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Breakthrough Energy Solutions Canada

Breakthrough Energy Solutions Canada banner

break·through /ˈbrākˌTHro͞o/ : a sudden, dramatic, and important discovery or development.

NOTICE: This program is no longer accepting applications as of September 11, 2019. Thank you to all that applied. Twenty-two finalists from across Canada were selected through a rigorous competitive process, and came together on January 14, 2022 to pitch their clean energy solutions. Congratulations to all who participated and to the 10 Winners!

Program background

Launched at CEM10/MI-4, on May 27, 2019, this program aims to support Canadian entrepreneurs and firms to advance clean energy technologies which could significantly reduce global GHG emissions in the following areas:

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Manufacturing

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Electricity

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Transportation

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Buildings

Collaboration and partnerships

Collaboration can increase the impact of clean energy investments and enhance the pace and scale of the adoption of clean energy technology. In partnership with Breakthrough Energy Ventures (BEV) and the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), this Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) led call for proposals will leverage financing and expertise to support the advancement of Canadian clean energy technologies that can significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

BESC In the Spotlight

What does success look like?

This program makes available a total initial investment of up to $40M for breakthrough energy technologies. It is also a unique opportunity for Canadian entrepreneurs and start-ups to access potential funding and valuable insight from private investors, like BEV and BDC. The successful cohort of companies will have the opportunity to attend annual “accelerator events”, where they can showcase their innovations to investors like BEV and BDC for the opportunity to be considered for additional private investment.

The first accelerator event was held December 8th and 9th in 2020 virtual fashion, and included panel discussions and information sharing between the cohort, NRCan, our partners from BDC and BEV, as well as business experts and clean energy entrepreneurs from Amazon, Export Development Canada (EDC), Standards Council of Canada (SCC), Westport Fuel Systems, Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) and Third Derivative.

The second accelerator event was held October 13th in 2021 virtual fashion, and was an opportunity for the companies to pitch to an audience of investors and other partners about their company and technology development since the beginning of the program. This event had the aim of increasing awareness of the BESC cohort of Companies for them to attract additional investment and partners.

Between accelerator events, the cohort has remained engaged with each other to identify shared challenges and offer peer-to-peer guidance in support of company growth. To compliment this support, the program has initiated a series of BESC Expert Sessions, which brings in subject matter experts and experienced professionals to mentor cohort companies on identified issues of interest. To date, sessions have focused on fundraising and company valuation (in partnership with the Canadian Venture Capital Association), human resources best practices for high-growth companies, project financing considerations, and taking companies public. Additional session are being developed.

Resources

 

Integro secured funding portal

 

Clean Growth Collaboration Community Join Now!

 

Current Investments - Projects supported by the EIP and other funding programs

Contact us

Email the Energy Innovation Program

Stay connected

Join our electronic mailing list for up-to-date information on our funding calls, and follow us on social media and join the conversation using #energyinnovation

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