James Kesten (He/him)

Director of Venture Growth, COVE

James works directly with COVE resident companies, partners, and stakeholders to create, adopt, and implement initiatives and programs that open markets and remove barriers to the commercialization of new products and services.

He has experience in marine technology innovation, offshore subsea technology deployments, strategic planning for international markets, business development, and project management. James has worked around the world in nearly every offshore market and in an onshore capacity related to international business development. He is a professional engineer with a degree from Dalhousie University and a Master of Business Administration from Queen’s University, with a focus on Data Analytics, Project Management, and New Ventures.

Sessions

OceanFest

Stronger Together: How Big Companies and Startups Unlock Mutual Success in the Ocean Economy

July 10, 20259:25 AM EDT – 10:05 AM EDT

SKY STAGE

English

When big companies and startups join forces, the results can be transformative. This panel will explore how collaborations like Thales and Corsphere create win-win outcomes, driving innovation and growth for both parties. Featuring insights from COVE’s Naval Technology Innovation Challenge, we will discuss how these partnerships accelerate R&D, open new markets, and solve complex challenges in the sustainable ocean economy. Learn how startups gain scale and resources, while corporates tap into agility and fresh ideas proving that together, they can achieve far more than they could alone. See More.