What a Clean-Tech Moonshot Looks Like—Right Here in Victoria

There’s something really special about watching a local company you believe in get the recognition they deserve.

Last May 14, 2025, Open Ocean Robotics was named one of  Canada’s Top 20 Moonshot Ventures of 2025. And to be honest, we’re still smiling.

It’s not just a list. It’s a spotlight on Canada’s most ambitious, impact-driven startups—companies tackling big problems with bold ideas. And seeing Open Ocean there made us feel proud in a different kind of way.

Because they’re not just one of the top startups in the country right now. They’re from right here, in Victoria. And they’re building something that matters deeply—to our environment, our future, and our coastal communities.

What makes Open Ocean Robotics a “moonshot”?

When you hear “moonshot,” you probably think of massive goals and breakthrough technology. But what we love most about Open Ocean Robotics is how practical their vision is—and how big it feels once you understand it.

They design and build autonomous, solar-powered boats that roam the ocean collecting data. No crew, no fuel, and no emissions. Just sunlight, sensors, and smart software doing the job of a traditional research vessel—without the environmental or financial cost.

These boats are equipped with:

• Satellite communication, radar, and sonar
• 360° and thermal cameras
• AI navigation and towed hydrophones
• Real-time data transmission

They’ve already been deployed to help track endangered whales, monitor marine traffic, support enforcement in protected zones, and contribute to climate research.

It’s not a moonshot in the sense of being out of reach. It’s a moonshot because it changes what’s possible.

Why it hits home for us

At Cindicates, we invest in early-stage BC companies solving real problems. And we have a special place in our hearts for founders who are quietly doing big things.

Open Ocean Robotics was co-founded by Julie Angus, a scientist and ocean rower (yes, she literally rowed across the Atlantic). Her lived experience on the water gave her a firsthand look at just how outdated and dangerous ocean monitoring could be.

So she did what all great founders do: she questioned the status quo and built a better alternative.

That kind of founder story—the kind that starts with a personal challenge and turns into something global—is why we love doing what we do.

Recognition that’s been a long time coming

This “moonshot” recognition follows a streak of major wins for Open Ocean Robotics:

•  Autonomous System Award at BlueTIDE 2024
•  Second place at the PIER71 Smart Port Challenge in Singapore
•  Innovation Award from the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce
• Selected for the Katapult Ocean Accelerator
  

What this means for Victoria and for all of us

It’s easy to assume that global breakthroughs happen somewhere else. Silicon Valley. Toronto. Europe. But Open Ocean Robotics reminds us that some of the most meaningful innovation is happening right here on the West Coast.

They’re showing the world that Victoria isn’t just a beautiful place to live—it’s a place where world-class innovation can thrive. Where clean tech isn’t a dream—it’s already in the water.

As investors, moments like this matter. Not because of the headlines, but because they confirm what we’ve always believed: that supporting early-stage, BC-based startups isn’t just good for our portfolio—it’s good for our communities, our ecosystems, and our future.

To the Open Ocean Robotics team, congratulations!

You’ve earned this. And we’re proud to be on this journey with you.

Keep sailing forward. The world is watching.