Welcome to this week’s Sunday Briefing. In this issue, meet the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce’s new board of directors, find the new deadline for an Ocean Networks Canada grant, and learn about public engagement with the South Island Prosperity Partnership.

Now on to today’s briefing. It’s 767 words: a three-minute read.

-Emily, [email protected]

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Canada’s first dedicated ocean venture accelerator opens in Victoria

Last week, the Centre for Ocean Applied Sustainable Technologies (COAST) announced the launch of Blue Action Canada, a pilot accelerator that will support eight B.C.-based blue economy startups. Over four months, the startups will focus on operations, product development, technology, customer discovery, commercialization, and fundraising.

To host the pilot, COAST has teamed up with Blue Action, a Bahamas-based climatech accelerator, and Founders Factory, a U.K.-based company that builds and funds startups.

The accelerator will also provide a platform for companies to access a global community of investors and partners, including Blue Action’s growing network of ports and government partners spanning ten countries, to explore pathways to pilots, testing grounds, and commercial partnerships.

“British Columbia is home to both a legacy of success and a rising tide of innovation in the blue economy — from AI-enabled ocean conservation, to marine renewable energy,” said Jason Goldsworthy, executive director of COAST. “Through COAST's partnership with Blue Action and Founders Factory, the Blue Action Canada pilot will bring international partners and industry-leading experts to support B.C.’s ocean founders, and cement Pacific Canada’s position as a global hub for ocean innovation.”

The Blue Action Canada pilot kicks off this month and will end with a residential program in May 2025, bringing the startups to Vancouver and overlapping with Web Summit in the city.

📰 More Victoria innovation news

⭐️ It’s a new day: The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce announced its 2025 board of directors, welcoming five new members. Christina Clarke, executive director of the Indigenous Prosperity Centre, is the Chamber’s new board chair. Clarke is also a board member for Ocean Networks Canada.

📣 Tell me what you want: Dallas Gislason, deputy director of the South Island Prosperity Partnership (SIPP), put out a call for feedback on how best to engage the public on SIPP’s work and its upcoming five-year plan. Gislason posted a survey on LinkedIn, if you’d like to participate.

⏰ Time is on my side: Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) extended the deadline to apply for the $20,000 Roy Hyndman Ocean Observing Award. The award is for grad students looking for support for research projects that use data from ONC’s observatories.

🕴️ Tech jobs of the week

Find your next career:

• Network administrator at Myra

• Program manager, integrations at Flipp

• Senior product operations specialist at Mercury

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

📅 Upcoming events

January 16 | Victoria Tech Nachos

Victoria Tech Nachos is a covert group at the intersection of nachos and technology. A no-speaker, social-only, no-sponsor, nacho-friendly event.

January 23 | Canadian Digital Marketing Summit

For the first time, CDM Summit is coming to Victoria, on January 23. Join for an exciting one-day event where trailblazers and innovators gather to explore the future of digital marketing. In this inaugural summit, you’ll experience the latest in breakthrough strategies, cutting-edge technologies, and the trends shaping tomorrow’s marketing landscape. Whether you’re looking to enhance your skills, grow your professional network, or be inspired by industry leaders, this is your opportunity to lead with confidence in an ever-evolving digital world.

February 20-21 | 6th Western Angel Investment Summit

Presented by Angel Forum with the support of VIATEC and the National Angel Capital Organization, the theme of this year’s Western Angel Investment Summit is “B.C. Be Bold.” Targeted at angels, founders, funds, and accelerators, the event will explore how B.C. founders and investors should be ready to take centre stage.

Have an upcoming event? Reply to let us know.

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