The Halifax Ocean Innovation Centre

Dr. Martha Crago, VP Research, Dalhousie UniversityJim Hanlon, President & CEO, Institute for Ocean Research Enterprise

September 16, 2014

Transforming the Dartmouth Coast Guard Base into an ocean innovation and commercialization centre

The Challenge

• How can NS more fully leverage our natural and developed competitive advantages in the ocean science and technology sector to drive more innovation, investment, commercialization and growth?

• The development of this sector is tied directly to the province’s ability to maximize benefits from significant economic growth opportunities like: offshore oil and gas, maritime security, shipbuilding, ocean science, fisheries and aquaculture

The Ocean Science & Tech Sector

• Over 200 companies, more than 60 innovators of new products and services

• Export oriented (“5/95” companies)• Revenues of over $1B (2011)• Highest concentration of oceans-related

PhDs in the world (450)• $3 trillion annual global market value for

ocean-related goods and services• Anchor institutions: Dal, BIO, DND, NRC

The Ocean Science & Tech Sector

• Represents more than 10% of all researchers in Atlantic Canada

• Oceans research being done by all Universities and NSCC

• Big Projects at Dalhousie– Canada Excellence Research Chair ~ $34m– Ocean Tracking Network ~ $128m– MEOPAR ~ $25m– Steele Ocean Science Building ~ new $30m

At a Glance: Nova Scotia’s Oceans/Marine Eco-system

ROVs & AUVsAcoustics, Sensors,

and Instrumentation Marine Geomatics Marine BiotechnologyNaval Architecture and

IT Systems

Defence and Security

Ocean Science and Observation

Fisheries and Aquaculture

Offshore and Coastal Energy

Shipbuilding and Marine Transportation

A strategic waterfront site to support the continued growth of the Nova Scotia oceans/marine ecosystem:• Support economic development via sector growth rather than direct, firm-

level supports• Advance OneNS priorities viz. startups, university research, promote R&D

investment, export oriented growth, entrepreneurialism, student retention• Private sector interest: Opportunity to leverage IRB funds, generate

revenues through innovation use and generate revenues through traditional use (Pilot Authority, etc.)

• Co-location of universities, SMEs and larger companies to promote cluster growth

• Shared infrastructure to support investment in and commercialization of university and private sector R&D

• Incubation/acceleration space for start ups in the sector• Access to ocean frontage, marine infrastructure

The Opportunity: The Halifax Marine Innovation Hub

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Repurpose Existing Resources

• A unique opportunity to create a world-class innovation and commercialization centre for the oceans/marine sector on the Halifax waterfront

• Establishes a key hub for the Nova Scotia oceans/marine ecosystem

• Centre will be home to private sector firms, university and NSCC students and researchers, industry associations, start-ups, funding agencies and government

• Secures and maximizes the long term benefits of a strategic land asset

• Building growth through supportive infrastructure, talent and strong linkages

Summary

Coalition Next Steps

• An opportunity to demonstrate world-class oceans R&D, commercialization and entrepreneurship

• The Coalition could indicate its broad-based support for this type of initiative

• Support and encourage the mobilization universities, research institutions, private sector companies (particularly with shipbuilding IRBs) and all levels of government to coordinate and implement this effort