PREMIUM FEST

OCEANFEST

Let’s Surf This Giant Blue Economy Wave Together!
July 11, 2024
Ocean tech is critical to the climate transition or as KPMG would put it, we can’t go green without blue. Our lakes and oceans are the most important carbon sinks and provide 80% of the oxygen we breathe in daily. Nearly 40% of the world’s population relies on marine activity and coastal biodiversity for their livelihood. 
 
The Ocean tech sector is on an exponential growth path and it’s only the beginning. According to Startup Genome, the Blue Economy intersects with Cleantech, AI & Big Data, Agtech & New Food, Transportation, and many others. The momentum has begun and there are tremendous opportunities for startups and investors to both drive change and reap fair returns. With a value of $3 trillion USD by 2030, you can’t afford to overlook it.
REGISTER FOR STARTUPFEST

How to Attend

OceanFest is for anyone interested in Blue tech and the Blue economy. OceanFest is included in the Startupfest ticket. To attend, simply purchase your ticket to Startupfest.

From coast-to-coast, Canada’s Blue Economy ecosystem is rapidly expanding and becoming a top contender on the global scale. 
 
Our 2024 edition will focus on top trends such as Ocean AI, ocean-based carbon capture, underwater drones, decarbonization of the shipping industry, aquaculture and water preservation. Beyond tech hot topics, we’ll also try to understand why the Blue Economy is capitalizing so heavily on global collaboration and diversity. We’ll hear from First Nations representatives and leaders in remote settings who understand nature’s needs like no others. Trailblazers in the Blue Economy are taking the visionary leap of faith that sustainability must be at the core of every business model. They are laying the foundations of the new economy and the ROIs speak for themselves.
 
Check out our sizzler video from 2023!

Speakers

Amélie Desrochers

EVP, Novarium

Martin Beaulieu

CEO, La Zone Bleue, Novarium

Jennifer LaPlante

Chief Growth & Investment Officer, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster

Kendra MacDonald

Chief Executive Officer  , Canada’s Ocean Supercluster

Ted Janulis

Founder & Principal , Investable Oceans

Julie Gascon

President and CEO, Port of Montreal

Simon Olivier

Head of Cycle H2O Fund
Senior Partner, Cycle Capital

Emily Charry Tissier

CEO, Whale Seeker

Pierre Erwes

Partner & Deal flow and strategic partnerships , Blue Forward Fund

The Honorable Ethel Blondin-Andrew PC OC

Co-chair of the Board of Directors , National Indigenous Fisheries Institute

Derrick Whalen

Director, Information and Technology Services, Halifax Port Authority

Paula Mendonça

Executive Director, Ocean Startup Project

Nancy Andrews

Chief Engagement and Communications Officer, Canada's Ocean Supercluster

Barry Stevens

President, Stevens Solutions & Design Inc. 3D Wave Design

Ann Carpenter

CEO, Braid Theory

Lauren McGuire

VP Banking, RBCx, Royal Bank of Canada

Rodrigo Prudencio

Managing Partner, Propeller VC

Sophie Silkes

Director of Strategic Engagement, COAST

Dr. Chris Whidden

DeepSense/COVE Digital Ocean Research Chair, Dalhousie University

Susan Hunt

Chief Innovation Officer, Oneka Technologies

Ken Paul

Principal / Owner, Pokiok Associates

Rachel Cox

Accelerator Program Manager, COVE

Simon Savard

Project Manager, Port de Montréal

Kimberly Buffitt

Chief Operating Officer , NIFI TECH CORP

Sophie LeDrew

Senior Advisor, Partnerships, Mila – Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute

Rémi Fournier

Partner, BDC Capital | Industry, Clean Energy & Technology Funds and Sustainability Venture Fund, BDC

OceanFest 2024 Agenda

July 11

12:00 PM

OceanFest

Networking breakfast

12:55 PM

OceanFest

Welcome to the Montreal Port Authority

President and CEO
Port of Montreal

1:00 PM

OceanFest

Opening keynote

The blue economy and indigenous communities See More.
Co-chair of the Board of Directors
National Indigenous Fisheries Institute

1:15 PM

OceanFest

Welcome to OceanFest- Ambition 2035

Together, we can grow Canada’s ocean economy by 5X by 2035! Canada has the longest coast line in the world and 4 major cities are in the top 30 Blue Economy startup ecosystem ranking. Discover how you can help us move the needle and change the way we interact with our ocean utilizing the best technologies and talents. See More.
Chief Growth & Investment Officer
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
Chief Executive Officer 
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster

1:20 PM

OceanFest

Ocean Global Ecosystem Showcase

Canada is revolutionizing the blue economy by adapting to industry needs and nurturing a dynamic startup ecosystem. Featuring representatives from La Zone Bleue, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, COAST, and Oneka Technologies, this session will delve into the strategies and collaborative efforts that are driving growth and sustainability in the ocean sector. Discover how these organizations support startups, address global ocean opportunities, and position Canada as a blue economy leader. See More.
CEO
La Zone Bleue, Novarium
Executive Director
Ocean Startup Project
Chief Executive Officer 
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
Director of Strategic Engagement
COAST
Chief Innovation Officer
Oneka Technologies

1:50 PM

OceanFest

Investing in the Blue Economy

The blue investment landscape is quite different than in other tech sectors. In the Blue Economy, Europe is leading the way. In North America, CleanTech VCs are slowly capturing this new growth opportunity. Discover the emerging trends with top investors in the field. See More.
EVP
Novarium
VP Banking, RBCx
Royal Bank of Canada
Head of Cycle H2O Fund
Senior Partner
Cycle Capital
Partner, BDC Capital | Industry, Clean Energy & Technology Funds and Sustainability Venture Fund
BDC
Managing Partner
Propeller VC

2:30 PM

OceanFest

Networking break

Presented by Port of Montreal See More.

2:45 PM

OceanFest

Ocean Smart Nature Showcase

When it comes to our deep understanding of nature and oceans, indigenous communities have been leading the way for centuries. We still have much to learn! Discover amazing ventures and technologies coming from top Canadian indigenous communities. See More.
President
Stevens Solutions & Design Inc. 3D Wave Design
Principal / Owner
Pokiok Associates
Chief Operating Officer
NIFI TECH CORP
Chief Engagement and Communications Officer
Canada's Ocean Supercluster

3:15 PM

OceanFest

Leveraging Ocean AI

From Seaweed farming to coral restoration all the way to marine biotech and smart navigation, AI is at the forfront of the Blue Economy revolution. Discover actionable AI applications - an ocean of opportunities, litterally - and discuss the main entry barriers for industry partners and startups trying to scale. See More.
CEO
Whale Seeker
DeepSense/COVE Digital Ocean Research Chair
Dalhousie University
Director, Information and Technology Services
Halifax Port Authority
Senior Advisor, Partnerships
Mila – Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute
Chief Growth & Investment Officer
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster

3:55 PM

OceanFest

One Ocean - Going Global

Discover top global Blue Economy leaders and new innovative growth business models that are rapidly transforming the global landscape See More.
Partner & Deal flow and strategic partnerships
Blue Forward Fund
CEO
Braid Theory
Founder & Principal
Investable Oceans
Project Manager
Port de Montréal
Accelerator Program Manager
COVE

4:25 PM

OceanFest

Closing Remarks

10 reasons to dive into the Blue Economy. Will you surf this giant wave with us. See More.
Chief Growth & Investment Officer
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster

Partners & Sponsors

Presented by:

In Collaboration With: