A new interactive map of Canada’s water ecosystem is now available showcasing Canadian water technologies & solutions.
Vancouver, CANADA – December 8, 2020 — Foresight Cleantech Accelerator Centre (Foresight), Aqua Forum and International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) announced today the release of the waterNEXT water ecosystem map - a data-driven, searchable map of Canada’s water organizations, companies and solution providers.
“Access to data and sharing information resources is crucial to driving growth and innovation in water technologies, and positioning Canada as a leader in the global water market expected to reach $914.9 billion in the next two years. This map allows researchers and innovators to find opportunities and explore regional and specialized clusters of watertech expertise and activity across Canada” said Jeanette Jackson, CEO of Foresight.
“Mapping the water tech sector will enable all of us within it to maximize our collective resources and efforts. For Aqua Forum, knowing what lies ahead for the young water entrepreneurs that come through the AquaHacking Challenge means we can better support their needs with augmented programming to complement what already exists in the broader ecosystem. This will also be invaluable to the AquaHacking alumni from across the country as they enter the market with their early-stage start-ups,” said Kariann Aarup, Director of the AquaHacking Challenge.
“Collaboration is essential to protecting Canada’s precious freshwater resources,” said Matthew McCandless, Executive Director, IISD Experimental Lakes Area. “In our country’s burgeoning WaterTech sector, no one company or research organization can work alone to meet all the challenges.”
“That is why IISD is proud to be collaborating with companies across various sectors to improve understanding of fresh water and to develop new technologies to manage these resources—all the more urgent given our changing climate and human-made pollution.”
waterNEXT Ecosystem Map - Exploring Water Innovation in Canada
The map includes 400 companies and organizations working in Canada’s watertech space. The database includes companies taking innovative new approaches to water technology, institutions focused on water research, policy development and environmental advocacy, and networks, accelerators and funders in the water sector. For more information about the map data, visit:
https://foresightcac.com/waternext-ecosystem-map/
Upcoming Events
- January 2021: Western Canada AquaHacking Challenge Launch, for more info, visit: https://aquahacking.com/en/westerncanada2021/
- January 20, 2021: Rivière des Mille Îles AquaHacking Challenge Launch, for more info visit: https://aquahacking.com/fr/rdmi2021/
- January 19-21, 2021 - Commercial and Industrial Wastewater - The Innovators Helping to Plan and Manage Water Scarcity at Cleantech Forum, San Francisco, for more info, visit:
https://www.cleantech.com/event/cleantech-forum-sf/
To explore the waterNEXT Ecosystem Map, visit: https://foresightcac.com/waternext-ecosystem-map/
About Foresight Cleantech Accelerator Centre
Foresight is Western Canada’s Cleantech Innovation Centre. Foresight supports the identification and validation of cleantech opportunities and the successful commercialization of solutions. We bring together industry, government, academia, and technologists to innovate and enable a responsible, more sustainable tomorrow. Find out more at www.foresightcac.com and follow on Twitter @ForesightCAC.
About waterNEXT
The waterNEXT cluster brings together water technology innovators from across Canada to accelerate the growth and adoption of Canadian cleantech water companies domestically and abroad. waterNEXT offers members direct access to globally recognized water experts in business and technology, leveraging Foresight’s industry-leading accelerator programming and market-driven innovation initiatives. waterNEXT is powered by Foresight, and offered in partnership with WaterSMART Canada. Find out more at foresightcac.com/sme-programs/water/
About Aqua Forum
Aqua Forum is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness of water issues among Canadians. Its flagship program, the AquaHacking Challenge, is an innovative competition that engages young Canadians in developing entrepreneurial skills and creating tech solutions to address freshwater issues. Since 2015 and from 8 editions of the Challenge, 28 startups have been established from the Challenge and continue to be active to this day. Find out more at https://aquahacking.com/en/ and follow us on social media @AquaHacking.
About International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)
The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) is an award-winning independent think tank working to create a world where people and the planet thrive. Our mission is to accelerate solutions for a stable climate, sustainable resources, and fair economies. We shine a light on what can be achieved when governments, the private sector, NGOs, and communities come together to share knowledge, commit to change, and build resilience. With offices in Geneva, Ottawa, Toronto and Winnipeg, our research spans the globe. Find out more at: https://www.iisd.org/
