Boston Blue technology - Canadian Technology Accelerator

Are you looking to grow your ocean technology business in the United States (U.S.)? Boston's Canadian Technology Accelerator (CTA) for ocean technology is a 6-month hybrid program designed to help companies accelerate their entry into the U.S. market by providing access to mentors, customers, partners and investors in the Boston area.

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Important dates

Benefits of joining

The CTA will give you:

• Facilitated Introductions to buyers, investors, and key partners in the ocean technology industry
• Mentorship and tailored advice by industry leaders' experts in the ocean tech sector
• In-depth market briefings (webinars) on doing business with key subsectors (marine defense, offshore wind, fisheries)
• Feedback from sector experts on investment strategies
• Access to workspace and meeting rooms at the CIC (Boston and Providence)
• Opportunity to pitch during a special session of the 2025 Blue Innovation Symposium in Newport, RI, February 10-13, 2025

Who should apply

We are looking for leading-edge Canadian ocean tech companies with differentiated solutions in:

• Marine robotics, sensors & related software products
• Software targeting the marine industry (digital twin, virtual modelling, simulation, etc.)
• Fisheries/aquaculture-related technologies
• Dual-use marine technologies (products with applications for both defense and commercial industries

We use a broad definition of ocean tech and are interested in working with a wide range of technologies that target key marine subsectors (marine defense, offshore energy, fisheries/aquaculture and ocean science/fisheries management). While we encourage all companies in all ocean tech subsectors to apply, companies with a focus on marine biotechnology or commercial boat building might find the limited benefits from this program.

Your company must have:

• A differentiated and validated technology or product
• Proven product market fit with a defined target audience
• The ability to articulate a problem your company is solving
• Existing market traction with at least one minimum viable product
• A passionate, strong, and committed management team with at least one senior manager who can commit to participating in the entire program
• The ability to commit to virtual and in-person programming

The Trade Commissioner Service supports equity, diversity, and inclusion in trade. We strongly encourage companies led by Canadians of all backgrounds to apply.

What you need to apply

How the program works

Upon acceptance, your business will participate in:

• Curated introductions to potential investors, partners, and customers
• Mentoring sessions with sector experts who will provide strategic advice on targeting the U.S. market.
• Education Sessions on the blue tech/ocean tech venture investment landscape and opportunities to connect with prominent investors in this sector.
• Individual webinars on selling to key subsectors in the marine industry including marine defense and offshore wind

This program will begin in September 2024 and will take place virtually (2-4 hours per month) with options for attending in-person networking events in market.

Each company will be matched a mentor and/or sector expert with wide-ranging industry experience in the New England blue tech sector who will provide strategic advice as you seek to build your business and attract customers and investors in the U.S.

The program will culminate with a special pitch session and targeted B2B meetings at the Blue Innovation Symposium in Newport, Rhode Island. This is an annual event that brings together the marine technology industry in New England and across the U.S.

Contact us

Learn more about this program by contacting:

Erin Donahue
Trade Commissioner
Canadian Technology Accelerator: Ocean Technology
Canada's Trade Commissioner Service
erin.donahue@international.gc.ca