The Ocean Global Canada Lab is a collaborative research initiative leveraging blue economy best practices to achieve environmentally responsible, commercially profitable, and socially acceptable outcomes in the ocean economy. To diversify successfully, Canadian SMEs in the ocean sector require a nuanced understanding of where the opportunities lie, and how to successfully break into global and regional value chains. In partnership with Canadian and international partners, the Lab is deploying data analytics and evidence-based research to better understand the interlinkages between trade, investment, equity, and sustainability.