Seventeen Canadian cleantech startups have received funding from the federal government through Sustainable Development Technology Canada’s (SDTC) seed fund. The amount of financing deployed into the startups was not disclosed.
“I am encouraged by the leading-edge innovation we are seeing in applications to the SDTC seed fund.”
– Leah Lawrence, SDTC
SDTC’s seed fund, piloted in 2019, was expanded in August to support up to 100 startups each year. Businesses selected for investment receive between $50,000 to $100,000 from SDTC. The seed fund’s model calls on business accelerators and incubators across Canada to partner with STDC in identifying startups for investment. These organizations nominate companies in their portfolios that meet the government’s funding criteria.
“As Canada and the world struggle with the economic and public health challenges of COVID-19, I am encouraged by the leading-edge innovation we are seeing in applications to the SDTC seed fund,” said Leah Lawrence, president and CEO of SDTC. “Canada can lead the world in finding the solutions that will enable us to build back better. The entrepreneurs we are funding through this program are leading the way.”
The second call for seed fund applications for this year will launch in the Fall. The 17 Canadian companies approved by SDTC for seed funding during the first of four rounds planned for this fiscal year include:
Based in Sherbrooke, Quebec, this startup is creating thermal management technology for batteries to lower the cost of electric vehicles, improve battery safety, and increase battery life. Calogy Solutions was nominated by Ecofuel.
Based in Toronto, Elocity is developing data-based controls to aid electricity distribution companies in maintaining grid stability to meet the demands of the electric vehicle market. Elocity was nominated by Accelerator Centre.
Kitchener-Waterloo-based Evercloak is producing nano-membranes for dehumidification that are designed to require little energy and produce little waste. Evercloak was nominated by MaRS.
Based in Shelburne, Ont., Flash Forest is deploying drones for reforestation. Its automated operations are claimed to be far cheaper and more efficient than traditional tree-planting. The startup aims to plant one billion trees by 2028, and was nominated by Climate Ventures.
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Based in Delta, BC, Hydra Energy retrofits diesel-powered heavy-duty vehicles to partially run on hydrogen and supply purified hydrogen. The startup was nominated by Foresight Cleantech Accelerator Centre
Impactful Health Research & Development
This Montreal-based startup is developing active compostable packaging to extend the shelf life of fresh foods, particularly fish, in order to reduce waste. The startup was nominated by Innovacorp.
Based in St. John’s, NL, this startup develops software to improve the efficiency of the dairy supply chain and reduce the carbon footprint of dairy trucks. The company was nominated by Genesis.
Based in Montreal, OmniPly Technology aims to make flexible electronic production more efficient through delamination technology. This startup was nominated by Tandem Launch.
Victoria-based OneFeather is developing technology for streamlined digital voting, status card renewal, online banking, and other services to Indigenous people across Canada. OneFeather was nominated by Tectoria – ViaTech.
This Montreal-based company builds chips with measurement applications in the autonomous vehicles market. The startup was nominated by FounderFuel.
Montreal-based OPA Technologies is developing collaboration software to better plan, coordinate, and communicate road closures and traffic detours, using geospatial data. The company was nominated by EcoFuel.
Based in Sydney, Nova Scotia, and nominated by Verschuren Centre, Phycusis making formaldehyde-free glycolic acid using synthetic biology. The technology produces high-purity ingredients in the cosmetics market, with a lower carbon footprint.
Halifax-based Reazent makes organic replacements for agrochemicals. These products help in crop disease control, yield growth, and abiotic stress resistance in the agricultural industry. The startup was nominated by Verschuren Centre.
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Halifax-based ReelData, which was nominated by Innovacorp, is developing artificial intelligence and computer vision software for aquaculture, providing real-time metrics to fish farms. The startup claims this reduces wasted fish feed and mortality by tracking fish health, hunger, and weight.
This Calgary-based startup is constructing high-temperature electrolyzers that convert carbon dioxide and water into valuable fuels. The carbon process can be used in green plastics, chemical and metal processing industries. Innovate Calgary nominated SeeO2 Energy.
Nominated by Centech Montréal, Solid State of Mind is developing an artificial intelligence capable of adapting to real-time changes in the environment. Designed to function on low power, these robotic systems are meant to cut down CO2 emissions.
Calgary-based Summit Nanotech is using nanotechnology to isolate lithium ions from solutions, providing sustainably sourced lithium to the electric vehicle sector. The process uses no fresh water, produces less waste, and doubles the lithium yield. This startup was nominated by MaRS.
Image source Unsplash. Photo by Nong Vang.
