Community spotlight: Barnacle Systems

The Victoria Tech Community Awards showcase the community of 1,000 companies and 17,000 workers who push innovation forward, and drive the city’s $4 billion tech economy. Our spotlight series highlights award finalists and winners so you can get to know them a little bit better. Read about other community members here.

Today, we’re featuring Brandon Wright, founder and CEO of Barnacle Systems.

Describe your company.

Barnacle Systems is an award-winning manufacturer of security and monitoring systems for boats. The BRNKL product line protects recreational, industrial, and military vessels in over 40 countries around the world.

What problem is your company solving and how is it solving it?

We make it easy for people to know and respond to what happens on their boat, no matter where they are. BRNKL allows you to remotely check on your vessel and receive notifications on your smartphone, and monitor your boat’s position and critical systems. When paired with security cameras and accessories, BRNKL can detect intruders and ward off threats, keeping your boat protected even if you’re halfway around the world. These features deliver peace of mind, help prevent damage, and make sure all onboard systems are operating as expected.

What’s a recent milestone or breakthrough your company is proud of?

In 2022, we launched BRNKL Black, a sensor hub for government and military boats. Since its announcement we have secured federal contracts with the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Special Operations Forces Command, and Defence Research and Development Canada, to name a few. These projects have BRNKL Black being deployed on electric boats, monitoring damage control systems on large Navy ships, and providing perimeter surveillance in the Arctic. This has been a major breakthrough for our small business. Pursuing and securing federal contracts was a massive undertaking and something we’re very proud of accomplishing.

What makes Victoria a great place to build a technology business?

Victoria is a great place to build a technology business because of its proximity to amazing universities and the ocean!

What local tech company or product excites you the most right now?

We’re excited for Locelle and their mentorship for women-led programs and community! We are so encouraged by the growth of diverse workforces and the resources available to support employers and individuals.