Author: kieran

Innovation Challenge: Digital Asset Integrity for Subsea Cables

Posted on by kieran

The Net Zero Project has partnered with the Ocean Startup Project to design and promote three challenges for its 2022 Ocean Startup Challenge.

The Ocean Startup Challenge helps turn entrepreneurial ideas or technology into a wave of opportunity! For 2022, the Ocean Startup Challenge is focusing on idea/early stage ocean startups with a TRL of 4 and below, and supporting innovators who are leveraging Canadian ocean assets and capabilities to develop technologies that can be applied to global ocean problems.

Winning teams will receive up to $40,000 in awards, with invaluable business development supports with programming, mentorship, one-on-one sessions with our Executives-in-Residence and industry experts, networking opportunities and more, as part of the program, which runs until March 2023.

Challenge:

Develop a more reliable and lower-cost technology and/or process to monitor and manage the subsea assets of clean energy infrastructure that will withstand the challenges presented by the North Atlantic (e.g., icebergs, geology, weather conditions).

Subsea clean energy infrastructure is being installed in a wide variety of different jurisdictions and applications around the world. This includes the subsea electricity cables associated with the transmission of electricity, along with the more traditional subsea infrastructure like moorings, foundations, etc. that are required for offshore energy developments. The prospect of offshore wind development, the electrification of offshore facilities, increased electricity transmission between jurisdictions, and in situ marine vessel charging is likely to require increased subsea clean energy infrastructure on an international scale – including Canada. Ensuring maximum reliability at a low cost through digitalization and remote operations will become increasingly important and contribute to emissions reductions.

Application deadline: Thursday, September 1, 2022

More Information

Blue Economy Deep Dive – Networking Luncheon and Panel Session

Posted on by kieran

Delta Hotel and Conference Centre
Tuesday, July 26 (12:30pm – 3:00pm)

With so much coastline, it is no surprise that Canada’s ocean sector has a rich history of innovation and leadership in the blue economy. On Tuesday, July 26, OceansAdvance will bring together the local community and Innovate Canada delegates to discuss Canada’s history of ocean innovation and the ways in which it continues to lead the blue economy, globally.

This event coincides with Innovate Canada, organized by Destination Canada along with local hosts, the City of St. John’s and Destination St. John’s. Innovate Canada showcases the ground-breaking work taking place across Canada’s ocean industries to position Canada as a host for future international conferences and events, and investment.

The luncheon will feature a Keynote from Steven Adler, CEO and Founder of The Ocean Data Alliance, and will be followed by a panel moderated by The Economist Group’s, Tatiana der Avedissian, with global oceans experts.

Global Oceans Leaders Panel Discussion

A panel of international ocean experts will discuss their experiences relating to their respective organizations and their impressions on what they feel sets Canada apart in the global blue economy. The session will also feature a Q&A session and will be followed by an opportunity to network with the panelists and all of the Innovate Canada C-suite executives and members of the international media.

Panelists:

Rich Lawson, CEO of the International Ocean Science and Technology Industry Association (IOSTIA), a trade association to provide a voice for companies involved in the various ocean science and technology business sectors primarily outside of the oil and gas industry.

Paul Holthus, Founding President & CEO, World Ocean Council (WOC), a global, cross-sectoral ocean industry leadership alliance committed to “Corporate Ocean Responsibility”, developed by and for the private sector, with a unique and multi-sectoral approach to address cross-cutting issues affecting ocean sustainable development, science and stewardship of the seas.

Steven Adler, CEO, Ocean Data Alliance, had its launch at The United Nations, and is working on business solutions to critical ocean challenges.

Learn more and register

Pitch & Pick Summer ’22

Posted on by kieran

The amazing companies in our intensive Evolution program have been working hard for eight weeks. The top start-ups have been selected to compete in this edition of Pitch & Pick! A panel of expert industry judges will crown the winner, and the audience will be able to vote for a Community Choice recipient. Join us on August 2nd at Emera Innovation Exchange and reconnect with the startup community!

Non-medical mask use is recommended for attendees. Doors will open at 1:30 p.m. A networking reception will follow the competition.

A special thanks to our Evolution supporters Ray Agency, Springboard Atlantic, BDO Canada, TD Canada, Hickman Group, and Cox & Palmer for making this event possible.

Spots are limited so register ASAP!

Learn more and register

NLCA Women In Construction Forum | October 27, 2022

Posted on by kieran

The Women in Construction Forum will provide a platform for educational and professional development, along with an opportunity to network with like-minded women in the construction industry.

This event will empower women to continue to grow and achieve success in the industry with a “We’re Better Together” motto supporting women as we rise by lifting others.

Learn more and register

NLCA 2022 Annual Conference | October 27-29, 2022

Posted on by kieran

The communication and exchanges of ideas with other construction professionals is integral to the future success of the construction industry in out province.

NLCA along with our 2022 Conference Chair, Derek Brown is pleased to invite you to join us for our annual conference at the Delta from October 27-29, 2022. With our line-up of top-rate speakers, innovative exhibitor trade show, events and Awards Gala, this by far is one event that you can not miss out on!

Learn more and register

Trades NL

Posted on by kieran

Trades NL is an umbrella labour organization which promotes and coordinates the interests of 16 building and construction trades unions operating in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. We represent nearly 18,000 craft women and men working to build prosperity in their province. Our qualified workforce is very productive, extremely safe and delivers high quality results.

econext Member Summer Social 2022

Posted on by kieran

Join econext Staff and Board of Directors at our Member Summer Social!

Wed, 13 July 2022
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM NDT

econext Staff and Board of Directors are looking forward to networking with our members in-person once again! Join us on July 13, 2022 for our summer networking social with your fellow econext members!

Refreshments and light hors d’eourves will be served.

*Please note that while this event is free, registration is required. Capacity is limited, so please cancel your reservation if you can no longer attend.*

See you at the social!

Register!

Interested in partnering with econext for this event? Conctact matt@econext.ca” to learn more.

What We Heard – Organics Waste to Value Forum

Posted on by kieran

econext partnered with The Harris Centre in 2022 with participants from forestry, agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture, local and provincial government, academia, research institutions, and others in the organization and delivery of a forum to explore potential “waste-to-value” opportunities for industrial organic waste streams in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The event was also in partnership with the NL Forestry Industry Association (NLFIA), the NL Aquaculture Industry Association (NAIA), the NL Federation of Agriculture (NLFA), the Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation (CCFI), and the Association of Seafood Producers.

The Harris Centre published a ‘What We Heard’ document stemming from the workshop to inform future activities and potential initiatives. Click here to download the report.

econext Advancing Partnerships in the Caribbean Region with Spring Trade Mission

Posted on by kieran

For Immediate Release
June 15, 2022

Following the travel disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, econext was eager to get back on the ground in the Caribbean to pursue partnerships and opportunities.

“While we continued to offer programming during the height of the pandemic including virtual meetings, webinars, and customized consulting services, nothing replaces the value of meeting face-to-face, particularly in relationship-based economies”, says Abbie Hodder, econext’s COO and Director of International Business.

The Spring Mission saw 11 delegate organizations from across Atlantic Canada engaging in over 165 meetings across five countries in the Caribbean region – Barbados, St. Lucia, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Suriname.

Hodder says firms in Atlantic Canada are well positioned to engage in Caribbean markets. “The products and services developed in this region can work well in other island and rural coastal environments, such as those found in the Caribbean.” Hodder notes the region faces similar challenges such as the impacts of climate change, coastal zone erosion, distance from markets, and economies that are resource dependent. “We have a long history of trade with the Caribbean, and we are working to continue and deepen that tradition.”

“Something that sets our program apart is the customized nature of our trade missions. Each delegate receives a bespoke program based on their unique objectives and opportunities. We don’t believe in a ‘one size fits all’ approach. Atlantic Canadian companies are diverse, as are the markets we visit,” says Hodder. “There is a wealth of opportunity throughout the Caribbean in key sectors including the blue and green economy, infrastructure, and training and education. We believe that these opportunities can be successfully pursued through mutually beneficial collaborations between our regions, and that’s the crux of our programming.”

“It was a very productive trade mission,” says delegate Lisa Lovelady, Vice President Academic and COO of Academy Canada, “we look forward to following up on the new opportunities that were generated by our meetings. Academy Canada has established partnerships with local training providers as a direct result of the econext mission.”

In addition to the exploration of new partnerships and opportunities, many of the delegates were celebrating and expanding upon established connections. One such example is Velsoft’s partnership with the Caribbean Tourism Organization. Together they have recently launched the new online school “The Caribbean Tourism Institute”. Other partners such as the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association have now joined on to provide specialized skills training to the local tourism industry.

Another delegate organization, Work Safe Systems, has established a partnership with the Barbados Institute of Management and Productivity (BIMAP), for the delivery of Health, Safety, and Environmental training and consulting. In partnership with Edgewise Environmental, they are developing unique programs to address climate action and the blue economy.

econext’s next Caribbean Trade Mission is set for November 2022.

Since 2014, econext (formerly NEIA) has been collaborating closely with the Department of Industry, Energy and Technology (IET) and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) to deliver a suite of programming for Atlantic Canadian firms to pursue international business opportunities in the Caribbean region. econext’s Caribbean program is comprehensive, comprised of in-depth market research, information sessions, customized firm-level supports, and the coordination of incoming and outgoing trade missions. Atlantic Canadian companies with interests or questions about the econext Caribbean Program can contact Abbie Hodder at abbie@econext.ca or by visiting https://econext.ca/caribbean-program/

econext is an association of businesses that accelerates clean growth in Newfoundland and Labrador and works on behalf of over 200 members to foster environmentally sustainable economic development. More information can be found at https://econext.ca

View the backgrounder here.

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Climate Action in Newfoundland and Labrador Communities

Posted on by kieran

econext engaged with 42 community stakeholders across the province to understand their climate action priorities. The purpose of the research was to help econext understand the current level of climate action taking place in communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as the future initiatives and projects that were being prioritized.

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