At Paradise Point Resort in San Diego, sunny skies set the scene for three days of discussion on the state of cleantech at Cleantech Forum North America (January 26–28, 2026). The event wasn’t about presentations or slides; it was about conversation, connection, and understanding where cleantech is really heading. The conference confirmed a major shift in discourse from “how do we innovate?” to “where do we scale?”

With a small-cap, growth-friendly market for cleantech companies, and earlier access to capital, liquidity, and visibility, the international cleantech world is realizing what we’ve known all along.

“My big takeaway was that Canada has emerged as the clear strategic answer for companies looking for a stable yet high-growth North American launchpad,” said David Sanguinetti, Interim CEO at Foresight Canada, who was on the ground in San Diego last week. “Canada offers a unique combination of market access, operational support, and global connectivity—making it a compelling choice for cleantech ventures looking to expand internationally.”

As US markets tighten, Canada remains intentionally supportive of growth-stage companies, positioning itself as a stepping stone toward global scale.

Key sessions discussed where cleantech is headed, making it clear that the cleantech landscape has moved past innovation for innovation’s sake. Investors aren’t looking for vanity pilots; they are looking for immediate, measurable demand. Capital has moved beyond promising breakthrough technologies toward solutions that address mission-critical needs in today’s global economy.

A recurring theme among US and international delegates was that sovereignty, supply chain security, and “speed to scale” are the new priorities. The focus has shifted to where demand is highest and the “green premium” is lowest.

Here are the key sectors and trends defining the roadmap this year:

Foresight’s panel session, “Why Canada is the Strategic Destination for International Cleantech Expansion” brought together partners of the Canadian Cleantech Gateway Delegation, including Karim Khamisa (Calgary Economic Development), Heather Stephens (Emissions Reduction Alberta), Mark Longo (Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP), and Eric Cook (PEI Bioalliance)—all representing perspectives from across Canada. The panel highlighted Canada’s strengths, alongside areas of opportunity for cleantech companies:

Another recurring theme throughout the conference was solving the “death by pilot” problem—the phase where technology works, but support drops off just as a company tries to scale.

“The consensus was clear: the solution isn’t simply more funding; it’s about assembling coalitions of the willing,” says Sanguinetti. “Canada has mastered this by bringing together banks, insurers, utilities, and offtakers to collectively de-risk First-of-a-Kind (FOAK) projects.”

This deep ecosystem support—ranging from Foresight’s specialized business services and investor introductions to pilot funding from local economic development agencies—ensures that ventures don't just land in Canada; they have the structural partnerships needed to validate their models and prepare for global expansion.

While the conference highlighted Canada’s strengths, it also noted its barriers and how these can be seen as opportunities. Also on the ground at the Forum, Foresight’s Director of Events, Astrid Nunez, observed that Canada’s constraints often foster better businesses. As she put it: “The Canadian market may be smaller and risk-averse, but that’s an advantage. Startups learn to think globally early, design for export, and crowd in commercial partners.” With coordinated ecosystem support, first projects in Canada become proof points that unlock US, European, and international markets. In fact, 30–35% of Canadian venture capital now comes from international funds. This means deal structures already mirror US norms, making cross-border investing and scaling nearly seamless for international firms.

Cleantech Forum North America made one thing clear: we’ve moved past the innovation phase and into the urgency of execution phase. The three days in San Diego were a massive catalyst for the tough conversations that matter right now—specifically around supply chain security and the speed required to scale.

The lesson: “Canada isn’t just a place to test technology—it’s a place to build scalable solutions,” Sanguinetti said. “Foresight and our partners are here to help ventures navigate that journey.”