Welcome to this week’s Sunday Briefing. In this issue, learn about the impact of elections on Island investments, discover a new-look collaboration hub in Victoria, and check out who won more awards for Island innovators.

Now on to today’s briefing. It’s 695 words: a three-minute read.

-Emily, [email protected]

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More good news from the Island’s blue economy

The announcement came a little early for World Maritime Day, but we’re always happy to share good news coming from Vancouver Island blue economy innovators.

Earlier this month, Barnacle Systems (styled as BRNKL), which develops and builds security and monitoring products for boats, was awarded the Best New Product Award at the 2024 National Marine Electronics Association conference. The product in question is Barnacle’s newest — BRNKL Blue. BRNKL Blue enables boaters to monitor vessel systems, trigger automated video recording, and share moments on social media.

It was also a good news month for Open Ocean Robotics, which took home the Autonomous System Award at BlueTIDE 2024 for its Advanced DataXplorer, an uncrewed surface vehicle. At the in-water demo event held on Rhode Island, the DataXplorer showed off its 360-degree visual cameras, 360-degree thermal cameras, towed hydrophone, and environmental sensors. It also showcased its AI computing systems, named Enhanced Horizon and Underwater Listener.

That news comes off the back of a positive month for entrepreneurs and innovators working in the blue economy. The past few weeks have seen federal investments, new partnerships, and a funding challenge, all of which point to the health of the growing ecosystem on Vancouver Island.

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📰 More Victoria innovation news

⏭️ If it ain’t makin’ me money: Island Savings’ Manny del Dago and business advisory firm MNP’s Yohaan Thommy sat down with Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce CEO Bruce Williams to discuss the impact of elections, the economy, and the environment on investments.

😍 I’m comin’ out: KMPG unveiled a new look for the Ignition Hub, a collaboration space that opened earlier this year in Victoria.

💪 Make it to the end: Sahar Sam, co-founder and CEO of solar energy company Solaires Enterprises, was named a finalist for the Entrepreneur Award in the ALLY Energy GRIT Awards 2024.

SPONSORED BY COAST, AN INITIATIVE OF SOUTH ISLAND PROSPERITY PARTNERSHIP

Applications now open for COAST Pitchfest!

Early-stage ocean tech entrepreneurs: apply now for COAST Pitchfest, presented by Seaspan, on October 16 in Victoria! Five finalists will compete for a $10,000 cash prize, a one-year COAST Navigator membership, and an opportunity to connect with potential investors. Don’t miss your chance to showcase your innovation!

🕴️ Tech jobs of the week

Find your next career:

• Lead Mechatronics Engineer at VoxCell BioInnovation

• Applied Research Technologist II at Camosun College

• Senior IT Business Analyst at BC Transit

Hiring in Victoria? Reply to this email and let us know!

📅 Upcoming events

October 17 | Five-Week Series - Climate Resilience for Technical Professionals

This workshop series blends knowledge from the technical and social sciences, including systems engineering, environmental philosophy, climate psychology, and deep ecology. The sessions will provide you with practical tools and frameworks for embedding climate action into your daily actions and decisions.

Certificates of completion are available for participants who complete at least four to five workshops. This workshop series can be counted towards engineering continuing education hours.

Have an upcoming event? Reply to let us know.

🙋 I need a…

We at Victoria Tech Journal know you, our community, pretty well. Are you searching for someone in your field to have coffee with, a hiring hookup, a lead on local investors, or suggestion for a great Victoria tech tool? Whatever you’re hunting for, let us know. We’ll post it in this section and make it happen.

Email your requests to [email protected].

Have something or someone we should know about?

Reply or email [email protected] so we can work together to spotlight the lesser-known stories of Victoria's tech ecosystem.