From local beginnings to global impact

When Foresight Canada launched in 2013 with the support of BCIC, now Innovate BC, and the National Research Council, it was a small organization with only one full-time employee, and focused exclusively on in-person support for BC-based entrepreneurs. Fast forward 11 years, Foresight has transformed into a globally connected accelerator, driving sustainable innovation across major industries worldwide, and offering low-cost, virtual acceleration support to ventures across Canada.

From its humble beginnings in Vancouver, Foresight has scaled rapidly, embracing the startup journey and overcoming numerous challenges. Today, the non-profit has nearly 50 full-time employees nationwide, and stands as a key connector in the cleantech sector, multiplying the economic and environmental impact of clean technology.

Since its inception, Foresight has supported over 1,210 ventures to create more than 8,560 high-paying jobs and raise $1.74 billion in capital. Their ventures have generated $504 million in revenue with the support of an advisory network 270 strong, fostering a robust network of collaboration, perseverance, and resilience.

And they practise what they preach. 

Amidst a backdrop of environmental and economic challenges, Foresight remains steadfast in their key driver: economic and environmental prosperity for Canada. This laser focus has allowed them to see opportunities where others see obstacles, creating roadmaps and opportunities that are enabling a brighter, more prosperous future, powered by Canadian cleantech. 

Over the past three years, Foresight has worked tirelessly to make Canada the first G7 nation to reach net zero. This mission became a rallying cry for innovators, policymakers, investors, and adopters, setting many high impact projects and partnerships in motion. 

But while Canada has made progress with its own net zero goals, other G7 nations have rapidly deployed their own effective climate-centric policies and are leading the green transition. 

True to their startup roots, Foresight didn’t give up. They pivoted, and are now throwing their weight behind an even more impactful goal: In the next three years, Foresight aims to accelerate the adoption of the world’s best clean technologies, which they unequivocally believe to be Canadian technologies. 

Having run more than 60 innovation challenges in every sector from agriculture to water to oil and gas, Foresight is connecting climate tech with climate champions to deploy Canadian technologies in the operations of international companies like Wheaton Precious Metals, CMPC, Vestas, United Utilities, Exxaro, and more.

From a one-office operation in Greater Vancouver to international innovation partnerships, Foresight is a prime example of Canadians punching above their weight-class. While there is still much work to do to achieve a net-zero economy, Foresight is excited to share their progress and invite you to read about their path forward in their annual report. They hope you’ll join them in their fight for a more sustainable and prosperous future economy.

Read the full annual report here.