The idea for Open Ocean Robotics (OOR) was born from a life-changing experience when Julie and Colin Angus set out on the first-ever rowing expedition across the Atlantic Ocean, during the worst hurricane season in history. In 2005, they rowed for five months, encountering vast stretches of unmonitored ocean and harsh weather conditions. This trip reinforced the challenge scientists and environmentalists face when collecting important ocean data and inspired the duo to find a clean-tech solution.
Launched in Victoria, B.C. in 2018, OOR designs and manufactures solar-powered, uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs) equipped with advanced sensors and communication systems that provide consistent ocean data to the team on land, without producing carbon emissions. Using AI-driven analytics, the data collected supports smarter and faster decision-making in environmental monitoring, maritime domain awareness and infrastructure protection.
Given that oceans span multiple continents, exporting made sense for the company. With Export Navigator’s guidance, OOR has entered three new international markets and developed an international distributor network, while being on track to double their annual revenue, year-over-year. OOR currently employs 24 people across engineering, manufacturing, operations and business development.
Making Waves
Recognizing the growing demand for maritime monitoring globally, OOR set a goal of entering key international markets and expanding its presence in the United States. There was a significant opportunity for their company to secure commercial sales and government contracts across large coastal regions.
The team faced several challenges in its attempts at expanding south. Each sector— defence, energy, and environmental research—has its own requirements and buying cycles. It was time consuming and difficult for the team to navigate the export regulations, build connections with credible partners globally and access funding to support export activities. All while managing limited internal resources.
External expertise was needed to take the leap to international markets.
Sea-zing the Opportunity
OOR connected with Export Advisor, Jason Seed in June 2024 to support their international growth.
Jason’s strategic input connected OOR with a variety of international opportunities, and provided export planning, market prioritization and compliance support along the way. Jason also helped the company access targeted funding opportunities to expand.
Export Navigator proved to be an invaluable resource, enabling Julie to expand OORs international presence. Now, the company is operating in Singapore, South Korea and Iceland, along with a distributor network across Europe, the Middle East and Latin America.
“The support we received positioned us to pursue larger contracts and to scale with confidence in new markets,” shares Julie. “As a startup company, you’re likely short on resources. Working with Export Navigator is like gaining an incredible team member you could never afford to hire and would struggle to find on your own. Take advantage of this amazing resource, you deserve all the help you can get!”
Further connections have allowed OOR to build strong relationships internationally with major defence and security partners. Along with expanding market reach, the resources Jason provided have allowed OOR to increase shipping and operational efficiency and streamline their sales strategy.
Floating Forward
The value of Export Navigator’s support to OOR cannot be overstated.
“Start early and take full advantage of the expertise available,” recommends Julie. “The support is personalized, practical, and incredibly valuable, especially for B.C. businesses looking to expand into global markets with confidence.”
