligibility Criteria: To apply, you must:
- Be a UK-based company
- Have fewer than 250 employees
- Focus on the ocean sector
Costs: Innovate UK will cover flights, accommodation, and in-market transfers for two group market visits for one representative per company. A commitment fee of £2,000 is required upon acceptance, which will be refunded upon completion of the programme’s activities and action plan. Non-completion may result in forfeiture of the fee.
Applicant Briefing: Join the Virtual Applicant Briefing on Thursday, October 3, 2024, from 13:00 to 14:00 to learn more about the programme and ask questions. Register here.
How to Apply: Applications must be submitted online by midnight on November 10, 2024. Please include a company pitch deck with your application. Successful applicants will undergo interviews and financial eligibility checks. Apply here.
Innovate UK encourages applications from underrepresented groups in the ocean sector.
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