Blue Action Canada 2026 opens for applications.
Image: COAST
Applications have opened for the 2026 intake of Blue Action Canada, a four-month accelerator programme targeting early-stage startups in the blue economy. The initiative is run by COAST, Pacific Canada's hub for the sustainable blue economy, alongside global startup investor Founders Factory and climate-focused investor Blue Action.
Up to eight companies will be selected to participate in the programme, with a focus on maritime and port innovation, coastal infrastructure and climate adaptation, biodiversity, and defence and dual-use technologies. The selected teams will receive support across operations, product development, customer discovery, commercialisation and fundraising.
The organisers say the programme also offers access to a network of investors, ports and public-sector partners across ten countries, intended to help participating companies secure pilot projects, testing opportunities and early commercial partnerships.
Applications close on 15 February 2026. The accelerator is due to start shortly afterwards and will conclude with a residential programme in May, timed to coincide with the Vancouver Web Summit.
“Canada has all the ingredients to lead the next wave of the global blue economy - world-class research, deep maritime expertise, and an extraordinary coastline," said Rupert Hayward, president and chairman of Blue Action. "Working alongside COAST, Blue Action Canada is unlocking that potential by backing founders who are building real solutions for climate resilience, maritime innovation, and ocean sustainability."
Funding for the 2026 edition will come from the Canadian Ocean Supercluster (OSC). Its chief executive, Kendra MacDonald, said the organisation sees the accelerator as part of a broader effort to build Canada’s ocean innovation base.
“Over the past five years, we have helped close to 300 new ocean companies start in Canada through our innovation ecosystem projects and programming,” she said. “We are excited to add to this work through our support of the Blue Action Canada program where we know building on our capacities in the future of ports, coastal adaption, biodiversity, dual use and defence and other areas that are critical to environment, security, and economy.”
"We are proud to be returning for a second cohort and connecting Canada’s most ambitious ocean entrepreneurs to global markets, capital, and commercial partners,” Hayward added.