Thirteen climate tech companies have collectively received $7.7 million in funding from the B.C. Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy (CICE) — which provides early-stage, non-dilutive investment to accelerate the commercialization of the province’s most impactful clean energy solutions.

The recipients received backing through two of CICE’s initiatives to foster innovation across the province. In May this year, the organization issued a call for projects that advance wildfire management solutions, and in June it asked for products focused on low-carbon hydrogen, battery technologies, energy storage, and low-carbon synthetic fuels.

“We’re on a mission to fast-track the commercialization of B.C.’s most promising climate solutions,” said Sarah Goodman, president and CEO of CICE. “A critical part of that is supporting innovators when they need it most, so they ultimately deliver those impactful solutions to the world while creating economic benefits for B.C. and Canada.”

Among the wildfire tech innovations, CICE has invested a total of $3.5 million into six of the 74 ventures that applied.

The companies are Crwn.ai, which predicts risks on the most remote transmission lines by leveraging AI; FireSwarm, which uses drone swarms to detect, map, and battle fires with precision and speed; and Nova, which provides real-time mapping with infrared scanning and machine learning. Also receiving investment are Skyward, which uses lightning suppression technology to prevent and mitigate threats; Voxelis Canada, which is working on deploying firefighting helicopters equipped with AI and sensor technology; and Wildfire Robotics, which enhances perimeter control and risk-reduction burning.

For the innovations targeting energy solutions, CICE invested a total of $4.2 million into seven of the 79 ventures that applied.

Edison Motors, which is developing the world’s first EV tri-blade snowplow, will take home a portion of the money, as well as Noram Electrolysis Systems, which enables the manufacturing of lithium batteries through circular processing; AlgaFilm, which produces clean water and sustainable biofuels using algae; and NanosTech Environmental, which validates a catalyst to convert agriculture and forestry-based oils into low-carbon fuels. The final companies to receive investment are Ekona Power, which transforms carbon waste into catalysts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; Quantum Technology, which eliminates hydrogen loss during storage and transfers; and Unilia, which boosts hydrogen fuel efficiency, durability, and performance for EVs.

CICE is now seeking projects focused on commercializing scalable electricity storage and grid solutions. In partnership with Crown corporation BC Hydro, the organization will provide up to $3 million in funding for selected projects. Applications will be accepted until February 28, 2025.

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