COAST, a leading platform for fostering innovation and collaboration, has announced the winner of the first annual 2024 Pitchfest. The event, which brought together some of the most innovative minds in the British Columbia marine industry, showcased groundbreaking ideas and entrepreneurial spirit. The competition was tight, highlighting the incredible creativity and ingenuity within the blue economy.

The five finalists were: Bruce Bradley from Bee Sea Kelp and Biochar; Dorn Beattie from Swordfish Energy Inc.; Ranah Chavoshi from PhyCo Technologies; Annie Dahan from Seacork Studio Inc.; and Omid Moradtalab from Tesla Robotics.

Dahan of Seacork Studio emerged victorious with her groundbreaking concept of biodegradable acoustic panels made from seaweed. The idea is aimed at reshaping our connection to materials and their sources.

Pitchfest 2024 is an initiative of COAST, sponsored and facilitated by Spring. COAST hosted Pitchfest as part of its ongoing commitment to support emerging talent and drive forward-thinking initiatives in the blue economy.

The judging panel included: Justin Manley, Marine Technology Society president; Burak Evren, Alacrity Canada’s vice president of impact and sustainability; Graham Day, Spring Impact Capital’s managing partner; Brendan Koops, Ocean Wise business development specialist; and Davina MacPhail, Spring Activator’s director of partnerships.

For more information about COAST and its initiatives, visit: canadacoast.ca.

For more information about Spring, visit: www.spring.is.

To learn more about Seacork Studio, visit: www.seacorkstudio.com.