What Innovation Maritime does

Innovation Maritime is a non-profit Canadian college-based technology transfer center (CCTT) founded in 2001 and affiliated with C\u00e9gep de Rimouski and the Institut maritime du Qu\u00e9bec. The organization provides applied research, technical assistance, engineering, prototyping, software development, and information dissemination services to the Canadian maritime sector, organized into five specialized practice areas: Acoustics and Vibrations, Design and Marine Engineering, Energy and Environment, Maritime Intelligence, and Maritime Transport and Navigation. Its infrastructure includes a 1500 m2 prototyping workshop, a Submarine Evacuation Simulator (CSET), a Marine Acoustic Research Station (MARS), acoustic platforms, a 1 MW W\u00e4rtsil\u00e4 6L20 engine test bench, and a ship electrical network simulator.

The business model is structured around four revenue streams: (1) commissioned applied research and technical assistance services billed to maritime sector clients, with projects eligible for Quebec SR&ED tax credits thanks to CCTT status; (2) base operational funding from the Government of Quebec, renewed in multi-year cycles (most recently confirmed in 2015); (3) supplemental research funding from NSERC-CRSNG and DEC Canada; and (4) direct technical consulting. Customer segments are vertical, spanning maritime industry companies, navigation and maritime transport operators (with a focus on the St. Lawrence corridor), marine mechanical engineering and naval architecture, and professional diving. Go-to-market is sales-led and direct, with client engagement via phone, email, and website inquiry, and an active technical publications program (annual Maritime Transport State reports, alternative fuels studies, electrification studies). The organization has completed over 450 projects since inception, was designated a CAT (Centre d'acc\u00e8s \u00e0 la technologie) in 2019, and underwent a major restructuring into five specialized teams in 2023 following significant workforce growth.

Name

Innovation Maritime

Legal name

Innovation Maritime

Website

https://innovationmaritime.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Innovation Maritime is a non-profit Canadian college-based technology transfer center (CCTT) that provides applied research, engineering, prototyping, and software development services to the Canadian maritime sector from its base in Rimouski, Quebec.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Research and Engineering Services

NAICS

Ship and Boat Building (3366), Navigational Services to Shipping (488330), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883)

SIC

Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730)

akta.pro primary industry

Digital Engineering & Simulation (CFD/FEA, Digital Twins, Model-Based Engineering) (IMAJAGAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Electrical, Automation & Control Systems (Power, PLC/SCADA, Navigation/Comms Integration) (TLAHAMAE), Life-Saving Appliances & Safety Equipment (Davit Systems, Lifeboats, Firefighting) (IMAJAIAG), Navigation, Seamanship & Offshore Operations (EDAOANAE)

Keywords

• Maritime engineering
• Acoustic research
• Maritime simulation
• Applied research
• Marine consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Rimouski

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Applied Research Services: Innovation Maritime generates revenue through commissioned applied research projects and technical assistance for maritime sector companies. As a CCTT (Centre collégial de transfert de technologie), clients can access R&D tax credits through Quebec's scientific research and experimental development tax credit programs.
2. Government Base Funding: Core operational funding from the Government of Quebec, renewed for 5-year periods (confirmed in 2015). Additional funding support from NSERC-CRSNG and DEC Canada.
3. Technical Assistance and Consulting: Direct technical consulting services in areas of acoustic measurement, marine engineering, energy solutions, and maritime data analysis.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Innovation Maritime is a college-based technology transfer center (CCTT) that delivers applied research, technical assistance, engineering, prototyping, and software development services to the Canadian maritime sector. Its work is organized around five areas of expertise: acoustics and vibrations, design and marine engineering, energy and environment, maritime intelligence, and maritime transport and navigation. In addition to R&D services, it offers two named software products: Navi-Sim, a maritime navigation simulator, and Mast, a platform for monitoring maritime events.

Product overview

Innovation Maritime operates as a research and technical services organization (CCTT - Centre collégial de transfert de technologie) serving the Canadian maritime sector. Rather than a unified software platform, its offerings consist of five specialized service areas: Acoustique et Vibrations (acoustic and vibration analysis), Conception et Génie maritime (engineering and prototyping), Énergie et Environnement (energy transition and sustainability), Intelligence maritime (software development and VR training), and Transport maritime et Navigation (maritime data analysis). Under these service areas, it delivers specific projects and initiatives including the Submarine Evacuation Simulator, maritime simulators (Keil, SMDSM, SAPV), the SPINE water level monitoring application, voyage planning systems, and various energy/environmental studies. The organization also maintains specialized equipment including a 1500 m2 prototyping workshop, acoustic testing platforms, and a submarine evacuation simulator (CSET).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Acoustics and Vibrations Research Services Applied research, measurement, and analysis in marine acoustics and vibrations for maritime companies and public agencies requiring expert acoustic diagnostics.
• Design and Marine Engineering Services Mechanical design, prototyping, and engineering support for marine systems and equipment, with prototyping and fabrication supported by specialized equipment.
• Energy and Environment Research Services Applied research on marine energy systems and environmental impact assessment for maritime and offshore operations.
• Maritime Intelligence Services Data analysis, intelligence, and decision-support services for maritime operations, including weather forecasting and operational intelligence.
• Maritime Transport and Navigation Services Applied research, technical assistance, and engineering support for maritime transport, navigation, and port operations.
• Navi-Sim A maritime navigation simulator used for training, evaluation, and research in vessel navigation and bridge operations.
• Mast A platform for monitoring maritime events, providing operational visibility and intelligence for maritime organizations.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Cégep de RimouskicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding institution providing academic affiliation and support. Financed the prototyping workshop construction in 2010 alongside the Quebec government. Provides access to student talent and academic resources.
• Institut maritime du Québec (IMQ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaritime institute providing educational programs and training. Representatives serve on Innovation Maritime's Board of Directors. Students gain exposure to new maritime technologies through Innovation Maritime projects.
• Université du Québec à RimouskiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner with a professor (Éric Hudier) serving on the Board of Directors representing the mathematics, computer science, and engineering department.
• Regional Research Centers (Four Centers)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn 2006, collaboration between four regional research centers generated a ballast water treatment demonstration project addressing environmental concerns for the maritime industry.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• BMT Group: International maritime engineering and risk management consultancy with naval architecture, marine engineering, and environmental services. Comparable technical services, but operates at a much larger global scale.
• Lloyd's Register: Global classification and maritime advisory organization providing ship classification, statutory services, and energy-transition consulting. Comparable in maritime advisory scope but with global footprint and broader service breadth.
• Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore: Global classification society and marine advisory offering rules, certification, and consulting across ship design, energy transition, and digital services. Overlapping advisory and certification capabilities, but at global scale rather than regional non-profit.
• DNV – Maritime: World-leading classification society providing ship classification, advisory, and digital solutions for maritime decarbonization and safety. Competes for the same type of advisory and technical-assistance mandates at much larger scale.

Direct peers

• MARIN (Maritime Research Institute Netherlands): Netherlands-based not-for-profit maritime applied research institute conducting hydrodynamic testing, simulator development, and ship design research. Closest international analogue in mission and structure (non-profit research centre serving maritime sector).
• C-Job Naval Architects: Independent naval architecture and ship design firm providing concept and basic design, hybrid/electric propulsion studies, and operational support. Directly comparable in naval architecture and energy-transition vessel design.
• Martec Limited: Canadian maritime technical services firm providing naval architecture, marine engineering, and applied research to commercial and government clients. Directly comparable as a Canada-based maritime engineering services provider with overlapping acoustics, design, and vessel-analysis capabilities.
• SINTEF Ocean: Norwegian applied research institute focused on marine technology, ocean engineering, and maritime operations. Comparable in delivering applied research, simulator/VR tools, and acoustic and propulsion testing for maritime clients.
• NRC – Ocean, Coastal and River Engineering Research Centre: National Research Council of Canada centre delivering applied maritime research, ocean engineering, and ice/vessel hydrodynamics. Highly comparable as a Canadian public-sector applied research body serving maritime industry clients with similar acoustic, hydrodynamic, and engineering expertise.
• FORCE Technology: Denmark-based technology consultancy providing testing, inspection, certification, and R&D services to the maritime and energy sectors. Comparable scope in acoustic measurement, structural testing, and maritime digital services.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/InnovationMaritime
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/innovation-maritime

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Innovation Maritime