British Columbia Allocates $9.2 Million to Climate, Health, and Nutrition-Focused Projects

Two key innovation organizations in British Columbia (BC) are investing a combined total of $9.2 million in groundbreaking projects across the cleantech and life sciences sectors. The BC Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy (CICE) is contributing $7.7 million to 13 projects, with funding dedicated to addressing challenges in wildfire technology and climate change-related innovations. Additionally, Crown corporation Innovate BC has allocated $1.5 million to support five BC-based projects that focus on research and development in the fields of life sciences, food sciences, and cleantech.

The CICE’s funding includes $3.5 million allocated to six companies selected from 74 applicants in response to its 2024 wildfire tech call for innovation, launched in June. This initiative was specifically designed to source and support innovative solutions that can assist communities in adapting to, preventing, and mitigating the increasingly severe impacts of wildfires, a growing issue in BC exacerbated by climate change. The selected companies—CRWN.ai, FireSwarm Solutions, Hummingbird Drones, Skyward Wildfire Technologies, Voxelis, and Wildfire Robotics—are developing advanced technologies aimed at reducing wildfire risks, enhancing emergency response, and safeguarding vulnerable regions. CICE President and CEO Sarah Goodman highlighted the urgency of these projects, noting that “wildfires are becoming more frequent and destructive, threatening communities, ecosystems, and the economy.” She stressed that the companies receiving funding are at the forefront of developing innovative solutions to help combat this escalating crisis.

In addition to its wildfire tech initiatives, CICE is investing $4.2 million into seven BC-based climate tech companies, chosen from 79 applicants who responded to its July 2024 open call for innovation. These projects focus on three critical areas of climate action: low-carbon hydrogen, low-carbon fuels, and energy storage. Among the companies selected for funding are Edison Motors, NORAM Electrolysis Systems, AlgaFilm Technologies, NanosTech Environmental, Ekona Power, Quantum Technology, and Unilia Fuel Cells. These companies are pioneering technologies that aim to reduce carbon emissions and contribute to the global effort to transition to more sustainable energy solutions.

Meanwhile, Innovate BC has directed $1.5 million toward five projects in the areas of life sciences, food sciences, and cleantech. These grants are part of Innovate BC’s ongoing commitment to advancing the province’s innovation ecosystem, particularly in sectors that have the potential to make a substantial impact on both local economies and the environment. By supporting projects that drive research and development in these high-impact industries, Innovate BC is playing a key role in positioning BC as a leader in innovation and sustainable growth.

These investments collectively underscore British Columbia’s strategic focus on nurturing innovation across sectors that are essential for both the province’s environmental sustainability and economic growth. By directing funding to projects targeting climate change mitigation, wildfire prevention, and cutting-edge scientific research, BC is positioning itself as a leader in addressing some of the most urgent challenges of the present. These initiatives do more than just provide immediate solutions—they are fostering long-term resilience by encouraging the development of technologies that can adapt to changing environmental conditions, protect communities, and drive sustainable growth. In doing so, they help pave the way for a future where both the economy and the environment can thrive in harmony, setting a model for innovation and sustainability that can inspire other regions to follow suit.