Welcome to this week’s Midweek Memo. In this issue, read about Peloton Technologies’ new distinction, how Island tech is accidentally helping hungry elephant seals, and meet the three new members of the COAST community.

Now onto today’s briefing. It’s 621 words: a three-minute read.

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PacifiCan shines a $3.5 million light on Island innovators

Vancouver Island’s tech and tourism sectors are back in the spotlight.

While visiting Open Ocean Robotics last week, the federal government announced $3.5 million in funding through the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada (PacifiCan). The funding will go to eight Island-based organizations to support innovation and tourism.

In addition to playing hosts for the announcement, Open Ocean Robotics is set to receive $800,000 to help scale production of its solar-powered, uncrewed surface vehicles, which provide real-time data on ocean conditions and weather.

“We’re honored and pleased to be part of PacifiCan’s scale-up program, and to host the Minister’s announcement of more Vancouver Island investments today,” said Dr. Fritz Stahr, chief technology officer of Open Ocean Robotics. “PacifiCan’s support has allowed us to ramp up production of our award-winning USVs more quickly than we could otherwise, and we look forward to continuing as a leader in ocean robotics in Canada for many years to come.”

Industrial Plankton, another Victoria-based blue economy innovator, will receive $900,000 to build a manufacturing facility for its technology, which produces algae and seaweed to feed shellfish. Its shellfish are used for both human consumption and ocean restoration projects.

Other local organizations receiving a slice of the money include Fluorescent Design and Namgis Business Development Corporation.

SPONSORED BY TELUS

Keeping the lines of communication open

Working with government and public health officials, TELUS' innovative technologies like Cells on Wheels (COWs) and its smaller counterpart, CALFs, provide portable and rapidly deployable network coverage that ensures uninterrupted connectivity for communities across British Columbia.

📰 More Victoria innovation news

🔝 Straight to the top: Peloton Technologies, the Victoria-based payment solutions platform, was named a Top Innovator by the New York Venture Summit.

🦭 Everybody’s got a hungry heart: Sonar from Ocean Networks Canada is helping northern elephant seals find their dinner. University of Victoria researchers found that the seals seem to connect sonar noise with the appearance of food.

👏 With a little help from my friends: The Centre for Ocean Applied Sustainable Technologies welcomed three new members: Barnacle Systems, Ocean Networks Canada, and PhyCo Technologies.

🕴️Tech jobs of the week

Find your next career:

• Intermediate Systems Administrator at Rebalance

• Customer Success Manager at Premier Cloud

• IT Cloud Infrastructure Specialist at BC Pension Corporation

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

📅 Upcoming events

September 11 | Online | COAST's Blue Pathways Initiative and advancements in AI for the workplace

Discover how AI is revolutionizing marine conservation through COAST's innovative Blue Pathways Initiative. Explore groundbreaking advancements in artificial intelligence that are shaping the future of ocean sustainability and conservation efforts worldwide.

September 26 | 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.

Have an upcoming event? Reply to let us know.

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