Karl Kenny
A true entrepreneur with business acumen are words that describe Karl Kenny, President & CEO of Marport Deep Sea Technologies Inc. Karl was the visionary thought leader behind the development of Software Defined Sonar technology, technology that is revolutionizing the underwater acoustics industry. This technology is used for a wide variety of underwater sensing and communications applications in defence, commercial fisheries, offshore energy and ocean science. Their product portfolio includes wireless sensors, sonars, acoustic monitoring devices and underwater modems.
Since his early days as a maritime surface officer with Canadian Navy in the early 1980’s, Karl Kenny has been involved in hi tech. In the 1980’s, he was an integral part of the Microsoft mouse project. In 1996, he co-founded Telepix Imaging Inc., a world leader in digital imaging software and photo ecommerce.
In 2003, after recognizing potential for underwater sensing and communications for areas in addition to fishing, he co-founded Marport Canada Inc. In 2006, Marport Canada incorporated all existing operations under one holding company, Marport Deep Sea Technologies, Inc.
This company has experienced incredible growth, perhaps because they innovate constantly, utilizing the strengths of the 110 staff located in Canada, France, USA and Iceland. Under Karl Kenny’s lead, Marport maintains the leading edge. They reinvest a significant portion of revenue back into the company in the form of internal research and development.
Karl has served as an Advisory Board member at the National Research Council’s Institute for Ocean Technology, is currently on the Board of Directors at the Genesis Centre of Memorial University and also serves as an entrepreneur mentor at the Genesis Centre.
In 2011, for the 4th consecutive year, Marport was named to the Marine Technology Reporter’s Top 100 – this recognized them as a lead company serving the global marine technology industry. Marport has also received the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 – being the17th fastest tech company in Canada.
Karl once commented that nifty technology intrigued him. What he has done
with nifty technology intrigues us – so much so that he will be honoured as a
2012 Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame inductee.