The results are in!
After a rigorous review of over 130 impressive nominations, finalists have been chosen for our fifth annual BC Cleantech Awards! Representing sectors and regions from across the province, these innovators, industry leaders, government officials, investors, and academics are the cream of the BC cleantech crop. Their tireless efforts to advance the development and adoption of critical climate solutions are putting BC on the map as a leader in cleantech innovation and establishing the province as a key player on the path to net zero.
We’ll be celebrating the amazing accomplishments of these individuals and groups at a live event in Vancouver, BC on March 27, 2024.
The 2024 BC Cleantech Awards are presented by Foresight Canada, the BC Net Zero Innovation Network and KPMG, with support from Backstretch Recruitment Group, BFL Canada, Bonsai Growth, and Fasken.
BC Cleantech Awards Finalists
1
Startup of the Year (Group)
An emerging cleantech venture actively growing and already creating impact in their field.
- Arca
- Ideon Technologies
- Plantee Bioplastics
- Daanaa
- Lite-1 Microbial Dye
2
Scaling Venture of the Year (Group)
A cleantech venture positioned to take a leadership role on the global innovation stage.
- Circular Rubber
- Lucent Bio
- Oxygen8
- RainStick
- Intelligent City
3
Community Advocate of the Year (Individual)
A mentor offering invaluable guidance, advice, or support to cleantech entrepreneurs.
- Tristan Gale, Malahat Nation
- Erin Robinson, City of Quesnel
- Janna Wale, Canadian Climate Institute
- Peter Bradshaw
- Robert Safrata, Coast to Coast Experiences
4
Ecosystem Supporter of the Year (Group)
An organization championing the growth and development of cleantech in BC through programs, ecosystem development, thought leadership, and community building.
- Aqua Action
- Creative Destruction Lab
- Centre for Climate and Business Solutions at UBC Sauder
- University of Northern British Columbia
- Invest Vancouver
5
Corporate Pioneer of the Year (Group)
A large organization or company adopting, championing, or leading sustainable practices in their industry.
- BC Hydro
- EY
- Teck
6
Investor of the Year (Individual)
An angel investor or VC championing a net zero economy by investing in cleantech ventures.
- Sarah Applebaum, Pangaea Ventures
- Val Chiykowski, Evok Innovations
- Tom Boddez, Active Impact Investments
- Jack Chang, Fort Capital
7
Funder of the Year (Group)
An organization or individual offering capital support or funding to support cleantech ventures as they grow and scale.
- FrontFundr
- Forest Enhancement Society of BC
- ETSI- BC
- CICE
- Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) Fund
8
Training Institution of the Year (Group)
An educational institution leading or championing research, programming, and upskilling that will enable a net zero future.
- School of Sustainable Energy Engineering at SFU
- Northern Analytical Lab Services at UNBC
- MEL CEEN Program at UBC
- UBC Master of Food and Resource Economics (MFRE)
9
Educator of the Year (Individual)
A professor, academic leader, or post-secondary instructor taking an innovative approach to education for the climate economy.
- Christina Hoicka, University of Victoria
- Justin Bull, UBC Sauder School of Business
- Walter Merida, Merida Labs
- Hossein Kazemian, University of Northern British Columbia
- Vikramaditya Yadav, University of British Columbia
10
Government Champion of the Year (Individual)
A local or provincial government official using policy, advocacy, or funding to move the province towards net zero.
- Kym Thrift, Innovative Clean Energy Fund at Government of BC - Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation (EMLI)
- Joy Shi, Export Services at Government of BC - Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation (JEDI)
- David Tsui, PacifiCan
- Josie Osborne, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation (EMLI)
- Gustavo Oliveira, Innovation, Bioeconomy and Indigenous Opportunities at Government of British Columbia
About the BC Cleantech Awards
Since 2020, Foresight has been working with partners across the province to celebrate the impact of BC-based cleantech entrepreneurs and champions through the BC Cleantech Awards. This yearly event is an opportunity to bring British Columbia’s thriving cleantech ecosystem together to connect and inspire innovation and leadership on the path to net zero.
From innovative cleantech ventures, to professors and policymakers, the BC Cleantech Awards aim to shine a light on a wide variety of climate leaders throughout BC.
Previous winners include: Kanaka Bar Indian Band for their outstanding community impact, TELUS Pollinator Fund for its continued investment into a sustainable future, the BC Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy for its commitment to growing the province’s cleantech ecosystem, Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, for his leadership towards Canada’s green transition, as well as HTEC, Svante, Moment Energy, and many other inspiring startup and scaling ventures that are moving the needle to net zero.
Explore past winners:
The 2024 BC Cleantech Awards are presented by Foresight Canada, the BC Net Zero Innovation Network and KPMG, with support from Backstretch Recruitment Group, BFL Canada, Bonsai Growth, and Fasken.
