BC Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy relaunches as NorthX Climate Tech

The BC Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy (CICE) has rebranded as NorthX Climate Tech, expanding its mandate and introducing new investment tools to support the growth of Canada’s climate technology sector.

Originally launched in 2021 with support from the Government of British Columbia, the Government of Canada, and Shell Canada, the Centre focused on accelerating innovation in four key areas: energy storage, low-carbon hydrogen, low-carbon fuels, and carbon management. Since then, it has supported 65 projects and contributed to the creation of more than 800 jobs, according to the organization.

Under the new NorthX name, the organization says it will take a broader approach—supporting a wider range of “climate hard tech” solutions, including infrastructure, industrial systems, and materials-based innovations.

“Breakthroughs don’t always fit neatly into categories,” said NorthX president and CEO Sarah Goodman in a statement announcing the change. “We’re evolving, broadening our focus to back the best climate hard tech innovations, period.”

In addition to its name change, NorthX is introducing new forms of financial support. The organization will now offer repayable, non-dilutive investments alongside its existing grant-based funding. It also plans to increase follow-on investments in companies that are scaling up. The goal, according to NorthX, is to fill critical capital gaps and help more Canadian companies bring climate technologies to market.

The new name is intended to reflect the organization’s national ambitions. “North” references Canadian leadership, while “X” symbolizes a pivotal stage in the innovation process, the group said in its announcement.

Though based in British Columbia, NorthX positions itself as a national platform supporting the commercialization of climate technologies that can be deployed both domestically and globally. Its updated strategy places an emphasis on practical, scalable solutions to emissions reduction, particularly those requiring significant infrastructure or industrial deployment.

More information about NorthX’s updated programs and investment approach is expected to follow in the coming months.