Ocean Accelerator (CVAP)

Status: Accepting Applications

Advancing Innovation across B.C.’s Ocean Economy

The COAST Venture Acceleration Program (CVAP), delivered in partnership with VIATEC with funding provided by Innovate BC, provides new ventures focused on opportunities in the ocean economy with a proven pathway to growth through online training and coaching sessions.

Ready to join the Ocean Accelerator?

Any profit-oriented company located in British Columbia that is focused on marine or ocean-based technology is suitable for this program. While we can support ventures at any stage of development, preference will be given to those entrepreneurs that are dedicated full-time to developing their products and businesses, with less than 100 employees.

APPLY NOW

Application Journey

Step 1:

Application Form

Step 2:

Online MVT

Step 3:

Interview

Step 4:

Onboarding

Step 1:

Application Form

Complete the VAP Application form and submit to our programs team for review.

Step 2:

Online MVT

Upon approval of your application, we will send an email that contains a link to the Online Market Validation Training.
You have the option to schedule a coaching call with one of our Executives in Residence (EIR) to assist you with the completion of the exercises in the training material.
You will assemble all of the exercises into a single document called your Company Playbook which you submit for review once completed.

Step 3:

Interview

Upon approval of your playbook, you will be invited to book a meeting with our team or EiR’s to discuss your application and to answer any questions you may have. We will discuss what goals you want to achieve and what type of mentorship you are looking for.
If approved, you will be invited to be part of Ocean Accelerator (CVAP)

Step 4:

Onboarding

After initial meetings or discussions with the EiR we will provide you with further onboarding information.
Congratulations! You're officially part of CVAP.

Executives in Residence

Dr. Shannon Bard

Bio

As the Lead Climate Venture Studio & Entrepreneur in Residence at The University of British Columbia, Shannon Bard is a dynamic leader & innovator with extensive experience in corporate innovation, cleantech & sustainability, habitat restoration & conservation, marine biology, environmental toxicology, eco-risk & human health assessment, and biomedical research.

Shannon provides hands-on support and advice to venture founders and mentors R&D teams in developing and commercializing cutting edge technologies and services across diverse environmental, biomedical, and engineering disciplines.

She is the founding Director of Coastal Scene Investigation supporting stakeholder engagement in resolving complex interdisciplinary environmental health issues, public marine science education, marine ecotoxicology research & conservation programs. Formerly, Shannon was a professor of Environmental Science at Dalhousie University, Director of the Marine Ecotoxicology Laboratory, co-winner of Senate Environmental Award & inaugural winner of the national YTV Environmental Achievement Award.

Programs Team

Rob Bennett

COO, Program Director

Bio

As VIATEC's Chief Operating Officer and Program Director, Rob supports the development of start-up and early stage companies through a variety of programs and resources, most notably the VIATEC Accelerator Program. He has personally been involved in multiple local tech companies as a programmer, founder, angel investor, mentor and coach. He's passionate about the growth and development of the tech community, and you can easily spot him at a variety of community events (he's 6'5" tall!).

Jhenica Tongco

Program Coordinator

Bio

She brings creativity, a strong drive to continually learn, and a passion for making a positive impact in her community.

Born in the Philippines, she moved to Canada with her family in the late 2000s. She pursued Graphic Design at Pacific Design Academy. Worked as a freelancer for several years, where she had the opportunity to collaborate with small businesses around Victoria. Before the pandemic, she flew to Cambodia to volunteer as a Graphic Designer at an NGO where they supported vulnerable children through education, scholarships, and community development. She believes that it was through volunteering that she discovered her talent and enhanced her skills.

Opposite to her personality, as she’s more spontaneous than a planner. Jhenica ensures the efficient day-to-day operation of VIATEC programs and supports the work of accelerator start-up companies, management, and VIATEC staff. Just starting her career in tech, she’s excited to contribute to the growth of multiple ventures, learn more about the start-up ecosystem, and meet inspiring entrepreneurs and mentors.

Her current areas of interest are watching movies, trying new restaurants, and traveling.

OUR COMMITMMENT

VIATEC is committed to enhancing equity and diversity in Greater Victoria's tech sector. Our mission is to cultivate the most cohesive tech community in the world by boosting a sense of belonging and helping to shape our region. We are committed to providing an inclusive experience, regardless of gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race or religion.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is Market Validation Training and why do I have to complete it to get accepted?

As part of the application process we seek to ensure applicants are exposed to the start-up fundamentals that help to ensure success with their start-ups, as well as informing the VAP programs team specifically what their venture is all about.

Entrepreneurs can work through this material at their own pace, and it can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to a couple of months to complete based on how much of the work has already been done. There is no cost to this process, and can be done entirely remotely, and involve as many team members as you wish.

As entrepreneurs work through the MVT modules, they may get stuck on a concept or two, and they can book online coaching calls with our Executives-in-Residence. Sometimes all it needs is the ability to talk through something with an advisor.

Once the entrepreneur has completed the MVT, they submit their results in the form of a slidedeck called the Company Playbook. The Company Playbook is reviewed by the program team, including the Executive-in-Residence (EiRs).

Once the entrepreneur has fully completed the Playbook and demonstrated a reasonable level of competency in doing so, a meeting with the applicant helps further define their needs and confirm their suitability for the program.

Does VIATEC, its staff, contractor or EIR take equity in startups?

How much do I pay?