Meet Wenwen Pei, RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards Innovation Finalist

Wenwen Pei is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Marine Thinking. She is honoured to lead a dedicated team of professionals, who strive to create positive change for the marine industry through artificial intelligence and robotics. They have developed an AI-driven control and communication system that provides intelligent performance and self-operation capabilities to crewed and uncrewed surface vessels. 

With a Master of Applied Science in Civil Engineering and a Master of Engineering in Environmental Engineering, Wenwen’s educational background has been instrumental in shaping her career. Her professional experience spans a range of fields, including engineering, optimization modeling, water/wastewater treatment, project management, and academic research.

I knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur when… I met the other three founders of my company — a seasoned entrepreneur, an AI expert, and a robotics engineer. I realized that together, we were the perfect team to create something impactful. 

Entrepreneurship is made for me because… I enjoy conquering challenges and making a difference. 

The impact I hope to make through my work is… to further explore our oceans using simplified methods.

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned on my entrepreneurial journey is… everything has its own rhythm. Whether it’s building a team, targeting the market, or confirming a roadmap, it’s crucial to follow the rhythm and trust your instincts. Be patient, brave, and you’ll get there.

My proudest accomplishment is… building a team of over 20 talented individuals, from diverse countries, with different skill sets and backgrounds, working toward a common goal.

The biggest risk I took that paid off was… co-founding Marine Thinking instead of pursuing a stable career. Stepping into the unknown to pursue a vision to transform traditional vessels into autonomous, innovative technologies was a gamble. However, it led to the creation of a thriving company, proving that the risk was worth it.

My biggest setback has been… facing difficulties in securing initial funding for our projects. 

I overcame it by… focusing on refining our business strategy and demonstrating tangible results.

The best advice I’ve received as an entrepreneur was… to find the niche market and prioritize customer discovery.

I surprise people when I tell them… that despite my background in Environmental Engineering, I’ve successfully transitioned into a management role at an AI and robotics technology company, and have made significant strides in this field. This shift showcases my adaptability and highlights my commitment to continuous learning and growth.

If I had an extra hour in the day, I would use it to… absorb more knowledge. Whether it’s diving into new research, exploring emerging technologies, or learning from industry experts, expanding my understanding would help me to stay at the forefront of innovation, continuously improving both personally and professionally.

The future excites me because… it offers endless possibilities for innovation and growth. 

Connect with Wenwen on LinkedIn and learn more about Marine Thinking here.