The Alberta Clean Technology Industry Association (ACTia) has joined forces with Foresight Cleantech Accelerator Centre to lead the transition to a green economy and position Canada as a global leader in cleantech. ACTia will be known as Foresight Alberta as of September 2021.

This combination of organizations is a natural evolution of a close working relationship between the two groups over several years. Foresight began supporting Alberta’s cleantech work in 2016 through our ARCTIC Program, a series of innovation challenges for the oil and gas sector.  In 2019, Foresight scaled activities by supporting cleantech ventures through accelerator programming, mentorship, and other activities related to access to capital and exports in partnership with Platform Calgary and TEC Edmonton.  In 2020, ACTia and Foresight partnered on investor matchmaking events, the first Alberta Cleantech Investment Summit, and international carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) and hydrogen venture showcases. 

“We have developed tremendous respect for ACTia’s work, expertise, and connections,” says Jeanette Jackson. “This closer partnership extends Foresight’s reach in Alberta, and expands programs, resources and networks for ACTia’s community.  Industry and investors do not have borders.  Canada’s cleantech ecosystems need to collaborate like never before if we are to reach 2030 and beyond climate targets”

“ACTia was established to make Alberta a global cleantech leader,” says Jason Switzer. “As part of the Foresight family, we will combine our track record for mobilizing capital and customers on behalf of our province’s innovators with Foresight’s proven models for venture acceleration and industry-led innovation challenges. To help Canadian cleantech get to global scale, we all need to work together.”

ACTia’s staff will become Foresight’s team in Alberta, with additional positions currently being recruited. Jason Switzer is taking on the role of Senior VP Growth and Capital at Foresight Canada. Sydney Kjellander will become Director of Foresight Alberta.