OceanFest

Explore the Ocean of Opportunities for Blue Economy Innovation

July 10th, 2025

Make waves in the ocean economy

Our water systems, including oceans, rivers, and lakes, are vital to the health of our planet, our economies, and our communities. OceanFest is your gateway to discovering how innovation can sustainably shape the future of our oceans.

About OceanFest

Who should attend?

What to expect?

2024 Speakers

Jennifer LaPlante

Chief Growth & Investment Officer, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster

Kendra MacDonald

Chief Executive Officer  , Canada’s Ocean Supercluster

Ted Janulis

Founder & Principal , Investable Oceans

Julie Gascon

President and CEO, Port of Montreal

Simon Olivier

Head of Cycle H2O Fund

Senior Partner, Cycle Capital

Emily Charry Tissier

CEO, Whale Seeker

Pierre Erwes

Partner & Deal flow and strategic partnerships , Blue Forward Fund

The Honorable Ethel Blondin-Andrew PC OC

Co-chair of the Board of Directors , National Indigenous Fisheries Institute

Derrick Whalen

Director, Information and Technology Services, Halifax Port Authority

Paula Mendonça

Executive Director, Ocean Startup Project

Nancy Andrews

Chief Engagement and Communications Officer, Canada's Ocean Supercluster

Barry Stevens

President, Stevens Solutions & Design Inc. 3D Wave Design

Ann Carpenter

CEO, Braid Theory

Lauren McGuire

VP Banking, RBCx, Royal Bank of Canada

Rodrigo Prudencio

Managing Partner, Propeller VC

Sophie Silkes

Director of Strategic Engagement, COAST

Dr. Chris Whidden

DeepSense/COVE Digital Ocean Research Chair, Dalhousie University

Susan Hunt

Chief Innovation Officer, Oneka Technologies

Ken Paul

Principal / Owner, Pokiok Associates

Rachel Cox

Accelerator Program Manager, COVE

Simon Savard

Project Manager, Port de Montréal

Kimberly Buffitt

Chief Operating Officer , NIFI TECH CORP

Sophie LeDrew

Senior Advisor, Partnerships, Mila – Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute

Rémi Fournier

Partner, BDC Capital | Industry, Clean Energy & Technology Funds and Sustainability Venture Fund, BDC