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?
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OceanFest 2025 Agenda

July 10

8:30 AM EDT

OceanFest

Flow State: A Mindful Start to OceanFest

Before diving into a dynamic day of bold conversations, big ideas, and innovation in action, join us for a grounding start to OceanFest with coffee and tea on arrival. See More.

9:00 AM EDT

OceanFest

Welcome to OceanFest!

Executive Director
Ocean Startup Project
Chief Executive Officer 
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
Director of Marketing and Communications
Ocean Startup Project

9:10 AM EDT

OceanFest

Mission "Impossible": How a Contrarian Startup Won an XPRIZE

Without our oceans, the earth would have already warmed by 36C. As the most powerful buffer to climate change, it's no surprise that study after study shows that ocean-based climate solutions have the potential to be the highest-scale tools we have. So why have you never heard of them? In this session, Mike Kelland will take us on the journey from Planetary's founding to winning an XPRIZE for demonstrating the highest-scale form of carbon removal in the world. Along the way, we'll see why working on things that everyone "knows" are impossible can sometimes be the simplest path to success. See More.
CEO & Co-Founder
Planetary

9:25 AM EDT

OceanFest

Stronger Together: How Big Companies and Startups Unlock Mutual Success in the Ocean Economy

When big companies and startups join forces, the results can be transformative. This panel will explore how collaborations like Thales and Corsphere create win-win outcomes, driving innovation and growth for both parties. Featuring insights from COVE’s Naval Technology Innovation Challenge, we will discuss how these partnerships accelerate R&D, open new markets, and solve complex challenges in the sustainable ocean economy. Learn how startups gain scale and resources, while corporates tap into agility and fresh ideas proving that together, they can achieve far more than they could alone. See More.
Director of Venture Growth
COVE
Lead
Cycle H2O Water Fund
Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer
CORSphere
Vice President, Strategy & Government Relations
Thales Canada

10:05 AM EDT

OceanFest

Ocean vs. Space: The Next Frontier for Innovation

Oceans and space represent two of humanity’s most exciting and challenging frontiers. But which holds the greatest potential for innovation, investment, and impact? In this session, we’ll pit space against oceans in a lively debate, exploring the biggest opportunities, challenges, and synergies between these sectors. From satellite monitoring of ocean health to deep-sea robotics inspired by space exploration, discover how cutting-edge technologies are bridging these two worlds. Join us to hear from leading experts, uncover cross-sector collaborations, and decide which frontier will shape the future of our planet and beyond. See More.
CTO
Whale Seeker
Founder
The Imaginative Scientist
Founder & CEO
Moon Trades
CEO & CTO
Reaction Dynamics

11:05 AM EDT

OceanFest

Startup Showcase

The Ocean Startup Showcase is an opportunity to connect with industry leaders, investors, government funders, and entrepreneurs as we shine a spotlight on some of the most innovative ocean technology startups in Canada. We will feature rapid-fire pitches from emerging ocean companies, sparking meaningful conversations and networking opportunities among attendees. See More.

11:40 AM EDT

OceanFest

Innovating for a Sustainable Blue Economy: Leadership in Action

Join us for an inspiring closing keynote with ECOP Canada Ambassador and founder of The Imaginative Scientist, Moronke Harris, an award-winning deep-sea scientist, TEDx speaker, and creative leader driving innovation at the intersection of ocean sustainability, exploration, and communication. See More.
Founder
The Imaginative Scientist

11:55 AM EDT

OceanFest

That's a wrap!

2025 OceanFest speakers

Simon Olivier

Lead, Cycle H2O Water Fund

Antoine Gagné-Turcotte

CTO, Whale Seeker

Amanda Horn

Director of Marketing and Communications, Ocean Startup Project

Paula Mendonça

Executive Director, Ocean Startup Project

James Kesten

Director of Venture Growth, COVE

Bachar Elzein

CEO & CTO, Reaction Dynamics

Mike Kelland

CEO & Co-Founder, Planetary

Moronke Harris

Founder, The Imaginative Scientist

Kendra MacDonald

Chief Executive Officer  , Canada’s Ocean Supercluster

Tahrin Maruf

Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer, CORSphere

Cara Salci

Vice President, Strategy & Government Relations, Thales Canada

Wintta Ghebreiyesus

Founder & CEO, Moon Trades

Partners & Sponsors

Presented by:

In partnership with:

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