Putting the Spotlight on Start-Ups Driving Innovation and Growth
News Release
Nova Scotia ocean and clean technology start-up acceleration program winners announced
November 15, 2017 – Dartmouth, NS – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Acceleration programs prepare start-ups for success, helping them refine product ideas and build on their investor-readiness. That is why the Government of Canada is working with Innovacorp through province-wide competitions to identify early stage companies that will drive innovation in the clean-tech and ocean sectors. As they further develop their business models, the successful companies will create highly skilled jobs contributing to a low carbon economy and a sustainable marine environment.
Darren Fisher, Member of Parliament for Dartmouth – Cole Harbour, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), was onsite at Innovacorp today to announce the 27 winning companies that will gain access to the organization’s acceleration programs. These competitions to further grow and develop these burgeoning sectors were made possible thanks to support from ACOA and Innovacorp.
This project builds on the Government of Canada and the four Atlantic Provinces’ commitment to drive economic growth in Atlantic Canada through the Atlantic Growth Strategy, which involves targeted actions to spur value-added opportunities for resource-based industries such as the fisheries, forestry and agriculture. The strategy also supports clean growth and innovation in emerging sectors to help expand and diversify the regional economy.
Quotes
“The Government of Canada is working to position our country as a global centre of innovation. We are doing this in Atlantic Canada through ACOA investments in smart, collaborative partnerships that fuel growth. Our support for the ocean and clean technology sectors reflects our commitment to creating good highly-skilled jobs, growing the economy and protecting the environment.”
- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA
“With over 7,000 kilometres of coastline and industries as varied as the fisheries, energy and tourism linked to the marine environment, Nova Scotia is committed to strengthening the ocean sector and mitigating the impacts of climate change. Investments in early stage businesses in the ocean and clean technology sectors will help to grow and solidify Canada’s reputation as a leader on the global stage.”
- Darren Fisher, Member of Parliament for Dartmouth-Cole Harbour
“There is tremendous growth and opportunity in our oceans and clean technology sectors. Innovacorp’s accelerator programs build on that momentum, giving companies like Enginuity the support they need to keep being innovative and create jobs.”
- Hugh MacKay, Member of the Legislative of Assembly for Chester – St. Margaret’s on behalf of Minister of Business Geoff MacLellan
Quick Facts
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The global market value of ocean-related goods and services is estimated at over $3 trillion.
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More than 200 ocean-related companies develop sophisticated goods and services for global markets in Nova Scotia, including 60 high-tech innovators. Collectively they generate revenues in excess of one billion dollars and account for one third of total research and development projects among businesses in Nova Scotia.
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The Province of Nova Scotia was first in North America to put caps on greenhouse gas emissions and is home to one of only three commercial tidal energy plants in the world.
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This week, some 160 countries around the world are celebrating Global Entrepreneurship Week. Entrepreneurs are the backbone of the economy in Atlantic Canada. There are 85,000 small- and medium-sized enterprises operating in Atlantic Canada that make up over 99% of businesses in the region. These businesses provide the biggest potential for continued job creation and economic growth.
Associated Links
Contacts
Lori Selig
Communications Manager
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Phone: 902-266-7477 (cell)
E-mail: lori.selig@canada.ca
Michaela Meltzer Gardner
Marketing & Communications Specialist
Innovacorp
Phone: 902-424-8670 ext 1197 / 902-499-2308 (cell)
Email: MMeltzerGardner@innovacorp.ca