Expand your innovative business into the Canadian market to grow and scale globally


Innovate UK’s Global Incubator Programme, delivered in partnership with Innovate UK EDGE, is an acceleration programme for innovative businesses to work with a world-leading incubator in Canada building long-term relationships and foundations to accelerate future market growth.

 

We are currently accepting applications for up to 8 innovative companies in the ocean sector to join our tailored 6-month incubation programme delivered in partnership with COVE, a global innovation centre for the ocean technology sector located in Nova Scotia, Canada.

 

The programme features two funded market visits and participation at Canada’s premier event for the ocean technology sector the H20 Conference including the opportunity for companies to demonstrate their technology offering to industry experts and prospective customers at COVE Demo Day.

 

WHY CANADA?

Canada has become a world leader in engineering products and services suited to extreme harsh ocean environments, marine remote sensing technologies, and ocean observing systems. Atlantic Canada contributes more than half of Canada’s $36bn ocean economy and is home to a strong cluster of ocean industries and to ground breaking ocean research. This region is quickly becoming a globally recognised hub of oceans expertise with the potential to be a significant contributor to a number of Global Value Chains associated with the oceans sector.

 

VIRTUAL APPLICANT BRIEFING EVENT - THURSDAY 28 SEPTEMBER 2023 14:00 - 15:00

We will be holding a Virtual Applicant Briefing Event on Thursday 28 September 2023 14:00 - 15:00 where attendees can learn more about the programme, be introduced to COVE - our incubator partner in Canada, and receive guidance on the application process. Register https://bit.ly/45TxSnE

 

BENEFITS

•        Connections to customers and partners across Canada and North America.

•        Assistance with finding and recruiting skilled workers from Canada.

•        Mentoring and expert sessions focused on; go-to-market strategy, human resource management guidance, customer acquisition, local partnerships, sales and market intelligence.

•        Masterclasses, interactive workshops, on-line resources, and one-on-one coaching.

•        Session(s) on process maps, business registration, and IP treatment in Canada.

•        Participation in COVE’s vibrant community of ocean entrepreneurs and industry professionals and have access to onshore and offshore technical infrastructure such as COVE’s Stella Maris.        

•        Guidance from sector experts, mentors, and experienced entrepreneurs in Canada. Support from an Innovate UK EDGE Innovation and Growth Specialist to help you exploit the opportunities.

•        The programme features two funded market visits to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada including participation at Canada’s premier event for the ocean technology sector the H20 Conference and a demonstration at COVE Demo Day.

•        Assistance in establishing a Canadian presence and ongoing support.

 

FOCUS AREAS: This programme is particularly relevant for businesses in the areas of:

•        Aquaculture

•        Fisheries

•        Marine Energy

•        Marine Environmental Monitoring

•        Marine Net Zero

•        Marine Observations

•        Marine Robotics

•        Marine Transportation

•        Ocean Plastics

 

KEY TECHNOLOGIES: with marine 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

 

KEY DATES

•        Virtual Applicant Briefing Event: Thursday 28 September 2023 14:00 - 15:00

•        Closing date for applications: midnight on Sunday 05 November 2023

•        Shortlist Interviews: Wednesday 22 November 2023 - Friday 24 November 2023

•        Cohort Confirmed: Friday 01 December 2023

•        Incubation programme commences (virtually): Tuesday 02 January 2024

•        First Market Visit: Saturday 27 January 2024 - Saturday 03 February 2024

•        Second Market Visit: Wednesday 29 May 2024 - Friday 07 June 2024

 

LINKS TO FURTHER INFORMATION AND HOW TO APPLY

•        Virtual Applicant Briefing Event: Thursday 28 September 2023 14:00 - 15:00 Register https://bit.ly/45TxSnE

•        Online Promotional Flyer: A weblink to the promotional flyer: https://bit.ly/48fSet0

•        Online Application Form: https://bit.ly/465L74R

 

If you have any questions or require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact the Innovate UK EDGE team on email enquiries8@innovateukedge.ukri.org.