The BC government is funding 14 companies to test their technologies in real-world industrial settings, providing nearly $3.5 million through Innovate BC's early-stage demonstration call — the first round of projects funded through the Integrated Marketplace Platform.
Projects span airports, ports, health, forestry, emergency management, marine, mining, and critical minerals. Each company can receive up to $500,000, covering up to 40% of eligible project costs.
Two Victoria-based companies are among the recipients.
MarineLabs received $310,000 to demonstrate an AI-powered fog detection and forecasting system designed to improve safety and efficiency for marine operations. The company is enhancing its existing CoastAware product with new sensors, data streams, and processing capabilities to enable fog forecasting at scale. The system aims to provide precise, timely fog alerts to help marine pilots and ships navigate safely, reduce delays, and lower emissions.
"Fog is a big challenge for coastal maritime industries," said Scott Beatty, CEO of MarineLabs. "By advancing our fog detection and forecasting capabilities, we're helping marine pilots, ports and others make better decisions in low-visibility conditions, reducing risk, minimizing costly delays and improving operational efficiency."
Reach Technologies is piloting a new safety system on the Victoria FRS Clipper passenger ferry to evaluate how well it detects debris and marine mammals. Photo: Innovate BC
Reach Technologies received $115,000 to test a safety system on the Victoria FRS Clipper passenger ferry that detects debris and marine mammals in real operating conditions. The technology, originally developed for military applications with federal funding, is now being evaluated for commercial use. If successful, it is expected to improve passenger safety, reduce vessel damage, and support future autonomous vessel operations.
"We are excited that Innovate BC has chosen to support our work in commercializing this unique new maritime safety technology," said Glenn Jones, CEO of Reach Technologies.
The funding is part of BC's broader Look West strategy, which aims to grow the economic value of the province's tech sectors by 75% and double tech employment to 400,000. Another call for applications is anticipated to launch later this year.