Ocean Diagnostics

What Ocean Diagnostics does

Ocean Diagnostics Inc. is a privately held Canadian environmental impact company, founded in 2018 and headquartered in Victoria, British Columbia, that develops automated technologies for monitoring microplastics pollution and biodiversity loss in freshwater and marine environments. Its core hardware consists of the Ascension depth sampler — available in microplastics and eDNA variants — which collects up to 7 in-situ filtered samples per deployment down to 400-meter depths from small vessels or fixed installations with onboard CTD sensing, and the Saturna automated microplastics imaging system, which uses proprietary computer-vision algorithms to extract 13 size, shape, and colour metrics per particle. The Discovery eDNA surface sampler, a Microplastics Community Science and Education Toolkit, an ISO-5 Clean laboratory providing FTIR polymer-identification services, and an in-development real-time in-situ microplastics sensor (co-developed with the National Research Council Canada) round out the platform.

The company operates a dual go-to-market: enterprise field sales with quote-based pricing for Ascension into universities, government agencies (DFO, ECCC, NRC, NOAA, Parks Australia), and NGOs (Minderoo Foundation, SeaChange, Raincoast), combined with a Shopify e-commerce storefront selling the Saturna ($649) and Community Science Toolkit ($899.99) for self-serve purchase by community scientists and schools. Major partners include the Minderoo Foundation's OceanOmics program (which generated 1.2 billion DNA barcodes across 2,000 km of Australian coastline), NRC for a Canadian National Microplastics Monitoring Framework running through 2026, the University of Washington and NOAA for cetacean eDNA monitoring, and BIDC for Caribbean community-science deployment. Revenue derives from hardware sales (Ascension, Saturna, Discovery, Toolkit) and laboratory analysis services, with no disclosed funding beyond a $0-disclosed Alacrity Canada relationship in 2020.

Name

Ocean Diagnostics

Legal name

Ocean Diagnostics Inc.

Website

https://oceandiagnostics.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Ocean Diagnostics develops automated hardware (Ascension depth samplers, Saturna imaging system) and laboratory services for microplastics and environmental DNA monitoring, selling to universities, government agencies, NGOs, and citizen scientists worldwide from its Victoria, BC base.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Monitoring Instruments

NAICS

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Testing Laboratories and Services (54138), Environmental Consulting Services (54162)

SIC

Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Emerging Contaminants Testing & Risk Management (PFAS, microplastics, pharmaceuticals) (EUANAJAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sampling Programs & Field Services (grab/composite sampling, chain-of-custody, logistics) (EUANAJAD), Online Monitoring, Sensors & Instrumentation (SCADA-integrated analyzers, probes, samplers) (EUANAJAC), Environmental DNA (eDNA) & Advanced Biodiversity Methods (Bioacoustics, Camera Traps) (EUAHAHAM), Wastewater & Environmental Pathogen Surveillance (HLAJABAI)

Keywords

• Environmental monitoring instruments
• Microplastics sampling technology
• Environmental DNA analysis
• Marine biodiversity research
• Water quality sensors

Headquarters

HQ city

Victoria

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales - Ascension Depth Sampler: Sale of the Ascension automated depth sampler, a portable scientific instrument used for collecting filtered microplastics and eDNA samples. Sold directly to research institutions, government agencies, and conservation organizations via enterprise sales motion with quote-based pricing.
2. Hardware Sales - Saturna Imaging System: Direct e-commerce sale of the Saturna automated microplastics imaging system for $649.00 USD. Sold through the company's Shopify storefront to researchers, community scientists, and educational institutions.
3. Community Science Toolkit Sales: Sale of the Microplastics Community Science and Education Toolkit (bundle including Saturna, sampling supplies, and educational materials) for $899.99 USD through the e-commerce storefront. Targets citizen scientists, schools, and community groups.
4. Scientific Analysis Services: Laboratory analysis services provided through the company's ISO-5 Clean certified microplastics analysis laboratory. FTIR spectroscopy and polymer type identification services for samples collected by research partners and community science programs. Provides chemical validation of microplastics data.
5. eDNA Surface Sampler Sales: Sale of the Discovery portable eDNA surface sampler, a compact handheld device for freshwater and marine environmental DNA collection. Sold alongside Ascension for biodiversity monitoring applications.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Ocean Diagnostics develops and sells automated scientific instruments for environmental monitoring, focused on microplastics and environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling in freshwater and marine environments. Core products include the Ascension depth sampler for in-situ filtration sampling down to 400 meters, the Saturna imaging system with computer-vision microplastic analysis, the Discovery eDNA surface sampler, and a Microplastics Community Science Toolkit. The company also operates an ISO-5 Clean microplastics analysis laboratory providing FTIR polymer identification services.

Product overview

Ocean Diagnostics develops a portfolio of environmental monitoring technologies focused on microplastics and biodiversity assessment. The product lineup centers on two core automated sampling instruments: Ascension (available in both Microplastics and eDNA variants) for depth sampling up to 400 meters with in-situ filtration capabilities, and Discovery for surface eDNA sampling. The Saturna Microplastics Imaging System provides computer vision-based automated analysis of microplastic particles, delivering 13 physical and colour metrics per particle. These are complemented by the Microplastics Community Science Toolkit for citizen science applications, a certified ISO-5 Clean microplastics analysis laboratory using FTIR spectroscopy, and a Microplastics Sensor in development with the National Research Council of Canada. The company also provides access to the OceanOmics eDNA Dashboard for visualizing large-scale biodiversity datasets. Products are designed to work together as an integrated ecosystem—from field sampling through laboratory analysis to data visualization.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ascension: Automated microplastics and environmental DNA depth sampler that collects filtered samples down to 400 meters from small vessels or fixed installations.
• Saturna
• Discovery

Products and services

• Ascension Microplastics Depth Sampler A portable, automated microplastics depth sampling instrument that collects up to 7 separate filtered microplastic samples per deployment down to 400-meter depths from a small vessel or fixed installation. Features in-situ filtration, on-board CTD sensor, and flow meter for real-time conductivity, temperature, salinity, and depth data. Sold to research institutions, government agencies, and marine conservation organizations via enterprise field sales.
• Saturna Microplastics Imaging System A portable, standardized microplastics imaging and illumination device that uses computer vision and proprietary image analysis algorithms to rapidly analyze visible microplastic particles (>400µm). Automatically calculates 13 discrete size, shape, and colour metrics per particle. Sold for $649.00 through the Shopify e-commerce storefront to researchers, citizen scientists, and educational institutions.
• Ascension eDNA Depth Sampler An automated depth sampler that collects filtered environmental DNA (eDNA) samples in freshwater and marine environments down to 400 meters from a small vessel or fixed installation. Features in-situ filtration to reduce contamination risks and collects up to 7 samples per deployment. Used by research institutions and conservation organizations for marine biodiversity monitoring.
• Discovery eDNA Surface Sampler A compact, portable, hand-held surface sampler that collects filtered environmental DNA samples in freshwater or marine environments using a self-priming diaphragm pump. Rechargeable and customizable for different sampling requirements. Designed for remote areas and community scientist use.
• Microplastics Community Science and Education Toolkit A bundled toolkit that empowers community scientists, schools, and environmental enthusiasts to contribute real microplastic data. Includes the Saturna Imaging System, sampling vials, waterproof carrying case, illustrated learning guide, step-by-step sampling protocols, and access to the Saturna analysis application. Sold for $899.99 through the e-commerce storefront.
• ISO-5 Clean Microplastics Analysis Laboratory Services A certified ISO-5 Clean microplastics testing laboratory providing chemical analysis and polymer identification services using FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) technology to verify plastic polymer types from samples collected by research partners and community science programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 12x increase in microplastics analysis efficiency: processing time reduced from over 1 hour to 5 minutes for 50 microplastic particles
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and minor.

• National Research Council Canada (NRC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 July 2025Collaborating to develop a national microplastics monitoring framework for Canada. ODI's Ascension depth sampler will be used by researchers from UBC, Université Laval, and Carleton University to collect seasonal water samples from five key Canadian rivers. Data will validate NRC's CaMPSim-3D prediction model. Project runs until end of 2026 with results expected in 2027. ODI's microplastics sensor prototype will also be validated alongside standard sampling methods as part of this project.
• Barbados Investment & Development Corporation (BIDC)strategicGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025BIDC is driving innovation in marine pollution monitoring through this partnership. Mr. Joseph Weekes (CERMES, UWI Cave Hill Campus) uses ODI's Ascension depth sampler and Microplastics Community Science Toolkit to engage students (as young as 9 years old) and the broader Barbados community in understanding and combating marine pollution. BIDC CEO Mark Hill leads the initiative, which aims to measure the impact of existing plastic reduction policies and protect Barbados' tourism economy and 'Gem of the Caribbean Sea' designation.
• Minderoo Foundation (OceanOmics)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2023Minderoo Foundation partnered with ODI to reconfigure the Ascension automated depth sampler for environmental DNA applications. From March to April 2023, the OceanOmics team collected hundreds of eDNA samples across 2,000 kilometers of Australia's southwest coastline and remote islands including Christmas Island and the Abrolhos Islands. The collaboration generated 1.2 billion DNA barcodes from over 6,000 water samples, creating one of the world's largest marine eDNA datasets. Data published on the publicly accessible OceanOmics eDNA Dashboard.
• North Coast Ecology Centre SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Two-year community science-based microplastics pilot project in Prince Rupert, BC with 10 volunteers completing 104 beach surveys using the Microplastics Community Science Toolkit. 534 microplastic particles analyzed with Saturna, with 261 particles sent to ODI's lab for polymer type validation. Findings identified PVC and polyethylene as most common polymer types and linked pollution to local construction and harbour activity.
• University of Washington (School of Marine and Environmental Affairs) and NOAA Northwest Fisheries Science CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership between UW and NOAA uses Ascension to study how environmental DNA (eDNA) travels over space and time in marine waters for marine mammal monitoring in Hood Canal, Pacific Northwest. The teams are investigating whether surface water provides a different eDNA signal than at depth for cetacean detection. UW and NOAA have since acquired three Ascension instruments for deployment from fixed installations.
• SeaChange Marine Conservation SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeaChange Marine Conservation Society used Ascension eDNA technology for the Resilient Estuaries of the Salish Sea project, collecting eDNA samples from five estuaries in British Columbia's Salish Sea to identify salmon species, foraging fish, and invasive European green crab to inform marine conservation efforts.
• University of British Columbia (Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUBC researchers, including Dr. Johan Foster, are collecting seasonal water samples from key Canadian rivers as part of the National Microplastics Monitoring Framework. UBC also previously collaborated with ODI to study microplastic exposure in humpback whales off Vancouver Island using Ascension, collecting approximately 30 samples from 25-100 meter depths.
• Université LavalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversité Laval researchers are collecting seasonal water samples from key Canadian rivers as part of the National Microplastics Monitoring Framework, using ODI's Ascension depth sampling technology.
• Carleton UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCarleton University researchers are collecting seasonal water samples from key Canadian rivers as part of the National Microplastics Monitoring Framework, using ODI's Ascension depth sampling technology.
• Parks AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParks Australia collaborated with Minderoo Foundation and Ocean Diagnostics to make the OceanOmics eDNA data accessible to the public on an interactive AI dashboard, enabling researchers, conservationists, marine park managers, and indigenous communities to explore marine biodiversity across Australian Marine Parks.
• Vancouver AquariumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization logo displayed on the Ocean Diagnostics homepage partners section. Nature of partnership not explicitly detailed in available source material.
• Schmidt Marine Technology PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization logo displayed on the Ocean Diagnostics homepage partners section. Schmidt Marine Technology Partners is associated with the Schmidt family ocean initiatives.
• Environment and Climate Change CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-developed the National Microfibre Report with Raincoast Conservation Foundation, providing scientific analysis of the state of microfibre pollution in Canada and globally, with solution recommendations for governments, industry, and the public. Also part of the National Microplastics Monitoring Framework collaboration.
• Water RangersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization logo displayed on the Ocean Diagnostics homepage partners section. Water Rangers is a Canadian citizen science organization focused on water quality monitoring.
• Raincoast Conservation FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with ODI and Environment and Climate Change Canada to develop the National Microfibre Report on the state of microfibre pollution in Canada and worldwide.
• British Antarctic SurveyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization logo displayed on the Ocean Diagnostics homepage partners section. British Antarctic Survey is the UK's national Antarctic research institution.
• Northeastern UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization logo displayed on the Ocean Diagnostics homepage partners section.
• University of VictoriaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization logo displayed on the Ocean Diagnostics homepage partners section. Dr. Sean Yang completed his PhD in Chemistry at UVic and now applies his spectroscopy expertise to microplastic analysis at ODI.
• Ocean Legacy Foundation EPIC AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization logo displayed on the Ocean Diagnostics homepage partners section. Ocean Legacy Foundation focuses on marine plastic pollution solutions.
• SEA SemesterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization logo displayed on the Ocean Diagnostics homepage partners section. SEA Semester is a study-abroad program focused on ocean science and policy.
• Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupported the North Coast Ecology Centre Society's community science microplastics pilot project in Prince Rupert, BC. Contributes to national microplastics monitoring efforts and marine conservation initiatives.
• National Research Centre of France (CNRS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating on the Next COAST Project, funded by In2novation, to advance technology for monitoring microplastics in complex estuarine and coastal conditions such as hyperturbid conditions and strong currents. ODI is tailoring its automated microplastics depth sampling technology for these challenging environments.
• University of British ColumbiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization logo displayed on the Ocean Diagnostics homepage partners section. Dr. Johan Foster at UBC's Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries collaborates on the National Microplastics Monitoring Framework. UBC also previously collaborated on humpback whale microplastic exposure research using Ascension.
• University of Tasmania (Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Tasmania researchers, including Fernanda Landim, Dr. Lauren Roman, and Dr. Peter Puskic, used the Saturna Imaging System to analyze plastics in over 500 seabird stomachs and 1,400+ beach microplastic samples, demonstrating 12x efficiency gains over manual methods and enabling harmonized comparison of plastics across environmental compartments.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Chelsea Technologies Group: UK designer and manufacturer of oceanographic and water quality sensors and instrumentation. Comparable in marine environmental sensor development for research and monitoring customers.
• NatureMetrics: UK-based eDNA biodiversity monitoring company offering sampling kits, lab services, and analytics. Directly comparable to ODI's Discovery/Ascension eDNA workflow and shared target customers (researchers, conservation NGOs, environmental consultants).
• SPYGEN: French specialist in environmental DNA sampling and analysis for aquatic biodiversity. Closely comparable in eDNA technology focus, scientific-services model, and academic/government customer base as ODI's eDNA depth sampling line.
• Wilderlab: New Zealand eDNA services company providing sampling kits and metabarcoding analysis. Comparable niche: freshwater/marine eDNA for biodiversity monitoring, similar customer profile to ODI's Discovery and Ascension eDNA products.
• RBR Global: Canadian oceanographic instrument maker specializing in compact, high-precision water quality sensors and loggers. Comparable in niche-scale, Canada-based, marine research instrumentation and direct sales to oceanographers.
• Smith-Root: US-based environmental genomics and eDNA field equipment manufacturer. Comparable in portable eDNA hardware for freshwater research and similar government/agency customer base.

Broad incumbents

• Hach Company: Dominant water quality testing and instrumentation provider (part of Danaher). Comparable in water quality monitoring customers (utilities, regulators, research), and a potential competitor if Hach expands into microplastics and eDNA sampling platforms.
• Sea-Bird Scientific: Largest global supplier of oceanographic CTD and water quality sensors (now part of Danaher/BEACON). Comparable in oceanographic instrumentation with CTD capability that overlaps Ascension's on-board CTD feature; broader portfolio and far larger scale.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific: Largest analytical instrument and lab-services provider, with FTIR and chromatography used globally for microplastic characterization. Comparable in microplastics analytical chemistry and lab services, with vastly greater resources and reach.
• Bruker Corporation: Global analytical instrument leader with FTIR and Raman spectroscopy used in polymer/microplastic identification. Comparable in the FTIR microplastics chemical-identification workflow ODI operates in its ISO-5 lab, but at vastly larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/oceandiagnstics

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ocean Diagnostics