Ottawa: Canadian cleantech companies saw a record-breaking 13 businesses being named to the prestigious Global Cleantech 100 list at the Cleantech Forum in San Francisco on January 23. The list is said to represent “the most innovative and promising clean technologies from around the world.”
Seven of the 13 companies being recognized are Export Development Canada (EDC) customers. EDC is the largest provider of financial solutions for cleantech companies looking to export, providing nearly $1.5 billion in support to the sector in 2017. EDC expects to support more than $6 billion in cleantech business between now and 2020.
“The demand for solutions to tackle climate change for the future of clean economies is massive. Companies just need support to take full advantage of it,” said Mischa Steiner, CEO of Awesense. “We have a great product and customer demand, but had trouble securing financing to get ahead of demand to be able to deliver. EDC guaranteed our loan, allowing us to finance projects for international customers, and expand outside the country.”
“Canadian cleantech companies are punching above their weight and creating innovative solutions to meet a massive global demand that continues to grow,” said Carl Burlock, Senior Vice President, Financing, Export Development Canada. “EDC’s financial solutions, knowledge of the industry, and global network make us a valuable partner in helping cleantech businesses succeed internationally.”
Since 2012, EDC has tripled its cleantech customers, facilitating more than $3.4 billion in business in 114 countries. The global market is estimated to be worth US$1 trillion, and expected to surpass US $2.5 trillion by 2020.
On the list are (asterisks are directly electricity-related):
* Awesense Wireless Inc. (True Grid Intelligence grid monitoring platform) (EDC client)
Axine Water Technologies (water & wastewater)
Carbon Cure (advanced materials)
* ecobee Inc. (room sensors, smart thermostats) (EDC client)
* Enbala Power Networks Inc. (dispatchable load management for grid ancillary services; see the August 2012 issue of IPPSO FACTO) (EDC client)
Enerkem (biofuels & biochemical)
Farmers Edge (a farm management platform) (EDC client)
* GaN Systems (energy efficiency)
Mine Sense Technologies Ltd. (real-time, sensor-based ore sorting) (EDC client)
* Opus One (smart grid; see the June 2017 issue of IPPSO FACTO)
Saltworks (water & wastewater)
Semios (onsite sensing, big data and predictive analytics for agriculture) (EDC client)
Terramera (sustainable agriculture) (EDC client)