Welcome to this week’s Sunday Briefing. In this issue:

Now on to today’s briefing.

-Emily, [email protected]

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Four B.C. companies are getting $100,000 each to demonstrate clean energy technologies that could help coastal communities move away from diesel power, with Victoria-based Mostar Labs among the recipients testing solutions for remote marine operations. The funding comes through the COAST Innovation Challenge, delivered via the Province's Integrated Marketplace platform, as part of B.C.'s Look West strategy to build a more independent economy.

Mostar Labs will use the funding to test its LilyPad, a modular floating renewable energy platform designed to replace diesel generators at remote coastal sites. The company joins three other recipients working on different approaches to the same problem.

Vancouver's Ascent Systems Technologies received funding for its autonomous monitoring platform that combines renewable energy, battery storage, and smart controls in a self-contained module. Surrey's Cleohydron Innovation is developing hydrogen production technology for coastal conditions, while Nova Scotia's Voltai is bringing its wave energy system to B.C. waters while setting up local operations.

All four will test their technologies at the B.C. Marine Energy and Decarbonization Hub, a partnership between COAST and the University of Victoria. "One of the reasons COAST exists is to help entrepreneurs turn bold ideas into real solutions, and these Innovation Challenge companies are doing exactly that," said Jason Goldsworthy, COAST's executive director.

The challenge aims to help the Canadian Coast Guard electrify operations in remote coastal areas while supporting B.C.'s marine technology sector. B.C. has invested up to $41.5 million in the Integrated Marketplace, with an additional $11.7 million from the federal government through PacifiCan.

🚢 Under the sea: B.C. launched a marine and coastal testbed through its Integrated Marketplace program, backing three initial projects including KOTUG Canada and SC'IȺNEW First Nation testing underwater vessel-cleaning robots, Lax Kw'alaams First Nation deploying AI for salmon monitoring, and VoltSafe trialling smart shore power at a Vancouver marina.

🏢 9 to 5: South Island Prosperity Partnership's Dallas Gislason argued that full-time remote work policies for public servants come with hidden costs to innovation, mentorship, and downtown Victoria's economic vitality, calling for balance between flexibility and enough shared presence to keep communities thriving.

🐳 Listen to the music: A University of Bath study using 10 years of Ocean Networks Canada hydrophone data from Cambridge Bay found that underwater Arctic noise is increasing as ice recedes, with researchers calling for proactive acoustic limits to protect sound-sensitive marine life from human activity.

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April 10-May 22 | HR Happy Hour at Fort Tectoria

VIATEC is hosting HR Happy Hour, a drop-in series for tech leaders looking for practical, judgment-free advice on the people side of running a tech team. Fractional HR professionals will be on hand to field questions on hiring, retention, leadership, performance, and culture. No registration required — just show up, grab a drink, and connect with peers. Sessions run April 10, April 24, May 8, and May 22.

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