Ocean Startup Project Names First Amplify Winners and Welcomes New Program Partner
CANADA (September 29, 2025)—The Ocean Startup Project (OSP) announced today the first cohort of startups selected for funding through Amplify, a collaborative program supporting high-potential Canadian ocean technology ventures accelerate commercialization.
Launched this past summer, Amplify provides up to $25,000 per company to support pilot projects, customer demonstrations, and technology deployments. In this initial program pilot, $100,000 in funding is available to help ocean startups close the gap between building innovative solutions and landing their first major customers.
After a competitive review process, the following companies have been selected as Amplify’s inaugural winners:
Tydra Labs (BC) transforms crustacean shell waste into high-performance, biodegradable materials using a proprietary, zero-waste bioprocess.
PhyCo Technologies (BC/PEI) develops earth-digestible and non-toxic seaweed-based bioplastic alternatives designed for use in agricultural film, wrap and coating applications.
Aquarius Fishing Technologies (QC) develops a disruptive technology to control fishing net depth on trawlers, reducing impact on the environment and improving trawlers' efficiency.
“Commercial traction is one of the biggest hurdles ocean startups face, and Amplify was designed to bridge that gap,” said Paula Mendonça, Executive Director of the Ocean Startup Project. “By working hand-in-hand with our partners, we are building a strong ecosystem of support that helps ocean companies move from pilots to customers, and from promising ideas to real-world impact.”
Through Amplify, the winning startups will work with program partners to achieve critical commercialization milestones. As Amplify grows, OSP recently welcomed Québec-based 2 Degrés as a new program partner. With its strong focus on climate innovation and startup acceleration, 2 Degrés strengthens Amplify’s reach in Quebec and opens new opportunities for ocean startups in the Province to progress towards commercialization.
“For several years, we have been supporting the development of technological innovations in the maritime sector, so it was only natural for us to become OSP’s Quebec partner for the Amplify program,” said Rosalie Simard, Director - projects and partnerships at 2 Degrés. “We are excited about this collaboration, which helps connect cleantech startups with potential industrial clients and accelerate their path to commercialization.”
This announcement marks the latest advancement in OSP’s five-year history of startup support programming designed to strengthen Canada’s position as a global leader in ocean innovation. By leading collaborative initiatives with partners, OSP is accelerating pathways to revenue, procurement, and investment for ocean startups across the country.
Learn more about Amplify and future funding opportunities: https://oceanstartupproject.ca/amplify
About the Ocean Startup Project
The Ocean Startup Project is advancing Canada as a global leader for ocean entrepreneurs, driving innovation across the ocean economy. Our mission is to transform Canada into a thriving hub for ocean startups, from inception to global market reach. Through partnerships with Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and regional organizations including Centre for Ocean Applied Technologies (COAST), Creative Destruction Lab (CDL), Genesis, Invest Nova Scotia, New Brunswick Innovation Foundation (NBIF), PEI BioAlliance, Springboard Atlantic, and V1 Studio we strengthen Canada’s ocean-focused innovation ecosystem. Recognized by Startup Genome as one of the top 5 accelerators in North America and top 10 globally in the Blue Economy sector, we are accelerating the success of ocean startups and positioning Canada at the forefront of the global blue economy.
About 2 Degrés
2 Degrés is an impact incubator dedicated to startups and innovation projects in clean technology in Quebec. Through its programs, it accompanies, supports, and propels pre-startup clean technology companies. Thanks to a dedicated team, a network of committed partners and collaborators, 2 Degrés has supported more than 80 innovative companies demonstrating strong growth and impact potential since 2021.