Jeanette Jackson
CEO of Foresight Canada
As communities around the globe experience a seemingly endless and worsening stream of climate-related disasters, the urgent need for innovative climate solutions has become all too clear. But there’s hope.
As communities around the globe experience a seemingly endless and worsening stream of climate-related disasters, the urgent need for innovative climate solutions has become all too clear. But there’s hope. Canadian innovators are stepping up to the challenge, and international investors, customers, and industry partners should start turning their attention to powerhouse cleantech ventures like those on Foresight Canada’s recently released Foresight 50 list.
This second annual Foresight 50 list recognizes Canada’s 50 most investable cleantech ventures that are moving the needle to net zero. From direct lithium extraction to the treatment of industrial wastewater to climate-positive fertilizers, the Foresight 50 ventures span critical sectors like energy, water, agriculture, built environment, transportation, carbon capture, natural resources, and more. We’re certain they’re going to change the world.
Why we’re so confident
As Canada’s cleantech accelerator, Foresight has been supporting entrepreneurs in their journey from ideation to commercialization since 2013. We have supported almost 900 Canadian cleantech ventures that have gone on to create more than 7,150 green jobs, raise over $1.3 billion in capital support, and generate more than $2 billion in economic impact.
Our team has a front-row seat to the development of ground-breaking cleantech solutions and has been working with brilliant innovators long enough to know that Canada is set to become a cleantech leader on the global stage.
This year’s Foresight 50 were selected from over 150 impressive applications by a panel of independent investors and cleantech community partners based on criteria including potential environmental impact, overall investability, and probability of success. Narrowing down the list was no easy task, but by looking at these 50 ventures alone, it is clear that Canada has the skills, expertise, and motivation to lead the global transition to a green economy.
The main barrier to growth
To scale their critical climate solutions, Canadian cleantech ventures need more access to capital, both domestically and internationally. In a 2021 national survey, Canadian cleantech innovators identified raising capital as one of their main barriers to growth. To attract this capital, companies need to gain the attention of international investors with the resources to propel their ventures forward.
The Foresight 50 initiative bridges this gap by bringing attention to Canada’s most promising cleantech ventures while directly connecting these companies with potential investors, customers, and partners. 2021 Foresight 50 ventures raised $593 million to amplify their solutions. The 2022 Foresight 50 have already secured over 100 investor meetings, with more activities planned in early 2023 to further grow their impact.
By fostering meaningful relationships with key stakeholders, Foresight 50 ventures are gaining the traction they need to raise more capital, scale their climate solutions faster, and lead the green transition.
Big solutions equal big returns
The climate crisis is perhaps the single greatest challenge the world is facing today. Investing in and deploying cleantech solutions is not just an opportunity; it’s a necessity — and for those who recognize the critical nature of these climate solutions, there is potential for immense gain. Canada’s cleantech sector remains undercapitalized compared to other markets, providing exceptional opportunities for lead investors and early movers ready to deploy capital.
Recent studies have shown that Canada is warming at twice the rate of the rest of the world, and globally we see the effects of climate change increasingly in our daily lives. Therefore, it’s critical that we collectively prioritize accelerating the innovative solutions that can mitigate the worst effects of climate change.
The Foresight 50 is a great place for international investors, customers, and industry partners to start investing in Canadian cleantech. And for the average consumer, there’s the opportunity to invest with your dollars in environmentally conscious Canadian goods and services. With more access to capital, Canadian cleantech solutions could mitigate the worst effects of climate change and create a more livable future for generations to come, and that’s a future we can’t wait to see.
