Cleantech Forward

In 2016, the Canada's Oil Sands Innovation Alliance (COSIA) worked with Foresight to source and vet technological solutions that could replace or supplement conventional hot water production approaches in either new or existing mining operations without using existing (or new) steam resources for heat exchange purposes. This is the story of that challenge.For more information, visit foresightcac.com/challenge/hot-water-production

All around the world, scientists, researchers, advocates, and activists are calling for urgent action on climate change to avoid the dangers that it poses to the stability of our society. In response, governments and corporations have made pledges to commit to cleaner, more sustainable practices, reduce emissions, and begin transitioning toward a net zero future. However, we're seeing a disconnect between the level of action required to mitigate and adapt to climate change and the actual efforts and policies in place to achieve those goals. This is commonly referred to as the Climate Action Gap.To help illuminate the complexity of the Climate Action Gap, and discuss how we can ensure meaningful action is being taken on climate change, Cleantech Forward host Jeanette Jackson sits down with Justin Bull.Together the two discuss The complexity of the Climate Action Gap and the reasons behind why organizations are delay action;How we can ensure meaningful measures are being taken to mitigate and adapt to climate change; andWhy it is so important that we take urgent action to address climate changeJustin Bull is an Adjunct Professor at the UBC Sauder School of Business, the Leader of the Sustainability and Ethics Group, and the Academic Director of the newly established Centre for Climate and Business Solutions. At UBC Justin teaches Sustainability, Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Indigenous Relations to MBA students, undergraduates, and executive audiences. Justin has a BA in International Relations, and a PhD in Wood Science from the University of British Columbia.Never miss an episode. Don't forget to subscribe to the Cleantech Forward podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere else you listen.

Please take a moment to fill out our two-minute listener survey: https://bit.ly/3rtqdxF Canada has some of the most talented innovators in the world. Across the country, cleantech entrepreneurs are busy developing amazing solutions that can help us reach emissions targets, and transition to a net zero economy. Yet, many of those solutions won't see the light of day. High operational costs, low rates of domestic adoption, and lack of access to funding are a few of the major challenges that prevent cleantech ventures from developing and deploying their products into the market. Which is where accelerators like Foresight step in. On this episode of Cleantech Forward, Foresight CEO Jeanette Jackson sits down with Heather Stephens of Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA), an organization that provides funding for cleantech projects, and Ryan Bourns, the Business Strategy Development Manager at Carbon Upcycling Technologies, an Alberta-based CCUS company that has received funding from ERA. Together, the three discuss the challenges innovators face, the state of cleantech adoption in Canada, and why it's so important that accelerators offer their services to Canadian entrepreneurs.Never miss an episode. Don't forget to subscribe to the Cleantech Forward podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere else you listen.Heather Stephens is ERA's Chief Operating Officer. Heather has worked with ERA since inception and has played a key role in operating and growing the organization over the past 12 years. In her current role, Heather leads teams responsible for finance, project portfolio management, information technology, contract management, governance, and Human Resources. As a Chartered Professional Accountant, Heather brings her extensive background in audit and financial accounting with not-for-profit organizations, Government of Alberta agencies, as well as various private and public Canadian and International companies. Prior to joining ERA directly, Heather spent 20 years with the multi-national accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers in both the Edmonton and London, UK offices, the last nine of which were primarily dedicated to helping establish and operate ERA (formerly Climate Change and Emissions Management Corporation). Heather graduated from the University of Alberta with Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Commerce degrees.As Business Strategy Development Manager, Ryan Bourns is accountable for the commercialization of Carbon Upcycling's proprietary technology. He plays a key role in the execution of the Company's strategy and further development in the North American region. Throughout his four years with the Company, Ryan has taken part in several global initiatives, such as the Carbon XPRIZE challenge, as well as industry leadership through Minister Champagne's working group on decarbonizing cement. Ryan is a University of Calgary alumni, holding a master in sustainable energy development. He also holds a bachelor of commerce from the University of Guelph.

Climate disasters are on the rise, and as these events rise in both frequency and severity, the fight against climate change is also becoming more and more urgent. Canada has a wealth of passionate, inspiring cleantech innovators who are working hard to develop, deploy, and scale technologies and solutions that will help Canada and the world eliminate emissions, waste, and achieve a net zero economy. However, many innovators in Canada struggle to secure capital, attract customers or industry partners, and deploy their solutions on the open market. Which is where accelerators like Foresight come in. Through mentorship, education, industry and investor connections, and networking events, our programs have supported more than 1,000 Canadian cleantech ventures which have generated more than $439 million in revenue, created nearly 8,000 jobs, and have raised more than $1.4 billion dollars in funding. On this episode of Cleantech Forward, Foresight CEO and host Jeanette Jackson is joined by Foresight Canada's Senior Director of Market Transformation and the Senior Director of Cleantech with Social Innovation Canada, Barnabe Geis, and Cycle Momentum CEO Patrick Gagné. Together the three explore why these programs are indispensable for Canadian cleantech entrepreneurs, the driving forces behind cleantech acceleration in Canada, and what we can do to collectively accelerate cleantech adoption.Barnabe is the Senior Director of Market Transformation with Foresight Canada. He works to develop programs and partnerships that remove barriers, leverage policy developments, and grow market opportunities to accelerate the adoption and scale up of clean technologies. He is also the Senior Director of Cleantech with Social Innovation Canada, where he works to advance the development and adoption of clean technologies through social innovation, education, research, partnerships, and ecosystem development. While with the Centre for Social Innovation, Barnabe founded, and was the Executive Director of, Climate Ventures, an organization that fast-tracked the success of early-stage entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders developing and implementing solutions to the climate crisis. Patrick Gagné is the CEO of Cycle Momentum, and a Board Member at Startup Montréal, as well as Zone Agtech. Patrick brings 25 years of experience in entrepreneurship and technology to his position as CEO, and has a thorough understanding of what businesses need in order to succeed. He has held positions with the Laval Smart Mobility Incubator and Accelerator, Startup Genome, and the InnoCité Montreal accelerator. Cycle Momentum offers entrepreneurs a specialized and personalized program of training workshops, networking sessions, and experienced mentors to help them develop and commercialize clean technologies and build globally competitive companies.Never miss an episode. Don't forget to subscribe to the Cleantech Forward podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere else you listen.

Plastic waste has become ubiquitous in our environments, oceans, and even our bodies. Plastic waste is accumulating in our landfills at an alarming rate, and the question of how we move away from petroleum based plastic products toward less harmful renewables is becoming more and more urgent. Microplastics in our air, water, and food are causing a number of health concerns in humans, including effects on our reproductive and immune systems, human development, and even causes increased risk of certain cancers.On this special episode of the Cleantech Forward podcast, Foresight CEO and host Jeanette Jackson is joined by Jason Hawkins, CEO of Reusables.com, and Lee Malleau, CEO and founder of Globalnomics to celebrate Plastic Free July.Together, the three explore the transition to a plastic-free world, how changes in consumer behaviour can pressure companies to consider eco-friendly alternatives, and what we can do to make more mindful decisions about how and what we all choose to consume.Jason Hawkins is the CEO and co-founder of Reusables.com, a container sharing platform for zero-waste takeout, and has nearly a decade of experience working in the sustainability space. Prior to founding Reusables, Jason was the director of business development at FoodX Technologies, and the product manager at SPUD.ca (Sustainable Produce Urban Delivery). Jason co-founded Rooted Foods in 2015, a local and sustainable online grocery marketplace for students. He has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the Smith School of Business at Queen's University, and a Master of Finance from Nova School of Business and Economics.Lee Malleau is the CEO and founder of Globalnomics, where she works closely with public and private partners across multiple sectors from energy to screen media, agriculture, and science and technologies. From a career as an award-winning journalist, she transitioned into economic and business development with a focus on international investment and trade – including developing global best practices on business and investment programs during major events like the Olympics and World Fair when she was CEO of Vancouver's economic development corporation. Lee has a BA in journalism and economic development, including her Ec.D. from the University of Waterloo, with a focus on communications, marketing and business.Never miss an episode. Don't forget to subscribe to the Cleantech Forward podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere else you listen.The Cleantech Forward Podcast is Supported by Gowling WLG.

On this episode of the Cleantech Forward podcast, Foresight CEO and host Jeanette Jackson is joined by Allan Edwards, the Senior Trade Commissioner, and Head of Office at the High Commission of Canada's Trade office in Johannesburg, South Africa, and Lynn Cote, the National Lead of Cleantech Ecosystems and Market Intelligence, with the Cleantech Team at Export Development Canada. Canada has been recognized as a hotbed of cleantech innovation. From groundbreaking advancements in renewable energy and carbon capture, storage, and utilization, to revolutionary solutions for waste management and water conservation, Canadian cleantech companies are at the forefront of the global transition to a cleaner, net zero future. We have an abundance of talented, passionate cleantech innovators who are poised to deploy technologies, and make incredible impacts on global sustainability challenges.But our domestic market for the adoption of many of these technologies is relatively small. In order for many Canadian companies to remain competitive, achieve scale, and gain a foothold in their target market, finding customers outside of Canada is necessary. And while international markets are a good solution for the issue of adoption, expanding globally comes with its own set of unique barriers. Jeanette and the guests explore how Canada's official export-supporting programs like the Trade Commissioner Service and Export Development Canada help cleantech innovators as they navigate the challenges associated with international expansion. From foreign regulations and cultural differences, to infrastructure and logistics challenges, our guests break down how they are helping Canada's cleantech ecosystem grow beyond our borders. —--------Allan Edwards is the Senior Trade Commissioner and Head of Office at the High Commission of Canada's Trade Office in Johannesburg, South Africa. He has worked to support Canadian business as a Trade Commissioner since February, 1994. In that time he has been posted to Tokyo, Seattle, Osaka, Nagoya, Taipei, and Toronto. His office is responsible for helping Canadian companies develop trade relationships in South Africa, Namibia, Mauritius, Lesotho, and Madagascar. He is also the Regional Senior Trade Commissioner responsible for Comoros, Tanzania, the Seychelles, and Zambia.Lynn Cote is the National Lead Cleantech Ecosystems & Market Intelligence, Cleantech Team at Export Development Canada. Lynn has been with EDC in some capacity since 1990. She has worked on a number of teams, and held positions in IT, Underwriting, Business Analysis, Business Process Management. In 2013 she joined the Infrastructure and Financial Services team where she was focussed on the cleantech sector, and has been Lead of the Cleantech Team since 2016.

Although large in terms of its geography, Canada has a relatively small domestic market for cleantech adoption. Many Canadian cleantech innovators must pursue opportunities outside of our borders if they want to be successful, but navigating the global marketplace can be challenging. With often-complex laws and regulations, logistical and infrastructure challenges, and different cultural business environments, bridging the gap between foreign and domestic markets comes with a lot of potential barriers. Having help from trusted partners can ease that transition, and help ventures find and capitalize on opportunities.On this episode of Cleantech Forward, Foresight CEO and host, Jeanette Jackson is joined by Hein Molenkamp, managing director of the Netherlands-based Water Alliance, Scott Allison, the senior project manager with Denmark's CLEAN Cluster, and Tim Bailey, a partner with Gowling WLG. Together the three explore the different ways in which these ecosystem builders contribute to the success of cleantech entrepreneurs as they bridge the gap between domestic and international markets, what they can do to help facilitate the relationships between customers and cleantech exporters, and the strategies they employ to connect innovators with the right partners, investors, and markets, ultimately helping them overcome the hurdles that come with international expansion.Scott Allison is the Senior Project Manager at CLEAN, the Danish Cleantech Cluster.  At CLEAN, he is developing the City Solutions Platform to accelerate innovative climate solutions in global cities around the world in collaboration with C40 Cities Leadership Group. Scott has been in the sustainability space for nearly a decade. In 2014 he joined Contico, a green think tank and policy advocate, making sustainable recommendations to politicians, companies, and citizens. He is a passionate climate change project manager, leader, communicator, event and workshop organiser with expert knowledge gained from international experience.Hein Molenkamp is the Managing Director of the Water Alliance. He is an experienced professional in the field of water technology with a background in engineering and business. During his time at the Dutch Water Alliance, Molenkamp played an instrumental role in promoting Dutch water technology internationally and forging partnerships with key stakeholders in the global water sector. Under his leadership, the Dutch Water Alliance became recognized as a major player in the water technology sector, both in the Netherlands and abroad.Timothy Bailey is a partner in Gowling WLG's Calgary office, and leader of the firm's Calgary Intellectual Property Group. He specializes in representing high tech, oil and gas, cleantech, pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients. As a lawyer, Tim helps clients understand, defend, and enforce their intellectual property rights, commercialize technology, and navigate public and private transactions by addressing various intellectual-property issues that arise during due diligence, negotiations, and the drafting of transaction-related documents.Never miss an episode. Don't forget to subscribe to the Cleantech Forward podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere else you listen.The Cleantech Forward Podcast is Supported by Gowling WLG.

With a relatively small domestic market, Canadian cleantech innovators must often look to international markets in order to stay competitive. So, how can Canadian cleantech ventures thrive in the global marketplace? On this episode of Cleantech Forward, Foresight CEO and host Jeanette Jackson is joined by Jocelyn Campbell, the Director of Business Development at CarbonCure, and Emily Hicks, President and co-founder of FREDSense. Together, the three discuss the best practices for finding international customers, operating in foreign markets, and the tools available to Canadian cleantech innovators who are ready to export their technologies. Jocelyn Campbell is a Regional Director for CarbonCure Technologies with more than seven years of experience working with industrial businesses to improve operations and sustainability practices in the oil and gas industry and construction sector. At CarbonCure, Jocelyn is focused on strategic business development for the Asia Pacific region to increase concrete producer adoption of CarbonCure's technologies to help lower the carbon footprint of the built environment through the injection of captured CO2 into concrete. She has an honours BSc with a specialization in environmental science.Emily Hicks is the President and Co-Founder at FREDSense Technologies. She was named to Corporate Knight's top 30 under 30, and the Bay Street Bull top 30 under 30 lists. Emily graduated from the University of Calgary in 2013, with a Bachelor of Health Science, Biomedical Sciences. While in university, Emily was a student team leader at the synthetic biology research group International Genetically Engineered Machines (iGEM) Calgary, from 2010 to 2013. Under her leadership, the team won a variety of awards for their work including Best Entrepreneurial Project, World Finals 2013, Best Human Practice Advance and top 16 Team, World Finals 2012, Best Environmental Project, World Finals 2011, and more.Never miss an episode. Don't forget to subscribe to the Cleantech Forward podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere else you listen.The Cleantech Forward Podcast is Supported by Gowling WLG.

The climate crisis continues to grow more urgent. Despite the many clarion calls from the scientific community, the emergency continues to build unabated, due to our collective inability to take meaningful, decisive measures in opposition. Mountains of evidence, and many recent examples of storms and other weather events that set records in terms of intensity and financial impact, don't seem to be enough to galvanize the population and move us toward action. Why aren't we doing more? We'll find out on this episode of Cleantech Forward.On this episode, Foresight CEO and Cleantech Forward Host Jeanette Jackson is joined by Seth Klein, the Team Lead and Director of Strategy at the Climate Emergency Unit, and the author of The Good War: Mobilizing Canada for the Climate Emergency. Seth and Jeanette discuss the state of cleantech adoption in Canada and what we can do to accelerate that process. They take a look at our national progress in the fight against climate change while comparing it to similar existential crises and how they were handled.Seth Klein is the Team Lead and Director of Strategy of the Climate Emergency Unit (a 5-year project of the David Suzuki Institute that Seth launched in early 2021). Prior to that, he served for 22 years (1996-2018) as the founding British Columbia Director of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, a public policy research institute committed to social, economic and environmental justice. He is the author of A Good War: Mobilizing Canada for the Climate Emergency (published in 2020) and writes a regular column for the National Observer.Never miss an episode. Don't forget to subscribe to the Cleantech Forward podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere else you listen.The Cleantech Forward Podcast is Supported by Gowling WLG.

The adoption of cleantech is a critical step that needs to be taken in order for Canada to achieve a net zero economy, but securing an industry partnership can be a long and difficult path to navigate for new cleantech entrepreneurs. At Foresight, we facilitate partnerships and collaboration between industry and cleantech innovators through our award-winning SDG Connect Challenge Platform, which drives innovation and the adoption of new technologies. To date, Foresight has run 56 innovation challenges, which are projected to reduce 68 megatonnes of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. On this episode of Cleantech Forward, Foresight CEO and host Jeanette Jackson is joined by two of Foresight's industry partners: Faisal Mirza, the Senior Project Manager for the City of Vancouver's Solid Waste Strategic Services, and Bernardita Araya, the Manager of CMPC Ventures, the corporate venture arm of CMPC, one of the world's largest pulp and paper companies. Together, the three explore What industry partners look for when they are shopping for solutions that will help them achieve their emissions targetsWhat they want to see from cleantech innovators who are pitching solutions to themWhat makes a solution stand outFaisal Mirza is a Senior Project Manager in the Solid Waste Strategic Services branch with the City of Vancouver's Engineering Services Department. He works on strategic projects that include Construction & Demolition (C&D) Material Recovery, IT, clean technology, public art, and infrastructure with a focus on the City landfill located in Delta, BC. Prior to joining the City in 2012, he worked for a clean technology investment bank in Toronto performing due diligence on technologies, raising money for companies and funds, and advising on the monetization of carbon offsets. He is a Professional Engineer, MBA and Project Management Professional (PMP) and lives in Vancouver.Bernardita Araya is the Manager at CMPC Ventures, the Corporate Venture arm of CMPC, one of the largest  pulp and paper companies in the world. She holds a PhD in Biotechnology and an MSc from University of Cambridge, England, and received a chemistry degree from Universidad de Chile. She has more than 15 years of experience in entrepreneurship and science based technology development, with experience in R&D at large corporations, VC and technology transfer.Never miss an episode. Don't forget to subscribe to the Cleantech Forward podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere else you listen.The Cleantech Forward Podcast is Supported by Gowling WLG.

On this episode of Cleantech Forward, we kick off our new three-part series on the adoption of cleantech. Every major Canadian industry is facing the challenge of meeting ambitious emissions targets. Canada's plan of reaching net zero emissions by 2050 requires a lot of immediate change. We need to rapidly connect industry with innovators to deploy emissions-reducing cleantech into traditional practices.Host and Foresight CEO Jeanette Jackson is joined by the CEO of Summit Nanotech, Amanda Hall, and the CEO of ZILA Works, Jason Puracal. Our guests share their insights on:The obstacles hindering widespread adoption of clean technologiesWhat entrepreneurs can do in order to speed up the adoption processHow we can encourage industry/innovator partnershipsOver the next two episodes, we'll speak with industry leaders who have already made the shift towards sustainability, learn about the changes they've made in their operations, and find out what they look for when searching for solutions to meet their emissions goals.Jason Puracal is the co-founder and CEO of ZILA Works. He is a versatile leader with a passion for environmental stewardship and social justice. His unique background provides him with a holistic perspective and the ability to strategize in complex situations. He has a demonstrated ability to manifest theory into action under the most challenging of circumstances. Jason earned his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Washington, and a Masters of Arts in Sustainable Business from Presidio Graduate School. Amanda Hall is the Founder and CEO of Summit Nanotech. A professional geophysicist with more than 11 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, four years in the mining industry, and four years as a laboratory scientist, Amanda brings her technical and industry experience to her leadership role in clean energy, shaping the clean technology sector and energy transition. Amanda earned her Bachelor of Sciences majoring in Biology and minoring in Physics from the University of Toronto and her Bachelor of Science in Geophysics from the University of Calgary.Never miss an episode. Don't forget to subscribe to the Cleantech Forward podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere else you listen.The Cleantech Forward Podcast is Supported by Gowling WLG.

On this episode of Cleantech Forward, we wrap up our three-part series on capital, exploring the keys to unlocking a net zero future through the lens of capital and policy, and what can be done to help Canadian entrepreneurs gain access to the resources they need to commercialize and scale their solutions. Foresight CEO and host Jeanette Jackson is joined by Foresight VP Operations Elizabeth Thorsen, and the head of the University of Calgary's Masters of Sustainable Development program Sara Hastings-Simon. The three discuss the recent cleantech tax credit and carbon contract announcements in Canada, how these policies will help attract investors to the Canadian market, and how these tools will help us achieve our net zero ambitions.Sara Hastings-Simon is a scientist by trade, has a Phd in physics, and is a professor at the University of Calgary, where she directs the Masters of Sustainable Energy Development program, training future leaders through an interdisciplinary lens in the sustainable energy space. She is also the co-host of the Energy vs. Climate podcast, and has worked with McKinsey & Company in the oil and gas and energy sectors, and the Pembina Institute where she worked to influence and shape climate policy in Canada.Elizabeth Thorsen the VP Operations at Foresight Canada. Elizabeth has worked with start-up and scale-up businesses for nearly 15 years in the areas of investment and funding strategy, marketing & sales development, and growth planning. With experience in industries including cleantech, digital media/ICT, CPG, finance, and life sciences, Elizabeth specializes in working with cross-functional teams to distill complex opportunities into tangible and actionable strategic plans. As VP Operations, Elizabeth leads MarComm & Events, Business Operations, HR, Partnerships, and Finance.Never miss an episode. Don't forget to subscribe to the Cleantech Forward podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere else you listen.The Cleantech Forward podcast is supported by Gowling WLG.

The cleantech investor landscape has changed significantly in the past few years, and continues to shift in response to current global economic conditions. As interest rates rise and economic uncertainty deepens, investors are proceeding with an abundance of caution. Yet access to capital remains critically important for Canadian innovators who are developing and deploying cleantech solutions. On this episode of Cleantech Forward, host and Foresight CEO Jeanette Jackson is joined by Sarah Applebaum, partner of Pangaea Ventures, and Tom Rand, managing partner and co-founder of ArcTern Ventures. The two share their thoughts on the current economic climate, how it's affecting the #cleantech investor landscape and ventures seeking #capital, and what it all means for Canada's net zero ambitions.Sarah Applebaum is a partner with Pangea Ventures. Sarah brings a decade of venture capital and company building experience to her role at Pangea, and has cultivated expertise in building entrepreneurial teams, scaling early stage ventures, and venture financing. In her role as an Executive in Residence at entreprenurship@UBC, Sarah is an active mentor to early stage entrepreneurs, and a startup community activator and advocate. Tom Rand is a managing partner at, and co-founder of ArcTern Ventures, and the author of three critically acclaimed books. Tom focuses his efforts on carbon mitigation and is active in cleantech venture capital, technology incubation and commercialization, and public advocacy.Never miss an episode. Don't forget to subscribe to the Cleantech Forward podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere else you listen.The Cleantech Forward podcast is supported by Gowling WLG.

In Season 2 of the Cleantech Forward podcast, host Jeanette Jackson brings listeners on a 9-episode narrative on how Canada can win the race to #netzero. First up, we're addressing the role Capital plays in the green transition.Access to capital is changing for ventures. In the midst of economic uncertainty, supply chain delays, and rising operational costs, ventures are having to adjust and navigate fluctuating markets.CEOs Anthea Sargeaunt of 2S Water, and Jason Robinson of Evoco Limited join host Jeanette Jackson to explore how entrepreneurs are coping with the increased financial pressures associated with operating a business, from rising costs to cooling cleantech investor sentiments.Last year, an independent panel of judges recognized 2S Water and Evoco Limited in our Foresight 50, a list of the 50 most investable Canadian cleantech ventures.Anthea Sargeaunt is the CEO and cofounder of 2S Water. She has an MBA with multiple previous entrepreneurial experiences. She was awarded Startup Alberta's most promising startup entrepreneur of the year, 2019, the 2021 Clean50 for Research and Development, and Anthea and 2S Water were named to the Foresight 50 in 2021.Jason Robinson is the CEO of Evoco. Jason has 20 years of experience in sustainability, with previous leadership roles at various organizations, and an extensive background in engineering and science. A pioneer in the sustainable materials industry, he is focused on creating better performing, responsible and ecological products. Jason and Evoco were named to the Foresight 50 in 2021.

On this episode of the Cleantech Forward podcast, Jordan MacKenzie, CEO of Bioform, discuss his plans to disrupt the single-use plastic industry with our panel of expert cleantech investors, Jason Switzer, director of carbonNEXT, Evok Innovations' Marty Reed, and Pangea Ventures' Sarah Applebaum. Jordan MacKenzie is the CEO of Bioform, a Canadian company seeking to rid the world of single-use plastics by replacing petroleum-based products with their plant-based, fully compostable alternative. Bioform's core technology was developed at the University of British Columbia during Jordan's time as a research associate in the Department of Mathematics and Chemical and Biological Engineering. He has over 10 years of research experience in experimental and theoretical fluid mechanics with an emphasis on creating biomaterials from cellulose.Never miss an episode! Don't forget to subscribe to the Cleantech Forward podcast. Please share, rate, and review the podcast on iTunes, Google, or wherever you listen to podcasts.Cleantech Forward is supported by Gowling WLG.

On this episode of the Cleantech Forward podcast, Circular Rubber Technologies CEO Maartje van der Sande pitches her tire recycling innovation to our panel of expert investors. Jason Switzer, director of carbonNEXT, is joined by Evok Innovations' Marty Reed and Pangea Ventures' Sarah Applebaum to evaluate Maartje's pitch, give her feedback, and answer her questions about the changing landscape of venture capital. Maartje van der Sande is the CEO of Circular Rubber Technologies (CRT), and has more than 10 years' experience leading large, capital intensive projects in the oil and gas sector. At CRT, Maartje works to optimize the value of the world's rubber waste and increases use of reclaimed rubber in high grade applications. She has a MSc in Civil Engineering, and a Micro Masters in sustainable energy.Never miss an episode! Don't forget to subscribe to the Cleantech Forward podcast. Please share, rate, and review the podcast on iTunes, Google, or wherever you listen to podcasts.Cleantech Forward is supported by Gowling WLG.

This week, Mariam Awara, COO of Pulsenics, joins Foresight CEO Jeanette Jackson to discuss how Pulsenics' technology can create efficiencies in electrochemical processes – used in industries critical to the net zero transition like hydrogen or battery production. Mariam and Jeanette dig into why we urgently need to decarbonize these technologies, and how a network of seasoned mentors can help new entrepreneurs overcome a lack of experience.A computer engineer by training, Mariam Awara is the COO and co-founder of Pulsenics. A computer engineer by training, heading up corporate development. No stranger to Canadian accelerators, she is a graduate of the Earth Tech stream of Climate Ventures' Accelerate from Anywhere program, NEXT Canada's spring 2018 cohort, and Creative Destruction Lab's 2020 Prime Stream cohort. Mariam has a Bachelor of Applied Science from the University of Calgary, and has been recognized as one of Forbes' Top 30 Under 30.Accelerate from Anywhere offers programs to help Canadian ventures at every stage of their journey, from ideation through to commercialization. Learn more. Never miss an episode! Don't forget to subscribe to the Cleantech Forward podcast. Please share, rate, and review the podcast on iTunes, Google, or wherever you listen to podcasts.Cleantech Forward is supported by Gowling WLG.

This week, Sean Hazaray, CEO and co-founder of Haze Automotive, joins Foresight CEO Jeanette Jackson to discuss his environmentally friendly carbon fiber manufacturing process, how it can positively impact the electric vehicle industry by increasing safety and lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and how Canadian accelerators like Foresight and Climate Ventures' Accelerate from Anywhere program have been instrumental in his entrepreneurial journey.Sean Hazaray is the co-founder and CEO of Haze Automotive. Haze Automotive is accelerating the adoption of environmentally friendly carbon fiber in the automotive industry. Sean has extensive experience helping automakers like Porsche and Subaru turn innovations into mass-market products. Sean has an engineering degree from the University of Michigan.Accelerate from Anywhere offers programs to help Canadian ventures at every stage of their journey, from ideation through to commercialization. Learn more: https://climateventures.org/program/afa/  Never miss an episode! Don't forget to subscribe to the Cleantech Forward podcast. Please share, rate, and review the podcast on iTunes, Google, or wherever you listen to podcasts.Cleantech Forward is supported by Gowling WLG.

This week on the Cleantech Forward Podcast, CEO and founder of Permalution, Tatiana Estevez Carlucci joins Foresight CEO Jeanette Jackson to discuss how her unique innovation harvests water from fog, introducing a new novel source of water into drought-prone and water-scarce regions. The two also discuss drawing inspiration from nature, being a woman CEO, and the importance of mentorship in the entrepreneurial journey. Tatiana Estevez Carlucci is the founder and CEO of Permalution. She has experience in government with international partnerships and Sustainable Cities, private sector experience as head of innovation for international corporations, project management experience for sustainability projects, and is a graduate of Foresight Canada and Climate Ventures' Accelerate from Anywhere program.Accelerate from Anywhere offers programs to help Canadian ventures at every stage of their journey, from ideation through to commercialization. Learn more: https://climateventures.org/program/afa/  Never miss an episode! Don't forget to subscribe to the Cleantech Forward podcast. Please share, rate, and review the podcast on iTunes, Google, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Cleantech Forward is supported by Gowling WLG.

This week, JF Gauthier, founder and CEO of Startup Genome, discusses some of the key findings from their 2022 Global Startup Ecosystem Report: Cleantech Edition alongside Foresight CEO, Jeanette Jackson. The two discuss why it was so important for Startup Genome to create a cleantech-specific version of the report, what it says about the global cleantech ecosystem, and what needs to be done to help innovators gain access to the essential ingredients that will allow them to scale their ventures.JF Gauthier is the CEO and founder of Startup Genome. He is a serial entrepreneur who has launched or led businesses in tech, life sciences, and cleantech. JF is a leading voice in innovation ecosystem development, having advised more than 100 governments and private-public partnerships across 35 countries.Never miss an episode! Don't forget to subscribe to the Cleantech Forward podcast. Please share, rate, and review the podcast on iTunes, Google, or wherever you listen to podcasts.Cleantech Forward is supported by Gowling WLG.

This week, Steve Liang, CTO of SensorUP, joins Foresight CEO Jeanette Jackson on the Cleantech Forward podcast. The two discuss Dr. Liang's work with Internet of Things (IoT), , and how he and his team at SensorUp are now using that technology to tackle climate change – using sensors and data to give businesses a clear picture of their emissions and where they can find efficiencies.Dr. Steve Liang is the CTO of SensorUP, and one of the world's foremost experts on the IoT, having authored international standards on how to interconnect the world's IoT data into a coherent system of systems. He is a professor and the IoT research chair at the University of Calgary, and the director of the GeoSensorWeb laboratory at the U of C.Never miss an episode! Don't forget to subscribe to the Cleantech Forward podcast. Please share, rate, and review the podcast on iTunes, Google, or wherever you listen to podcasts.Cleantech Forward is supported by Gowling WLG.

This week on the Cleantech Forward podcast, President of Invest Vancouver, David Flaks, joins Foresight CEO Jeanette Jackson on the Cleantech Forward Podcast to discuss the changing nature of economic development, Invest Vancouver's priorities for the Metro Vancouver Region, and how cleantech fits into that picture.David Flaks is the president of Invest Vancouver, Metro Vancouver's regional economic development leadership service. They work to advance economic development and opportunity in the Metro Vancouver region by attracting strategic investment, fostering collaboration, and conducting economic research and policy analysis.Never miss an episode! Don't forget to subscribe to the Cleantech Forward podcast. Please share, rate, and review the podcast on iTunes, Google, or wherever you listen to podcasts.Cleantech Forward is supported by Gowling WLG.

This week, Tamara Loiselle, CEO of Synergraze, joins Foresight CEO Jeanette Jackson on the Cleantech Forward podcast. The two discuss their Synergraze's fascinating algae-based biotechnology and how they are using it to help farmers reduce methane emissions from cattle. Tamara shares how she found her passion in the fight against climate change, and how she grew Synergraze from an idea to an award-winning agtech company.Tamara Loiselle is the CEO of Synergraze, an Alberta-based biotechnology company making a greenhouse gas-reducing supplement for cattle from algae. From a BC ranching family, Tamara graduated from the University of Alberta, Faculty of Agriculture in Environmental Science. With over 20 years experience, Tamara has been awarded a Queen's Diamond Jubilee medal for her environmental work with Indigenous communities and was named a TIME Magazine Hero Mom of the Year.Never miss an episode! Don't forget to subscribe to the Cleantech Forward podcast. Please share, rate, and review the podcast on iTunes, Google, or wherever you listen to podcasts.Cleantech Forward is supported by Gowling WLG.

This week, Tim Bailey, partner at Gowling WLG, joins Foresight CEO Jeanette Jackson on the podcast. The two discuss the state of carbontech innovation in Canada, what tools are available that can enable entrepreneurs to grow their businesses, and how that could impact the sector as a whole. Tune in to hear how carbontech innovation is helping Canada achieve its net zero goals.Tim Bailey is a partner at Gowling WLG's Calgary office, and the head of the firm's Intellectual Property Group in Calgary. He has been voted one of Canada's Best Lawyers three years in a row. Tim specializes in representing high tech, oil and gas, cleantech, pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients.Never miss an episode! Don't forget to subscribe to the Cleantech Forward podcast. Please share, rate, and review the podcast on iTunes, Google, or wherever you listen to podcasts.Cleantech Forward is supported by Gowling WLG.

This week Chris Reid, CEO of Ekona Power, and Brian Lee, award-winning patent attorney and partner at Gowling WLG, join Cleantech Forward to discuss the future of hydrogen technology, current barriers to mass hydrogen adoption, and the role IP protection plays in a competitive space like hydrogen.Chris Reid is the CEO of Ekona Power, and is a technology and business leader with 25 years of experience developing energy and hardware technology ventures. Chris has a M.A.Sc., University of Victoria, IESVIc, and a B.Sc., University of Manitoba, Mechanical Engineering.Brian Lee is a partner based in Gowling WLG's Vancouver office and co-manages the firm's Beijing office and China practice. He is the previous head of the Vancouver office's Intellectual Property Group and a previous co-chair of the office's Technology Industry Group. Brian is heavily involved in patenting clean energy technologies, particularly hydrogen and fuel cell technologies, and was previously in-house counsel at a local fuel cell company and a director of the Canadian Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association.Never miss an episode! Don't forget to subscribe to the Cleantech Forward podcast. Please share, rate, and review the podcast on iTunes, Google, or wherever you listen to podcasts.Cleantech Forward is supported by Gowling WLG.

On this special Mother's Day bonus episode, Foresight CEO Jeanette Jackson talks with her daughter, Jade Mitchell, about her journey into entrepreneurship, how technology has shaped her career, and how cleantech innovators are using their technologies to change the world. Happy Mother's Day! Jeanette Jackson, CEO of Foresight Canada, is an experienced CEO and entrepreneur with broad experience in strategy, innovation, business development, marketing, and operations. Jeanette has led Foresight's rapid growth, transforming a regional organization into Canada's largest cleantech accelerator. Since 2018, under her leadership, Foresight has expanded accelerator programs, built a vibrant Industry Innovation program, and launched a sectoral approach to accelerate cleantech innovation. Jeanette is a frequent speaker, media guest, and advisor to innovators, industry, investors and government.The Cleantech Forward podcast is supported by Gowling WLG.

This week on the Cleantech Forward podcast, Clir Renewables' Gareth Brown joins Foresight CEO Jeanette Jackson to discuss the pros and cons of lighthouse projects – projects that act as a model or guiding beacon for future developments – and what can be done to empower the free market to spark innovation.Gareth Brown is the CEO and co-founder of Clir Renewables. Clir Renewables accelerates renewable energy production, improves the economics of projects, and reduces human impact on the planet by further incentivizing the shift away from fossil fuels. Clir Renewables combines the world's largest renewable energy operational dataset with advanced software to give renewable energy professionals the insights and tools they need to assess and optimize wind and solar projects.The Cleantech Forward Podcast is supported by Gowling WLG.

On this special Earth Day episode of Cleantech Forward, Foresight VP Operations Elizabeth Thorsen interviews CEO Jeanette Jackson about how the meaning of Earth Day is changing in the face of increased pressure from climate change, how she plans to celebrate the day, and her reflections on her own journey into the cleantech sector.Jeanette Jackson, CEO of Foresight Canada, is an experienced CEO and entrepreneur with broad experience in strategy, innovation, business development, marketing, and operations. Jeanette has led Foresight's rapid growth, transforming a regional organization into Canada's largest cleantech accelerator. Since 2018, under her leadership, Foresight has expanded accelerator programs, built a vibrant Industry Innovation program, and launched a sectoral approach to accelerate cleantech innovation. Jeanette is a frequent speaker, media guest, and advisor to innovators, industry, investors and government.Elizabeth Thorsen has worked with start-up and scale-up businesses for nearly 10 years in the areas of investment and funding strategy, marketing and sales development, and growth planning. With experience in industries including digital media/ICT, CPG, finance, cleantech, and life sciences, Elizabeth specializes in working with cross-functional teams to distill complex opportunities into tangible and actionable strategic plans. She joined the Foresight team in August 2020 as Director of Development, and moved into the Director of Operations role shortly thereafter. Now, as VP Operations, she leads the MarComm, Events, Operations, and Finance teams.The Cleantech Forward podcast is supported by Gowling WLG.

Many investors want to see a plan to expand into international markets from Canadian companies. This week on Cleantech Forward, Roch Ripley and Paul Austin join the podcast to discuss those expectations, what entrepreneurs need to know before going global, and the various supports available to Canadian innovators.If you want to know how to grow from national to international, you won't want to miss this episode of Cleantech Forward.Paul Austin is a partner at Fort Capital, a Canadian independent investment banking advisory firm. At Fort Capital, Paul provides advisory services to entrepreneurs on raising private equity from institutional, corporate and family office venture capital, and government agencies. He specializes in climate technology commercialization, government funding, and strategic investor capital raising.Roch Ripley is a partner at Gowling WLG. He is the head of the Vancouver Intellectual Property Department, and a lawyer and patent agent. He has extensive experience providing strategic IP advice to Canadian SME cleantech ventures as they grow and scale their businesses, both domestically and internationally.The Cleantech Forward podcast is supported by Gowling WLG.

Delivering the perfect pitch could be all that stands between you and the capital you need to take your business to the next level.Join us on the Cleantech Forward podcast as Alex Ip, co-founder and Director of Partnerships at CERT Systems, joins our panel of investors to pitch CERT Systems' technology, get feedback, and find out how he can develop the perfect pitch. Alex Ip has extensive experience in research and development in the Sargent Group at the University of Toronto, one of the top nanotechnology labs in the world. At CERT, he leads a team of over 20 scientists in developing technology for CO2 utilization.Never miss an episode! Don't forget to subscribe to the Cleantech Forward podcast. Please share, rate, and review the podcast on iTunes, Google, or wherever you listen to podcasts. The Cleantech Forward Podcast is supported by Gowling WLG.

Today's youth are some of the most passionate climate advocates you will find, but also one of the most under-represented groups in the climate policy decision making process. Student Energy is working hard to change that. Join us this week on Cleantech Forward with Jeanette Jackson and the Executive Director of Student Energy, Meredith Adler. Student Energy is a global, youth-led organization focused on ushering in a future powered by clean energy, by educating, inspiring, and empowering the next generation of climate leaders.Meredith Adler oversees the strategy and operations of Student Energy as it continues to build a movement of students across the world committed to a sustainable energy future. Learn more about Student Energy and its network of passionate youth.Foresight's Community of Innovators is a network dedicated to those passionate about cleantech. It's free, and anyone can join.The Cleantech Forward Podcast is supported by Gowling WLG.

How can strong sectoral collaboration put Canada on the map as a leader in cleantech?This week, Jeanette Jackson is joined by Ifor Ffowcs-Williams, the founder of Cluster Navigators Ltd. Ifor is one of the founding fathers of cluster development as an economic strategy. In this episode, the duo discuss how a strong cluster can elevate Canada's status as a cleantech competitor globally, and provide long lasting economic stability within the industry.Ifor Ffowcs-Williams is the founder and CEO of Cluster Navigators Ltd. Since establishing Cluster Navigators in 1997, Ifor's focus has been on the practicalities of cluster development.  He leads strategy workshops around the world with economic development agencies, cluster groups and support organisations.Learn more about Cluster Navigators Ltd.Find out how Foresight's cluster initiatives are supporting Canada's cleantech ecosystem.The Cleantech Forward Podcast is supported by Gowling WLG.

What does the built environment look like in a net zero world? Find out on this week's episode of Cleantech Forward!Director of carbonNEXT Jason Switzer, Marty Reed of Evok Innovations, and Carly Anderson of Prime Movers Lab are joined by Scott Jenkins of ZS2 Technology. Scott pitches his technology to this panel of investors, and shares his thoughts on the barriers facing disruptive innovators, and his vision for the future of our built environment.Scott Jenkins is the CEO and co-founder of ZS2 Technologies. In that role, he works to accelerate the development and adoption of construction technologies which are stronger, safer and healthier for people and the planet.Learn more about the exciting technologies being developed by ZS2 Technologies.Cleantech Forward is supported by Gowling WLG.

Take a seat at the table as leading cleantech investors share their insights about impact investing. What are they looking for? What's the outlook for Canadian cleantech? What happens behind the scenes after a pitch meeting?In this episode of Cleantech Forward, carbonNEXT director Jason Switzer is joined by co-host Marty Reed of Evok Innovations, and Carly Anderson of Prime Movers Lab for a frank discussion about investing in cleantech. Find out more about Evok Innovations.See what projects Prime Movers Lab has its eyes on.Find out more about Canada's CCUS cluster at carbonNEXT.The Cleantech Forward podcast is supported by Gowling WLG.

How do you commercialize an idea? Step one: protect it. This week on Cleantech Forward Foresight CEO Jeanette Jackson is joined by Jeffrey Coles, an industry leading IP protection specialist and patent lawyer with Gowling WLG. Jeanette and Jeffrey discuss how protecting your intellectual property can remove barriers in the process of commercialization, common misconceptions about the process of protecting your IP, and what to do if you find yourself the target of a patent troll.Jeff Coles is a partner in Gowling WLG's Calgary office and a registered Canadian and United States patent agent. He has been assisting clients with securing patent protection for their innovations for over a decade.Learn more about the programs and projects at Foresight Canada.Find out how Gowling WLG is helping businesses like yours. The Cleantech Forward podcast is supported by Gowling WLG.

Raising capital is one of the hardest things for new ventures to do. This week, Planetary Hydrogen CEO Mike Kelland is the featured guest on Foresight Canada's Cleantech Forward podcast. Mike pitches his technology to a panel of expert investors: Jason Switzer, director of carbonNEXTMarty Reed of Evok InnovationsCarly Anderson of Prime Movers Lab The investors give Mike feedback on his pitch and discuss what venture capitalists want to see most from entrepreneurs. Don't miss this inside look on how to approach venture capitalists and secure funding for your company.Mike Kelland is the CEO of Planetary Hydrogen, a Nova Scotia-based company working to produce hydrogen via the traditional electrolysis of water. Launched in 2019, Planetary Hydrogen is working towards its goal of removing a gigaton of CO2 from the atmosphere annually by 2035.Foresight's Acceleration programs can help you get ready for your raising round. Learn more about the exciting technology Planetary Hydrogen is working on.The Cleantech Forward podcast is supported by Gowling WLG.

What does the first woman who rowed across the Atlantic do for her follow-up act? Find out this week on Cleantech Forward. Host Jeanette Jackson is joined by Open Ocean Robotics' co-founder and CEO Julie Angus. Julie and Jeanette discuss Julie's remarkable voyage rowing from Portugal to Costa Rica, how that journey sparked the idea to create autonomous sea-faring vessels to research, patrol, and explore one of the earth's most mysterious ecosystems - our oceans.Julie Angus is the CEO and cofounder of Open Ocean Robotics, a marine robotics, and data analytics company. She is a bestselling author, scientist, and explorer who received National Geographic's Adventurer of the Year award when she became the first woman to row across the Atlantic Ocean from mainland to mainland. Learn more about our Acceleration programs that are helping grow businesses like Julie's.Check out the exciting projects at Open Ocean Robotics.The Cleantech Forward podcast is supported by Gowling WLG.

This week on Cleantech Forward, Foresight CEO Jeanette Jackson is joined by ecobee founder and CEO Stuart Lombard. The duo discuss the importance of perseverance in entrepreneurship, growing ecobee from the inception of an idea to a company that employs more than 500 people, and the recent $770 million acquisition of ecobee by Generac.Cleantech Forward podcast host Jeanette Jackson is an experienced CEO and entrepreneur with broad experience in technology, business development, marketing, and operations. As the CEO of Foresight, Jeanette has led rapid growth, transforming a regional organization into Canada's cleantech ecosystem accelerator. Since 2018, under her leadership, Foresight has expanded accelerator programs from one province to four, built a vibrant Innovation Challenge program, and launched a sectoral approach to accelerator cleantech innovation. Jeanette is a frequent speaker, media guest, and advisor to industry and government.  Stuart Lombard is the founder and CEO of ecobee. Stuart launched ecobee to help consumers conserve energy, save money, and reduce their environmental footprint. Ecobee is a Canadian home automation company that makes smart thermostats, temperature and occupancy sensors, smart light switches, smart cameras, and contact sensors. Never miss an episode! Don't forget to subscribe to the Cleantech Forward podcast. Please share, rate, and review the podcast on iTunes and Spotify.

Listen up! Join us Wednesday, January 12 for the first episode of our Cleantech Forward podcast. Subscribe wherever you find your podcasts.