SEATAC
SEATAC is Nova Scotia's first and only Technology Access Centre and Canada's only ocean technology TAC, operating under Nova Scotia Community College to deliver applied ocean R&D services — vessel access, oceanographic sampling, hydrographic surveying, ROV inspection, and aerial observation — to small and medium-sized ocean technology companies.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersDartmouth, Canada
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What SEATAC does
SEATAC (Nova Scotia's first and only Technology Access Centre, and the only ocean technology TAC in Canada) is an applied research and development centre operating under Nova Scotia Community College and co-located at the COVE (Center for Ocean Ventures & Entrepreneurship) South Building in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. The organization delivers ocean research and development services to small and medium-sized ocean technology companies, providing access to specialized equipment and experienced engineers and technicians through the NSCC collaboration. Core technical assets include a custom-built 9-metre Rigid Hull Inflatable research vessel (30-knot cruising, province-wide operational range), VideoRay Pro 4 ROV with 305m depth rating, multi-beam echo sounder (350m max depth), AML Moving Vessel Profiler, Niskin sampler rosettes, ADCP, grab samplers, LiDAR/thermal-equipped rotary and fixed-wing drones, and a 3m towed-body system.
The service portfolio is anchored by the research vessel, which serves as the platform for add-on oceanographic sampling, hydrographic surveying, underwater observation, aerial observation, and towed-body operations covering the product development lifecycle from design and build through deploy and test. The business model combines fee-for-service applied research, technical consulting, and customized training engagements with project-based quoting and multi-year contracts, layered on top of institutional and government funding — explicitly including NSERC's College and Community Innovation Program — through SEATAC's TAC mandate. Distribution is direct-consultation led, with clients acquired through a 'Book a conversation' funnel and engaged province-wide in Nova Scotia. The organization is embedded in the national Tech Access Canada network of 60+ TAC sites spanning 149 areas of innovation.
SEATAC's standalone website is scheduled to be deactivated after July 15, 2026, with traffic redirected to a new NSCC-hosted 'Ocean Innovation' page, indicating a forthcoming consolidation of the TAC's digital and operational presence within the parent college. No funding rounds, acquisitions, or leadership changes are disclosed.
SEATAC firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SEATAC
- Legal name
- SEATAC/NSCC
- Website
- https://seatacsolutions.ca
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- SEATAC is Nova Scotia's first and only Technology Access Centre and Canada's only ocean technology TAC, operating under Nova Scotia Community College to deliver applied ocean R&D services — vessel access, oceanographic sampling, hydrographic surveying, ROV inspection, and aerial observation — to small and medium-sized ocean technology companies.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SEATAC industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Ocean Technology Research Services
- NAICS
- Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883), Navigational Services to Shipping (488330)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Offshore/Remote Port Call & Anchorage Services (Launch Boats, Crew Boats, Supply Runs) (TLAHAJAM)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Navigation & Aids-to-Navigation Works (Beacons, Buoys, Markers) (IMAFAJAH)
Keywords
Where SEATAC is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Dartmouth
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
SEATAC business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Applied Research Services: Fee-for-service applied research and development engagements with ocean technology companies. Services include technical consulting, business services, and customized training delivered by experienced engineers and technicians.
- Government and Institutional Funding: As a Technology Access Centre affiliated with NSCC and connected to the national TAC network, SEATAC receives funding support from government sources including NSERC (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Customized service engagements based on project scope |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
SEATAC product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SEATAC is Nova Scotia's first and only Technology Access Centre (TAC) and the only ocean technology TAC in Canada. It delivers ocean research and development services to small and medium-sized ocean technology companies, including access to a custom-built 9-metre research vessel, oceanographic sampling, hydrographic surveying, underwater ROV observation, and aerial drone observation, alongside applied research projects, technical and business consulting, and customized training through collaboration with NSCC.
Product overview
SEATAC operates as Nova Scotia's Technology Access Centre for ocean research and development, offering a unified portfolio anchored by its 9-metre Research Vessel (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat) equipped with advanced navigation electronics and power supply systems. The vessel serves as the primary platform for a suite of specialized add-on services including Oceanographic Sampling (Niskin sampler, Zooplankton Fish Profiler, Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler), Hydrographic Surveying (AML Moving Vessel Profiler, Multi-beam Echo Sounder up to 350m depth), Underwater Observation (VideoRay Pro 4 ROV), Aerial Observation (drones with LiDAR and thermal imaging), and Towed-Body Systems. All services are delivered through collaboration with Nova Scotia Community College, providing access to experienced engineers and technicians throughout the product development lifecycle from design and build to deploy and test.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- 9-Metre Research Vessel (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat)
- Underwater Observation (ROV) Service
- Hydrographic Surveying Service
- Oceanographic Sampling Service
- Aerial Observation Service
- Towed-Body System Service
- Applied Research Projects
- Customized Training
- Technical and Business Consulting
Quantifiable outcome
- Province-wide operational range for ocean research activities
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use SEATAC
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
SEATAC technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
SEATAC partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC)coreSEATAC is an applied research and development centre that operates in collaboration with NSCC. The organization is co-located at NSCC's Ivany Campus within COVE. NSCC provides access to experienced engineers and technicians, and SEATAC operates as part of the college's applied research infrastructure.
- COVE (Center for Ocean Ventures & Entrepreneurship)coreSEATAC is located at COVE's South Building in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. COVE serves as the hosting location for SEATAC's operations, providing facilities for ocean technology research and development activities.
- Tech Access CanadacoreSEATAC is part of the national Technology Access Centre network connected through Tech Access Canada. There are over 60 TAC sites operating in Canada, all connected to colleges, offering 149 areas of innovation and expertise to small and medium-sized companies.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights3 records
SEATAC competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Ocean Networks Canada: Ocean Networks Canada operates cabled ocean observatories and supports ocean-technology development with at-sea testing infrastructure. It is comparable to SEATAC as a Canadian ocean-technology platform that enables SMEs to deploy and validate ocean sensors.
- Marine Institute (Memorial University): Memorial University's Marine Institute is a college-affiliated applied ocean research and training centre offering at-sea testing, ROV operations, and applied research services to marine technology firms — directly comparable in mandate and operating model to SEATAC.
- NRC Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP): NRC-IRAP is the federal Canadian programme that funds SME technology development through college-affiliated applied research organisations. SEATAC operates as a delivery arm within the same SME-focused applied research funding ecosystem.
- Centre for Ocean Ventures & Entrepreneurship (COVE): COVE is the host site for SEATAC at its South Building in Dartmouth and serves the same Nova Scotia ocean-technology SME market with accelerator, mentorship, and marine infrastructure services. The two organisations are co-located strategic partners serving an identical client base.
- Centre for Marine Applied Research (CMAR): CMAR is a Nova Scotia-based applied marine research organisation that delivers field data collection, ocean monitoring and applied research to government and industry — closely comparable to SEATAC's vessel-based applied-research service model.
Regional players
- National Oceanography Centre (NOC): NOC is the UK's primary deep-ocean research organisation operating research vessels, ROVs and AUVs for science and industry. Comparable to SEATAC in equipment and applied-research services, but serving UK and European clients rather than the Canadian market.
Broad incumbents
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution: WHOI is a large-scale ocean research institution operating research vessels, ROVs and deep-sea equipment for science and industry clients. Comparable to SEATAC in equipment stack and at-sea service model but at vastly greater scale and scope.
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography: Scripps operates one of the largest US oceanographic fleets and technology development programmes for academic and industry partners. It shares SEATAC's at-sea research and instrument-development orientation but at significantly greater scale and scope.
- Bedford Institute of Oceanography: BIO is Canada's largest federal ocean-research centre, also located in Dartmouth NS. SEATAC's SME-facing applied research and survey capability is a smaller-scale, commercially oriented analogue to BIO's broader scientific mandate.
- Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI): MBARI develops and operates advanced underwater robotics, sensors and oceanographic platforms and collaborates with technology partners. Comparable to SEATAC in ocean-technology R&D orientation and instrument-fleet operations.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
SEATAC social profiles
Digital presenceSEATAC financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SEATAC leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
SEATAC funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SEATAC 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 SEATAC
What does SEATAC do?
SEATAC is Nova Scotia's first and only Technology Access Centre (TAC) and the only ocean technology TAC in Canada. It delivers ocean research and development services to small and medium-sized ocean technology companies, including access to a custom-built 9-metre research vessel, oceanographic sampling, hydrographic surveying, underwater ROV observation, and aerial drone observation, alongside applied research projects, technical and business consulting, and customized training through collaboration with NSCC.
Is SEATAC a public or private company?
SEATAC is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was SEATAC founded?
SEATAC was founded in -1. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is SEATAC based?
SEATAC is headquartered in Dartmouth, Canada, in the North America region.
How does SEATAC make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Applied Research Services are the primary driver. The others are government and Institutional Funding.
Who are SEATAC's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Ocean Networks Canada, Marine Institute (Memorial University), NRC Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP), Centre for Ocean Ventures & Entrepreneurship (COVE) and Centre for Marine Applied Research (CMAR). National Oceanography Centre (NOC) is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Bedford Institute of Oceanography and Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI).
Does SEATAC have an API?
No public API is recorded for SEATAC.
What industry is SEATAC in?
SEATAC's product category is Ocean Technology Research Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLAHAJAM, Offshore/Remote Port Call & Anchorage Services (Launch Boats, Crew Boats, Supply Runs), with a secondary code of IMAFAJAH, Navigation & Aids-to-Navigation Works (Beacons, Buoys, Markers). Its NAICS code is 4883 and its SIC code is 8731.