Springboard’s Chris Fevens discusses innovation at innovation Waves conference
From the Springboard Content Lab
Springboard Atlantic’s Chris Fevens was a guest on the Gale Force Wins podcast during the Innovation Waves conference in St. John’s NL, Dec 1-3.
The conference, organized by Ocean’s Advance, is an industry showcase focused on cutting-edge cold ocean technologies and applications.
This three-day event brings together innovators, researchers, and industry leaders to highlight solutions tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities of cold ocean environments. From sustainable fisheries, marine defence, and offshore energy to ocean observation, aquaculture, subsea robotics, and Arctic exploration, this conference is your gateway to ocean innovation in one of the world’s most rugged and resource-rich regions.
Representing a network of 19 Atlantic Canadian post-secondary institutions, Springboard’s Manager of Partnerships and Member Support, Chris Fevens, used the platform to emphasize the critical importance of academic talent, applied research, and industry engagement in the region’s rapidly expanding ocean tech sector.
Springboard: A Catalyst for Commercialization and Collaboration
Fevens said Springboard Atlantic’s central mission is accelerating innovation across Atlantic Canada by connecting researchers with industry challenges and supporting the commercialization of new technologies.
Springboard supports more than 10,000 researchers across the region, helping universities and colleges build partnerships, generate intellectual property, and translate research into economic growth.
“We help foster innovation and commercialize it. On the flip side, we work with industry partners to help solve their R&D needs. Oceans is a growing area of focus for us.”
Chris Fevens, Springboard’s Manager of Partnerships and Member Support
With Springboard members Memorial University and the College of the North Atlantic, and industry partners showcasing cutting-edge cold ocean technologies, Springboard acts as the connective tissue between academic discovery and real-world application.
Driving Ocean Innovation Through Long-Standing Partnerships
Fevens observed how deeply universities are embedded in Atlantic Canada’s ocean innovation ecosystem. Long-standing partnerships — like those between Memorial University and companies such as C-CORE — demonstrate the value of sustained collaboration. But Fevens also noted a shift: as global challenges evolve, so do research priorities.
Artificial intelligence, radar systems, drones, subsea robotics, and digital twins are now top of mind. Fevens emphasized that Atlantic Canadian institutions are well-positioned to lead this next wave of ocean innovation, thanks to their expertise and their adaptability.
“The partnerships have always been there,” he noted. “They’re just expanding as technology and global competition shift.”
Navigating Defence Innovation and Dual-Use Technologies
A major thread running through the conference was the growing intersection between ocean innovation and defence technologies — particularly with NATO DIANA’s presence in Halifax. Fevens discussed how dual-use technologies are prompting researchers and industry to rethink applications for defence, security, and marine operations.
“These technologies developed for one purpose are now being applied in new ways to support defence initiatives. Springboard is helping institutions navigate this evolving landscape and responds nimbly to federal priorities.”
Chris Fevens, Springboard Atlantic
How Springboard Helps Industry and Researchers Connect
A core message Fevens delivered in St. John’s was that collaboration begins with a conversation. Many companies don’t realize how accessible university expertise can be — and how quickly research partnerships can accelerate innovation.
For industry partners, Fevens’ advice was simple: engage directly with the research offices at Atlantic Canadian institutions. “They’re more than willing to help,” he said. “They can often provide expertise free of charge or are looking for opportunities to apply their research.”
For researchers, Fevens encouraged staying closely connected with their institution’s research and innovation office — the first stop for industry connections, commercialization support, and navigating partnership opportunities.