INNOVATION CHALLENGES
Connecting industry with the world’s best clean technologies.
From agriculture to water to oil and gas, our Challenge program works to connect end-users with cleantech solutions to overcome sustainability and operational hurdles.
Connecting Solutions with End-Users
With a proven track record that delivers results, our Challenges have connected Canadian innovators with national and international buyers in over 60 problem-driven challenges, driving efficiency, profitability, and environmental sustainability in the operations of industry giants.
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![Wheaton Precious Metals Future of Mining Challenge]()
Open Wheaton Precious Metals Future of Mining Challenge This year, USD $1 million will be awarded to a solution that targets the reduction of greenhouse gases and carbon intensity at base and precious metals mines, with funds being used to help further advance the technology. Presented By: ![Wheaton Precious Metals]()
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![CMPC: Understanding Our Trees Challenge]()
Completed ![bioNEXT Challenges]()
CMPC: Understanding Our Trees Challenge CMPC sought innovative solutions to measure moisture and density in trees, logs, chips and biomass to improve their manufacturing process. Presented By: ![CMPC]()
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![Canadian Space Agency: Aqualunar Challenge]()
Completed ![waterNEXT Challenges]()
Canadian Space Agency: Aqualunar Challenge The Canadian Space Agency sought powerful water technologies that could be used to purify lunar water, enabling future space missions. Presented By: ![Canadian Space Agency]()
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![IFAO: Sustainable Agtech for Profitability Challenge]()
Completed ![agriNEXT Challenges]()
IFAO: Sustainable Agtech for Profitability Challenge IFAO sought innovative agtech solutions that improve decision-making and analysis of field crop farmers' operations, enabling optimized soil health, biodiversity, and profitability. Presented By: ![Innovative Farmer's Association of Ontario]()
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![BCNZIN: Building BC's Low-Carbon Economy Challenge]()
Completed ![BCNZIN Challenges]()
BCNZIN: Building BC's Low-Carbon Economy Challenge Foresight's British Columbia Net Zero Innovation Network (BCNZIN) sought innovative solutions to support BC’s transition to a low-carbon economy and achieve the province’s climate goals. Learn More -
![FortisBC: Compact Carbon Capture Challenge]()
Completed ![carbonNEXT Challenges]()
FortisBC: Compact Carbon Capture Challenge FortisBC sought solutions for capturing relatively small amounts of CO2 from a variety of geographic areas within Canada to use or sequester. Learn More -
![COSIA: Low Energy Water Treatment Technology Challenge]()
Completed ![waterNEXT Challenges]()
COSIA: Low Energy Water Treatment Technology Challenge Canada’s Oil Sands Innovation Alliance and the University of Alberta were looking for innovative solutions for the treatment of dissolved organic compounds present in Oil Sands Process Water. Learn More -
![CMPC: Low Water, Blue Stain-Free Wood Challenge]()
Completed ![bioNEXT Challenges]()
CMPC: Low Water, Blue Stain-Free Wood Challenge CMPC was looking for solutions to help fight the blue staining in wood caused by the Ceratocystis Pilífera fungus. Learn More -
![SDG Connect | Sasol Challenge: DAC to the Future]()
Completed ![carbonNEXT Challenges]()
SDG Connect | Sasol Challenge: DAC to the Future Sasol was looking for innovative, cost-effective DAC technologies that would enable the implementation of DAC and integration into the feedstock value chain at their Secunda facilities. Presented By: ![SDG Connect]()
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"We are delighted that the Challenge identified technologies that can reduce our water usage while maintaining the high quality of our products."
Sebastián Corthorn, CMPC, Innovation Challenge Client
Finding the Right Solution
With so many potential technology solutions out there, finding the one that meets the unique requirements of your climate & environmental challenges can be costly, time consuming and risky. We've worked with industry giants to source, validate, share, and implement cleantech solutions.
Novion had the opportunity to partner with the City of Vancouver to design and deliver our Climate Intelligence Platform. With this powerful tool, cities can now effectively design, plan, monitor, and manage their green stormwater infrastructure and mitigate issues like urban flooding while improving water quality.
John Nguyen, Founder - Operations Lead, Novion
Five Steps to Finding the Right Solutions
Discover
Work with you to identify need and goals
Recruit
Recruit solutions from across Canada or worldwide
Evaluate
Independent evaluation of potential solutions with readiness assessment to create a shortlist
Select
Final selection of top solution(s) for award or further examination
Implement
If required, assist with technology support, trials, or implementation
Options for Every Need, Budget, and Timeline
Specific
A fast, inexpensive solution to understanding the technology state-of-play for your specific needs and scope.
Standing
An ongoing supported and curated innovation stream to constantly source solutions as they arise in your areas of need.
Medium
A scaled-up version of the specific call that includes independent third party expert scoping and evaluation.
Large
A specific ‘at-scale’ challenge to source global solutions. Includes independent fairness monitor, third-party scoping and evaluation, a dedicated team and marketing campaign, and an optional pathway to pilot or implementation.
"[This Challenge was] an important step to meeting Imperial's GHG reduction goals, and that's an important step on our journey to net zero."
Ryan McKendrick, Imperial Oil, Innovation Challenge Client
Case Studies
Seeking seismic technologies that reduce environmental impacts of oil sands exploration.
Solutions:
- Full Force Geophysical Ltd.'s electromechanical vibrators
- OptiSeis Solutions Ltd.'s seismic acquisition method
- Halliburton and Strat-Log Inc.'s fiber optic sensing technologies (Honourable Mention)
Seeking solutions to create the next generation of fully recyclable blades for their wind turbines.
Solutions:
- ZILA Works' hemp-derived bio-epoxy resin
- Pointsource Processing's advanced environmental extraction process
Get New Challenge Notifications
Foresight also offers the SDG Connect Challenge service. We connect Canadian businesses to global market opportunities by running innovation Challenges with international partners and local companies looking to overcome barriers to sustainability. There's no cost to companies other than their time. Each challenge takes five months to complete.