Earth Tech 2020: An impact-driven cohort of 16 cleantech ventures
Recent bush fires, floods, and heatwaves around the globe have underlined the importance of fighting climate change. The question is not if, but how. And while individual and collective actions will be essential to curbing our carbon emissions, they’re only part of the puzzle. To build a vibrant low-carbon economy, we’ll need new and better tech that supports the needs of a growing population while preserving the environment.
This need for improved green technology is why the bullfrogpowered community is sponsoring Earth Tech, an accelerator by the Centre for Social Innovation (CSI)’s Climate Ventures, with education and coaching provided by the Social Innovation Institute. This tech accelerator is for nonprofits and startups with the potential to make positive, significant impacts on communities and ecosystems across Canada. The 2020 Earth Tech cohort, divided into climate and freshwater streams, is working on everything from tree-planting drones to user-friendly water testing kits.
Climate:
These participants worked closely with Entrepreneurs-in-Residence and advisors from Bullfrog Power and fellow partners RBC Foundation, Vancity Community Investment Bank (VCIB), and WWF-Canada to accelerate their climate change and freshwater solutions. They also had access to workspace, workshops, networking and investment opportunities, and marketing tools to help amplify their message.
Over the course of the program, the ventures earned and raised $4 million and created 31% more jobs compared with the start of the program. They also established 116 partnerships and ran 47 pilots.
“Technology is a tool that, when deployed carefully, respectfully and with purpose, can help address many of the environmental challenges that we face,” said CSI’s Director of Programs Barnabe Geis. “Technology can improve on existing solutions or be a part of new innovations to help give rise to the Next Economy, one that is regenerative, equitable and prosperous for all.”
Sponsoring community-based environmental initiatives has always been a crucial part of Bullfrog’s identity. With Earth Tech, we’re excited to support cutting-edge, scalable initiatives with the potential to help all Canadians by fighting climate change and protecting our freshwater sources.
This year’s cohort has had plenty of intriguing ideas—including furniture that feeds you, recirculating showers, and community-funded geothermal heating and cooling systems. We can’t wait to see what they accomplish next.
You can learn more about Earth Tech and the ventures here, or keep an eye on Bullfrog’s blog for the latest news.