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Atlantic Canada accelerates aquaculture innovation with new founder-focused growth program
Atlantic Canada is doubling down on its ambition to become a global centre for aquaculture innovation with the launch of a new Innovation Studio designed to help companies scale faster, attract investment, and commercialize technologies built in the region.
The Atlantic Canada Aquaculture Studio, delivered by Hatch Blue in partnership with Oceans Advance, will launch this July in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. Funded by the Government of Canada, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the program will support high-potential aquaculture, aquatech, and marine biotechnology companies that are ready to move beyond early validation and into growth.
The studio will support up to ten companies through a nine-month founder-focused program combining in-person workshops, industry engagement, and investment readiness support.
A region built for aquaculture innovation
As global demand for sustainable protein and ocean-based solutions grows, regions that combine marine science, industry infrastructure, and entrepreneurial talent are becoming increasingly competitive. Atlantic Canada already has strong research and aquaculture expertise. The opportunity now is to translate that strength into scalable aquaculture technology companies rooted in the region.
“Atlantic Canada has every ingredient needed to lead the next wave of global aquaculture innovation – world-class science, deep ocean expertise, and a growing community of ambitious technology companies. The launch of the Atlantic Canada Aquaculture Studio marks a pivotal moment for our region. We are creating the conditions for company founders to accelerate their ideas, attract investment, and build scalable companies right here at home. This studio is about more than supporting entrepreneurs – it is about positioning Atlantic Canada as a global centre for aquaculture technology and shaping the future of sustainable, ocean-based food systems,”said Shelly Petten, CEO of Oceans Advance.
An innovation studio to advance aquaculture
Atlantic Canada is uniquely positioned to lead in aquaculture innovation, with abundant coastal resources, a deep maritime heritage, and a supportive regulatory environment that enables growth. The region is home to a growing ecosystem of companies and entrepreneurs working to advance aquaculture technologies and solutions.
The innovation studio is designed to accelerate that momentum. The studio provides founder-focused support through mentoring, industry connections, and investment readiness support. Participation is offered at no cost and without taking equity.
“We run aquaculture innovation programs around the world, and Atlantic Canada stands out. Alongside its deep seafood heritage, what is notable here is the strong government support and regulatory environment that enables aquaculture to grow. For founders building the next generation of aquaculture technologies, this creates a real opportunity to build companies, attract investment, and scale globally from the region,” said Dylan Terry, Studio Director, Hatch Blue.
The studio invites ambitious teams building innovative solutions across aquaculture, aquatech, and marine biotechnology. Technology startups and scaleups already operating in the ocean space, as well as teams applying solutions from adjacent sectors to the aquaculture industry, are encouraged to apply. The program is open to companies that are registered and operating in Atlantic Canada.
Considering the entire value chain
Innovation across the aquaculture value chain is increasingly shaping global competitiveness. In Atlantic Canada, this includes advances in production technologies, genetics, feed innovation, and marine biotechnology. The region’s ability to combine strong science with industry expertise positions it to lead the development of next-generation aquaculture solutions.
To drive growth across the sector, applications are invited in the following focus areas:
- Sustainable feed and nutrition
- Animal health, genetics and disease prevention
- Aquaculture technology and automation
- Marine biotechnology and new ocean-derived products
- Biomaterials, nutraceuticals and industrial applications
As global demand for sustainable ocean-based protein continues to rise, Canada’s Atlantic region is seeking to position itself not only as a producer of seafood, but as a centre for the technologies and companies shaping the future of aquaculture.
To apply, visit: https://www.hatch.blue/programs/atlantic-canada-aquaculture-studio-2026
Related articles: https://oceansupercluster.ca/project/canadas-ocean-supercluster-announces-1-7m-atlantic-canada-aquaculture-innovation-studio-project/
About Hatch Blue
Hatch Blue is a global investment firm specializing in aquaculture. The company integrates investing, consulting, and innovation programs to build and accelerate the global aquaculture sector. Its flagship fund, the Blue Revolution Fund, invests in scalable technologies and solutions that improve productivity, sustainability, and resilience across the seafood value chain. Hatch Blue is headquartered in Ireland, with additional presence in Norway, Germany, and Singapore.
About Oceans Advance
Oceans Advance is the ocean technology industry association for Newfoundland and Labrador, uniting industry leaders, academic institutions, research organizations, and government partners to foster collaboration and stimulate economic growth. Since its founding in 2005, Oceans Advance has represented over 90 export-oriented companies and organizations committed to developing cutting-edge solutions across offshore energy, fisheries, aquaculture, ocean observation, and other marine sectors.
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