Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System
The Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System (CIOOS) is a Canadian non-profit that operates a national open-access ocean data platform, serving researchers, government agencies, ocean industries, Indigenous communities, and NGOs across Canada through three Regional Associations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersHalifax, Canada
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System does
The Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System (CIOOS) is a Canadian non-profit national initiative established in 2019 that operates as the country's integrated hub for ocean data. CIOOS provides an open-access platform delivering observational and model data with standardized metadata through three national tools: a Data Catalogue (built on CKAN), a Data Explorer with interactive mapping, and a Catalogue Map for geographic visualization. The infrastructure is supported by ERDDAP servers, regional catalogues for each of the three Regional Associations (CIOOS Pacific in Victoria, St. Lawrence Global Observatory in Quebec City, CIOOS Atlantic in Halifax), and bilingual resources including a Data Management Guide that codifies FAIR and CARE principles. Technical operations are delivered through a Coordination Office hosted by MEOPAR, plus distributed technical staff across the three regions, with open-source integration into Local Contexts for Indigenous data sovereignty. CIOOS is primarily funded by recurring grants from Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and MEOPAR, supplemented by a $1M Digital Research Alliance grant for a 2026-2028 National Data Spaces Pilot. The service is free to data consumers; revenue is grant-based, with no commercial sales motion. Customers in the funder sense are limited to a small number of government and research-network entities, while downstream users include academic researchers, federal and provincial government agencies, ocean industries (shipping, fisheries, aquaculture, energy), NGOs, and Indigenous and coastal communities. CIOOS operates a community-led, event-driven go-to-market model anchored by workshops, training programs such as the PRODIGY Field School, the Ocean AI Community of Practice, and recurring international AI workshops. The organization holds formal recognition as a Regional Alliance of the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), positioning it within the international coordinated ocean observing architecture.
Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System
- Legal name
- Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System
- Website
- https://cioos.ca
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System (CIOOS) is a Canadian non-profit that operates a national open-access ocean data platform, serving researchers, government agencies, ocean industries, Indigenous communities, and NGOs across Canada through three Regional Associations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Ocean Data Infrastructure
- NAICS
- Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Environmental Consulting Services (541620), Information (51)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Environmental Data Management Platforms (EHS/EMS, LIMS, ELN, Compliance Data Hubs) (EUAHAKAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Environmental Data Integration, ETL & Interoperability (APIs, Standards, Data Pipelines) (EUAHAKAB), Climate & Emissions Data Management (Data Lake, Integration, APIs) (EUABAEAC)
Keywords
Where Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Halifax
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Government Funding - Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO): Primary funder providing ongoing support for CIOOS operations, regional associations, and national coordination. DFO and MEOPAR co-fund the CIOOS Coordination Office.
- Government Funding - MEOPAR: Marine Environmental Observation, Prediction and Response Network hosts the CIOOS Coordination Office and provides major funding. MEOPAR has sponsored CIOOS since its inception.
- Digital Research Alliance of Canada Grant: Awarded $1M over 2 years (2026-2028) for the National Data Spaces Pilot Program to advance Canada's ocean data space maturity.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Free | Free access for data consumers |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels9 records
Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CIOOS is a national non-profit hub that integrates and disseminates Canadian ocean observational and model data through a federated open-access platform, providing a centralized Data Catalogue, Data Explorer, Catalogue Map, PhytoFit, ERDDAP servers, and a Data Management Guide, coordinated by three regional associations (CIOOS Pacific, St. Lawrence Global Observatory, and CIOOS Atlantic). The platform enables researchers, government agencies, ocean industries, and Indigenous communities to access standardized oceanographic data for science, policy, and decision-making.
Product overview
CIOOS is a national integrated ocean observing system that provides a unified platform for ocean data in Canada. The core offering consists of three national data tools: the Data Catalogue (for discovering and downloading partner ocean data), the Data Explorer (interactive mapping for analysis), and the Catalogue Map (geographic visualization). These are complemented by regional catalogue platforms for CIOOS Atlantic, CIOOS Pacific, and the St. Lawrence Global Observatory, plus specialized tools like PhytoFit and ERDDAP servers. Supporting resources include a bilingual Data Management Guide, ERDDAP training materials, and major initiatives such as the Understanding and Predicting the Ocean Using AI Workshop series and the National Data Spaces Pilot program. The system operates through three regional associations coordinated by a national Coordination Office, serving researchers, policymakers, industry, and Indigenous communities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- National Data Catalogue
Quantifiable outcome
- 137 participants from 65 organizations attended the 2025 Understanding and Predicting the Ocean Using AI workshop, demonstrating community engagement.
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
AI capability6 records
Feature7 records
Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, regional and national.
- Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS)coreCIOOS recognized as a Regional Alliance of GOOS in 2023. This international network promotes coordinated, sustained ocean observing worldwide. CIOOS contributes to GOOS initiatives and international standards development.
- CIOOS PacificcoreRegional Association integrating data from Canada's west coast (Dixon Entrance to Strait of Juan de Fuca). Led by Jordan Watson as Executive Director. Hosts the CIOOS Pacific Data Catalogue and provides regional data tools and training.
- St. Lawrence Global Observatory (SLGO/OGSL)coreRegional Association integrating data from the St. Lawrence (Great Lakes to Gulf). Led by Mathilde Couturier as Scientific Director. Hosts data tools including Navigation, Marine Conditions, and SLGO Data Catalogue.
- CIOOS AtlanticcoreRegional Association integrating data from Canada's east coast (Labrador to Bay of Fundy). Led by Shayla Fitzsimmons as Executive Director. Hosts ERDDAP server, PhytoFit tool, and CIOOS Atlantic Data Catalogue.
- Amundsen ScienceregionalCIOOS collaborates with Amundsen Science, which operates its own catalogue built on the CIOOS framework to ensure interoperability and discoverability in the ocean data space.
- DataStreamregionalCIOOS collaborates with DataStream by harvesting datastream metadata and enabling discovery via the CIOOS Catalogue. Reflects the role of freshwater systems in shaping coastal and ocean environments.
- Ocean Networks CanadanationalNational partner providing ocean observing infrastructure and data. Collaborated with CIOOS Pacific on PRODIGY Field School data access workshops using API calls to remote sensors.
- Bamfield Marine Science CentreregionalHost venue for PRODIGY Field School where CIOOS Pacific delivered data access and management training workshops for international cohort of graduate students.
- University of British ColumbiaregionalPartner in Pacific Rim Ocean Data and Technology (PRODIGY) program. Graduate students and postdoctoral fellows from UBC participated in CIOOS Pacific training workshops.
- Borealis Data RepositoryregionalPartner in PRODIGY Field School contributing to data management training curriculum and resources.
- Ocean Tracking NetworknationalNational partner in ocean data sharing and tracking initiatives. Jonathan Pye, Director of Data Operations at OTN, serves on the CIOOS Data Management Committee.
- Ocean Frontier InstitutenationalNational partner supporting ocean research and observation in Canada.
- Dalhousie UniversitynationalHosts Centre for Earth Observation Science and related ocean research initiatives. Yanique Campbell, Data Curator from CEO Sciences, serves on the CIOOS Advisory Committee.
- Marine InstituteregionalRegional partner in Atlantic Canada. Richard Kelly worked at the Marine Institute for 15 years before joining CIOOS as Full Stack Developer. Memorial University (parent institution) is also listed as partner.
- Great Lakes Observing System (GLOS)regionalCIOOS is actively engaging with potential partner organizations including GLOS in the Great Lakes region with intent to add Regional Associations there.
- COIN AtlanticregionalRegional partner in Atlantic Canada focused on coastal and ocean information.
- Hakai InstituteregionalRegional partner providing ocean observational data. Jessy Barrette, CIOOS DevOps specialist, previously worked with ASL Environmental Sciences and the Hakai Institute on oceanographic instrumentation and data management.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet): The European Union's integrated marine data portal aggregating observations across multiple regional lots with standardized metadata and free access. Highly comparable in mandate (federated marine data discovery), FAIR-style interoperability, and reliance on public funding.
- Australian Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS): Australia's national ocean observing system operating as a federated network of regional nodes with open data access. Comparable to CIOOS in federated governance, open-access philosophy, and government-funded infrastructure model, though serving a different geography.
- U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (U.S. IOOS): The U.S. national ocean observing program coordinated by NOAA, with 11 Regional Associations and a federal backbone. Directly comparable to CIOOS in mission, federated regional structure, and role as the GOOS Regional Alliance counterpart for the United States. CIOOS's Advisory Committee includes the Branch Chief of U.S. IOOS.
- Argos (international Argo Program): A global array of profiling floats providing ocean temperature and salinity data, formally contributing to GOOS. Comparable as a large-scale, publicly funded, GOOS-aligned ocean observing program that CIOOS interfaces with through international ocean data standards.
Others
- Ocean Networks Canada: A University of Victoria-led operator of cabled ocean observatories (NEPTUNE, VENUS) and major source of ocean data integrated by CIOOS. Not a direct competitor but a key data-providing peer and national partner; the CITO of Ocean Networks Canada sits on the CIOOS Advisory Committee.
- MEOPAR (Marine Environmental Observation, Prediction and Response Network): A Canadian Network of Centres of Excellence that hosts the CIOOS Coordination Office and is CIOOS's principal co-funder alongside DFO. Comparable in marine observing mandate but functions as CIOOS's institutional home and primary funder rather than a competitor.
- DataStream: An open-access freshwater monitoring data platform whose metadata CIOOS harvests to enable cross-domain discovery. Operates adjacent to CIOOS in mission (open environmental data, FAIR principles) and is integrated via CIOOS's catalogue rather than competing with it.
Regional players
- Great Lakes Observing System (GLOS): A Regional Association within U.S. IOOS focused on the Great Lakes, providing real-time observing data and decision-support tools. CIOOS is actively engaging GLOS as a partner for potential Canadian Great Lakes regional expansion, making it both a geographic peer and an integration target.
Direct peers
- Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS): A Regional Association within U.S. IOOS covering Pacific islands, operating data catalogues, ERDDAP servers, and visualization tools similar to CIOOS's regional stack. Jordan Watson, current CIOOS Pacific Director, was PacIOOS Deputy Director, underscoring operational and architectural comparability.
Emerging players
- Allen Coral Atlas: An emerging global coral reef monitoring platform combining satellite imagery and AI for ecosystem mapping. Comparable to CIOOS in applying AI to environmental/ocean data, FAIR-aligned open access, and reliance on international partnerships, though narrower in geographic and thematic scope.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System social profiles
Digital presenceCanadian Integrated Ocean Observing System financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System
What does Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System do?
CIOOS is a national non-profit hub that integrates and disseminates Canadian ocean observational and model data through a federated open-access platform, providing a centralized Data Catalogue, Data Explorer, Catalogue Map, PhytoFit, ERDDAP servers, and a Data Management Guide, coordinated by three regional associations (CIOOS Pacific, St. Lawrence Global Observatory, and CIOOS Atlantic). The platform enables researchers, government agencies, ocean industries, and Indigenous communities to access standardized oceanographic data for science, policy, and decision-making.
Is Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System a public or private company?
Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System founded?
Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System was founded in 2019. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System based?
Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System is headquartered in Halifax, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Government Funding - Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is the primary driver. The others are government Funding - MEOPAR and digital Research Alliance of Canada Grant.
Who are Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet), Australian Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS), U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (U.S. IOOS) and Argos (international Argo Program). Others are Ocean Networks Canada, MEOPAR (Marine Environmental Observation, Prediction and Response Network) and DataStream. Great Lakes Observing System (GLOS) is listed as a regional player. Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS) is listed as a direct peer. Allen Coral Atlas is listed as an emerging player.
Does Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System have an API?
No public API is recorded for Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System.
What industry is Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System in?
Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System's product category is Ocean Data Infrastructure. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAHAKAA, Environmental Data Management Platforms (EHS/EMS, LIMS, ELN, Compliance Data Hubs), with a secondary code of EUAHAKAB, Environmental Data Integration, ETL & Interoperability (APIs, Standards, Data Pipelines). Its NAICS code is 54162.