St. Lawrence Lab – Lab St-Laurent

About

The St. Lawrence Lab, port and maritime innovation cluster, brings together key industry players to foster concrete collaborations with technology companies. Its mission is to stimulate innovation and the deployment of breakthrough technologies in the port and maritime sector along the St. Lawrence–Saguenay (SLS) corridor.

Together, members will collaborate to accelerate innovation within a shared vision for the SLS corridor, thereby strengthening the competitiveness of Canadian ports and their supply chains.

Sign up for the info session

View the program pamphlet

The challenge

For 2026, the challenge will focus on smart solutions aimed at strengthening the resilience of port assets. The reliability of supply chains is a strategic issue in Canada, particularly along the St. Lawrence River, where many sectors depend on maritime transportation for the supply and shipment of goods. Ports represent a critical link in this chain but are facing increasing pressures related to climate variability, changing operational needs, and aging infrastructure. The industry is therefore seeking technologies capable of improving the performance, safety, and durability of port assets.

The major challenge, “Resilience of Port Assets”, is structured around three thematic pillars:

(These pillars are provided as guidance and do not exclude other innovative approaches that contribute to enhancing the resilience of port assets.)

Pillar 1 – Infrastructure Inspection

We are seeking technologies that can, in particular:

inspect port assets, including through underwater drones, bathymetric surveys, or comparable approaches;
develop innovative decision‑support tools based on inspection data from key assets in both submerged and above-water areas, supported by advanced analysis tools (e.g., AI for defect interpretation)

Pillar 2 – Asset Monitoring

We are seeking solutions that can, in particular:

measure the condition and performance of port assets (wharves, breakwaters, basins, fixed equipment, bollards, storage surfaces, etc.) through sensors, IoT systems, or other data‑collection technologies;
analyze the collected data to detect trends and anticipate potential degradation or emerging risks, with a view to enabling predictive maintenance.

Pillar 3 – Climate Resilience

We are seeking technologies that can, in particular:

anticipate long-term climate trends to support operational planning;
provide high‑accuracy weather forecasting, including ice dynamics, climate anomalies, and tide variations;
optimize snow and ice management in port operations, on the quayside, and within navigational channels;
improve the management of quayside and stormwater, including retention basins, filtration systems, and monitoring of water quality at system outflows.

Complement – Open Challenge

Do you develop a solution that directly or indirectly enhances the resilience of port assets?
We want to hear you!

Why choose the St. Lawrence Lab Innovation Challenge?

Testing Ground

Test your solutions in a real-world environment. The St. Lawrence ports are opening their doors to you, offering industrial spaces with immense possibilities.

Coaching & Support

Access on‑demand personalized coaching to refine your business proposal in collaboration with one or more ports. Our teams provide cutting‑edge technical expertise and entrepreneurial support.

Visibility

Benefit from networking opportunities with decision‑makers and innovation leaders from Québec’s ports. The St. Lawrence represents a port system handling 160 Mt of cargo annually — a significant market.

Project Funding Support

Access support to identify and secure public or private funding sources to support the development of a proof of concept in a port environment (conditions apply).

Selection Criteria and Process

You are a startup or a growing company incorporated in Canada
You have developed at least a functional prototype, ready to be tested and addressing one of the program’s challenges
You are available between June and December 2026 to participate in the program’s various activities

Express your interest through this short form by April 19. If your application is selected, you will be contacted by May 2026.

FAQ

Is it possible to apply for more than one challenge?

Companies may select a first priority stream in the application form when applying to the Lab St‑Laurent Innovation Challenge. They will then be able to select a second, secondary stream.

Online or in person?

Activities under the initiative, including follow‑up sessions and meetings with technical experts and innovation leads from port and maritime partners, will take place primarily online in order to limit travel costs.

Please note that the finalist pitch event for the Challenge, as well as the business matchmaking sessions, will be held in Montréal (Québec, Canada), at Ax.c’s premises.

Equity and expenses

This initiative does not require any equity stake, and participating companies are not required to pay any fees to take part in the initiative.

IP

No total or partial transfer of intellectual property rights will take place without the prior written consent of the participating companies. Where applicable, intellectual property arrangements will be negotiated on a case‑by‑case basis with industrial partners, depending on the projects implemented.

Confidentiality

Participating companies are advised not to include confidential information in the application form or in any supporting documents. Subsequently, they will be required to sign a non‑disclosure and confidentiality agreement outlining the main terms governing any potential disclosure of confidential information, thereby framing and protecting discussions and information exchanges between the participating company and industrial partners.

Ready to take on the St. Lawrence Lab Innovation Challenge?

Submit your application and help shape the future of the port and maritime sector

Deadline: April 19

Submit your application