Ocean Idea Challenge Returns to help new Founders Validate Sustainable Ocean Solutions
The Ocean Startup Project has opened applications for the 2026 Ocean Idea Challenge, a national early-stage three-month sprint that helps Canadians turn bold ocean ideas into validated startup opportunities. Selected teams can receive up to $8,000 and hands-on support from Ocean Ecosystem Navigators to pressure-test assumptions through real customer conversations, build evidence, and make smart decisions early on so they can move forward - or pivot - with confidence.
“The Ocean Idea Challenge is an on-ramp to Canada’s ocean innovation economy — built for people who are ready to test, learn, and move. This is where new ocean founders get momentum: structure, coaching, and a national network that helps transform early ideas into credible opportunities,” said Natasha Legay, Challenge Director at the Ocean Startup Project. “If you’ve got an ocean idea with potential, we’ll help you pressure-test it, sharpen it, and take your first real steps toward a venture.”
To date, 54 teams have completed the program, with most continuing onto other OSP programming such as Lab2Market Oceans, Ocean Startup Challenge, Boost and Amplify.
The Ocean Idea Challenge is designed for individuals and teams who are pre-company or very early-stage, including those who haven’t registered a business yet, or who have been incorporated for one year or less and are still validating. Applicants must be 18-plus and based in Canada.
In the coming weeks, OSP will roll out a series of industry-vetted Challenge Statements highlighting priority needs and real-world opportunities across ocean sectors — giving would-be founders clear inspiration and a stronger starting point for idea development and validation.
Key dates for the 2026 program include:
February 26, 2026: Registration Opens
March 12, 2026: English Program information session #1
March 26, 2026: French Program information session
March 31, 2026: Workshop: How to talk about your ocean tech
April 8, 2026: Workshop - Overcoming a Customer Discovery Cold Start
April 9, 2026: English Program information session #2
April 12, 2026: Registration Deadline
Participant selection will take place in mid-to late-April, with programming following. Full details, including the program information package and registration, are available at oceanstartupproject.ca/idea-challenge.