Canada’s Ocean Supercluster: Solving Ocean Challenges

Answers to many of today’s biggest challenges can be found in one place: the heart of the ocean. From climate change solutions to economic opportunities, Canadians can build thriving communities and a healthier planet by harnessing the ocean’s potential and protecting it for generations to come.

We spoke with Nancy Andrews, Chief Engagement and Communications Officer at Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, about how this national ocean cluster is convening partnerships to develop solutions to shared ocean challenges.

What was the “spark” that inspired your founders to start your cluster?

Canada launched a competition to form five superclusters, and more than 100 applications from consortiums across the country responded. As a result, in 2018, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster (OSC) became one of Canada’s five national clusters, making us an industry-led national ocean cluster with funding from the federal government. 

Since then, we have built a network of 700 members across the country and globally, co-invested in more than 100 ocean innovation projects within the industry, and helped convene partnerships across different regions and sectors to accelerate the development of solutions to shared ocean challenges. 

We are also focused on building a robust innovation ecosystem to support the momentum and growth we are seeing in the sustainable ocean economy in Canada, where we deliver projects focused on startups, workforces, and capabilities building for the future of the ocean sector.

What do you consider to be your biggest success? Can you share any stories of the impact your work has had that have surprised you?

We built Canada’s Ocean Supercluster from the ground up. Just six years ago we didn’t even have a bank account. Today, we have 30 staff working across eight provinces, 700 members in Canada and beyond, and exciting global partnerships that are opening up new opportunities for Canadian companies. Our project portfolio has 300 partners working together, and their work will see more than 220 new, made-in-Canada ocean products and services for sale in global markets. 

During the pandemic when things were slowing down, we were able to ramp up more new projects, triggering industry investment when there may have otherwise been less. As a result, we saw member companies not only maintain operations and staff but grow. 

A point of pride for the OSC is certainly the recognition it and Canada are garnering globally. In the last two years alone, Canada’s rankings in the strongest ocean innovation ecosystems in the world have jumped two points, which is a testament to the work we and many other key regional hubs across the country are doing. 

Just four years after announcing it, our Ocean Startup Project was named a top accelerator in North America. From that project, many companies have grown further and moved on to lead and partner on core Ocean Supercluster projects, a clear indication that the model is working as intended.

How can oceans and water provide solutions to help make the world better?

If you look at many of the world’s biggest challenges (and opportunities), our oceans are where the answers exist. From energy transition to food security to decarbonization of marine shipping, and other climate solutions, it’s our oceans that are at the heart of the solutions we need. 

A report released by the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy showed last year that close to 40% of the emissions required to meet our net zero targets can come from oceans. 

Oceans are not only important to the health of our planet in all these ways, but in providing those solutions, there is also significant economic opportunity that in turn provides good jobs and contributes to thriving communities and an innovation economy.

What are some of the challenges you typically face in carrying out your purpose?

Oceans matter to us all, whether you live by an ocean or not — from the air we breathe, the food we eat, the way we move goods and people, to the regulation of the planet. But the ocean is not always top of mind for Canadians who don’t have a direct connection to it. And so, we not only want to build greater awareness around the future of Canada’s sustainable ocean economy but excitement for the transformational growth potential it presents through Ambition 2035, a platform to shape a $220 billion ocean economy by 2035. 

So whether we’re speaking with a technology company that has never considered a marine application, a policymaker who is shaping economic priorities for the country, an investor who is exploring opportunities to get involved in the ocean economy, or workers who may not be aware of the really exciting work in both traditional and emerging sectors in the ocean, we want them to get excited about the possibilities and make ocean top of mind.

Are there any upcoming initiatives or projects you’d like to share?

Recently, we were excited to announce the $8 million Phase 3 of the Ocean Startup Project. This is a project that has helped more than 180 new ocean companies in Canada get a start, many of which have gone on to grow and scale, and now are leading or partnering in commercially-focused projects with Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, including companies like OnDeck Fisheries.

What can people do to help support your mission?

For those who want to get involved with Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, there are associate and industry memberships available. Visit oceansupercluster.ca for more information and to get started.

Whether you are an OSC member or not, we encourage you to get involved in Ambition 2035. This is a transformational opportunity that will take all of us! Visit ambition2035.ca for more information and to start using the toolkit.

This story was featured in the Make The World Better Magazine: