Ocean Aid’s run of success continues at the COAST Pitchfest

Plus, how to use tech to get a last-minute BC Ferries reservation.

Author

Emily Edwards
October 20, 2024

Welcome to this week’s Sunday Briefing. In this issue, learn about a tech tool for finding BC Ferries reservations, a 25-year celebration for a local business, and in what category the University of Victoria recorded a national ranking.

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Ocean Aid co-founder and executive director Andrew Polanyi is presented with the $10,000 grand prize. Photo credit: Megan Wilson

Ocean Aid’s run of success continues at the COAST Pitchfest

Victoria’s Ocean Aid is surely riding high after beating out four other bluetech startups to take home the $10,000 grand prize at the COAST Pitchfest last week.

At the second COAST Pitchfest of the year (the first was held in the spring), Ocean Aid spoke before a packed room of investors, blue economy companies, government representatives, and a panel of five judges from the tech and impact investing sectors.

“What an incredible experience it was to pitch alongside such innovative ocean startups,” said Andrew Polanyi, Ocean Aid’s co-founder and executive director. “This award is going to make a huge impact for Ocean Aid as we grow our team and bring our technology to market — it’s really an honour. Congratulations to all the other startups and to COAST for their grand opening of the Ocean Innovation Hub.”

Ocean Aid develops marine automatic target recognition systems that improve sonar, video, and LiDAR, providing live insights and mapping from imaging data. The company is focused on using technology to support ocean conservationists and stewards of coastal areas, and to create cleaner, healthier, and safer ocean ecosystems.

Through the Pitchfest win, Ocean Aid will also receive a COAST Navigator membership and the right to pitch at the Victoria Investment Event, held by COAST, VIATEC, and the Vancouver Island Life Sciences Association.

📰 More Victoria innovation news

⛵️ Sail away with me: Island entrepreneur Vadran Budimcic created NextSailing.ca, a website that sends text alerts to users when a reservation becomes available on a sold-out BC Ferries sailing.

🎂 They say it’s your birthday: StarFish Medical, a medical equipment company in Victoria, celebrated 25 years in business.

🆙 Just move on up: The University of Victoria ranked ninth in Canada for research quality in the 2025 Times Higher Education World University Rankings. The post-secondary ranked twelfth overall in the country.

🕴️ Tech jobs of the week

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