Canadian innovators asked to submit ocean/waterway AI solutions
Ocean Exchange has teamed up with the Marine Environmental Observation, Prediction and Response Network (MEOPAR) to call on startups, researchers, non-profits and data-driven organizations working with ocean data and artificial intelligence. The outreach introduces a Canada-focused extension to the Ocean Exchange ecosystem, and designed to leverage its established network and its process to accelerate innovation for ocean-related challenges.
A C$100,000 MEOPAR-funded non-dilutive Ocean Exchange Neptune Award will be presented to the most impactful AI-based solution using ocean data to improve the understanding and prediction of marine environments. The initiative targets solutions for the ocean, the Great Lakes, and the St. Lawrence River and Gulf, with an emphasis on reducing environmental impacts and supporting the development of a sustainable ocean economy.
The Call for Canadian Innovators is open until August 25th, 2026, at 8 pm ET. Submissions will be evaluated based on innovation, ocean impact, team, ability to scale, customer research, understanding of their value proposition, and the ethical use of AI.
Finalists will be announced September 1st, 2026, and the awards will be presented at an event in Ottawa, Ontario, on September 21st to 22nd. The award winner will be invited to present at the Ocean Exchange annual event in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, being held October 25th to 27th. The two runners-up will also be invited to attend as guests.