Since its inception, COVE has connected people, ideas, resources and assets to propel solutions and sustainable growth for Canada’s marine sector.
Though the purpose remains unchanged, COVE has adapted through the years to the changing ecosystem and opportunities provided by the expanding world of ocean tech to best serve Canada’s marine sector.
A budding opportunity in the marine sector with implications for the future of innovation, national security, and economic growth is the development of dual-use technologies.
“In general, dual-use technologies refer to technology that can be used for both commercial and defence applications,” said Paul Evans, Senior Advisor, Defence and Security with COVE. “Militaries are seeking to attract the attention of innovative commercial companies in order to develop capabilities more quickly and adapt to advancements in technology.”
By putting a focus on dual-use technologies, Canada can leverage its increasing defence spending to develop sovereign capabilities within Canada that we need for national defence but are also technologies that benefit wider markets.
There are several dual-use applications already operating in the ocean tech sector.
Autonomous surface or subsurface vessels can patrol the North and also inspect subsea infrastructure, such as offshore wind farms. Another example is sonar and acoustics technology, which is used to monitor submarine activity and marine life or for subsea mapping.
Dual-use technologies strengthen the economic base of companies supporting the defence industry while broadening their economic potential to different supply chains, helping them scale and become more resilient as businesses.
“Examining the National Shipbuilding Strategy reveals a significant opportunity for Canadian companies to integrate into the supply chain. To truly benefit, these companies must extend their vision beyond individual procurements, aiming to export or commercialize their innovations in international markets,” explained Paul Evans. “The essence of dual-use technology lies in its capacity to create broader economic opportunities. For instance, Canada’s recent Defence Policy Update emphasizes addressing climate change, particularly its effects on the increasingly accessible Arctic. To strengthen continental defence and NORAD modernization, Canada needs to invest in remote sensing capabilities in the North. These investments will not only enhance national security but also position Canada as a leader in dual-use technologies that monitor and understand the impact of climate change.”
COVE is well positioned as a leader in Canada’s marine economy to support the development and advancement of dual-use technologies. Since 2018, COVE has been central to an expansive ecosystem, recognizing and building deep understandings of sector opportunities and providing connections between government, academia and different segments of industry to drive solutions. COVE aims to attract more innovative and commercially oriented companies to pursue opportunities afforded through Canada’s procurement strategies, including defence.
“It’s important to build sectors of strength in Canada where companies not only deliver sovereign capabilities, but are economic drivers of growth,” said Paul. “We see tremendous value in seeking opportunities to commercialize technologies that can be used in multiple markets and exported.
A recent significant opportunity in the dual-use space was through COVE’s involvement with NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator of the North Atlantic (DIANA). DIANA unites the best and brightest innovators across the NATO network to focus on deep tech and dual-use technologies. The program supports companies with training, funding, commercial advice, and access to defence expertise and inventors. Through competitive challenges, selected innovators can receive grant funding, acceleration advice, and access to the NATO DIANA network of accelerators and test centres.
COVE and Communitech in Waterloo, Ontario, were the two Canadian accelerator sites selected to help augment DIANA’s capacity to support innovators from across the Alliance as they develop their technologies.
These funding and support opportunities are invaluable to Canadian tech companies in their pursuit of advancing dual-use technologies. However, given the program’s scope, these opportunities are spread across all 32 NATO nations, making the field highly competitive.
“Investing in dual-use ocean technologies is crucial, as it empowers nations to safeguard maritime and arctic territories, drive sustainable economic growth, and lead in global environmental stewardship,” said, Melanie Nadeau, Chief Executive Officer at COVE. “Supporting innovation in this field harnesses advanced capabilities to address both civilian and military needs.”
Embracing dual-use technologies will be vital to unlocking new opportunities and safeguarding Canadian marine environments. Strategic investments and collaborations are needed to reach this potential in driving economic growth and ensuring a sustainable future for Canada’s ocean.
Canada has emerged as a leader in marine technology through our shared coast-to-coast ambition to build sustainable solutions to complex challenges. Utilizing a dual-use technology approach emphasizes capabilities and provides opportunities to remain globally competitive through creating an innovative edge.