Aaron Guan is the founder of Neptune Nanotechnologies, a bio-nano material startup that is converting crab and other crustacean shells from the seafood industry into nano-material additives. These additives can dramatically increase the strength, water resistance and fire retardancy of paper packaging and other materials so that they can compete in areas where plastics have historically won out - all while being fully biodegradable. In our conversation, we unpack how nanocrystals function and why they have such incredible potential; Aaron’s vision for a future with fully biodegradable products; and the impact that traditional plastics and additives have on human health and the climate. We also talk about scaling a hardtech business from lab to commercial scale, overcoming green premiums in a highly commoditized market, and lessons learned from Aaron’s first biomaterials company. Episode Links Aaron Guan Neptune Nanotechnologies Neptune's YouTube Channel The Lean Startup If you liked this episode, please leave a review! You can also send feedback and ideas for future episodes to hello@climatetechcanada.ca. Want more? Sign up for our newsletter to get news and insights on Canada's growing climate tech industry at climatetechcanada.ca
Benoit Lacroix is the co-founder and CEO at ReliON, a Reliability-as-a-Service startup offering an end-to-end experience for charging operators from problem detection to resolution. In our conversation, we talk about why these charging issues exist in the first place, how they’re integrating a range of data points to better pinpoint charger issues and deploy the right resources for the job, and the impact reliability has on widespread adoption of EVs. We also talk about what policy supports need to be in place to support electrification, the unique hurdles faced by fleet operators, and lessons Benoit’s bringing to this problem from close to 20 years experience working on electrifying transportation. Talking Points: [3:40] Why reliability is still a problem in EV charging [7:55] Benoit’s journey from muscle cars to electric heavy duty vehicles [9:48] Building ReliON out of a Venture Studio [12:39] The different end users across the EV ecosystem [16:10] The many different problems chargers can run into [25:24] How do we define reliability? [28:16] The policy landscape and tailwinds [32:00] Listening to front line drivers [35:12] Lessons on company building from Effenco Episode Links ReliON Diagram Ventures Canada’s Electric Vehicle Availability Standard A More Beautiful Question by Warren Berger If you liked this episode, please leave a review! You can also send feedback and ideas for future episodes to hello@climatetechcanada.ca Want more? Sign up for our newsletter at climatetechcanada.ca
In this episode of The Climate Cycle, we explore the world of public transit and its positive impact on our climate and communities. Our guest is Justin Hunt, co-founder and CEO at Blaise Transit. Blaise is a sustainable mobility technology provider whose objective is to improve the cost-efficiency, ridership, and coverage of transit services. Blaise’s flagship product is a universal software platform based in artificial intelligence that allows local transit agencies to implement on-demand transit, paratransit or any other reservation-based transit service, using clicks, not code. Justin has dedicated the past six years to nurturing Blaise Transit from its inception to a global force in the transit industry. Under his leadership, Blaise Transit has grown to a team of over 20 professionals and established partnerships with over 60 communities throughout North America. In our conversation, Justin shares how his personal experiences using transit growing up led to founding Blaise Transit, how on-demand solutions are improving access (and in some cases safety) for communities, and the role of public transit in tackling climate change. Episode Links Blaise Transit Justin Hunt or jhunt@blaisetransit.com Next 36 Transit App Start With Why by Simon Sinek If you liked this episode, please leave a review! You can also send feedback and ideas for future episodes to hello@climatetechcanada.ca Want more? Sign up for our newsletter at climatetechcanada.ca
In this episode of The Climate Cycle we talk with Wayne McIntyre, founder and CEO of Relocalize. Relocalize is eliminating middle mile logistics with hyper-local food production, starting with the packaged ice industry. Transporting food produces about 3 gigatonnes of CO2 each every year. And while electrifying transport will play a huge rule in reducing those emissions, Wayne and the Relocalize team asked “What if instead of electrifying all these links in the chain, we eliminated them entirely?”. Wayne McIntyre brings over 20 years of experience in strategy, law, and technology. He has led growth transformations, M&A, and building commercial teams in both technology startups and large corporations. We explore: the inefficiencies and high carbon costs of our current food system, why now is the right time to challenge centralization, the difference between automation and autonomy, and his vision for a hyper-local food system. Highlights: [4:28] The origins of Relocalize and mining for problems [7:55] The climate problem embedded in middle-mile logistics [12:38] Solving supply chain resiliency while decarbonizing [15:06] Why now is the right time for decentralized production [17:01] Automation vs autonomy and closing unsolved gaps [26:01] How to break down complex systems and identify opportunities [29:56] Why a diverse team is critical for disrupting traditional sectors [34:34] Scaling to deploy hundreds of factories a year [37:14] Why we need patient capital for really disruptive innovation [40:07] How we can get the incentives for big risks right Episode Links: Relocalize Wayne McIntyre Climate Brick The Caves of Steel by Isaac Asimov If you liked this episode, please leave a review! You can also send feedback and ideas for future episodes to hello@climatetechcanada.ca
In this episode of The Climate Cycle we sit down with Stephanie Lipp, co-founder and CEO of MycoFutures. MycoFutures is creating a new material for the fashion industry (and beyond) using mycelium, the root system of fungi. Their material is a leather alternative that is animal-free, plastic-free and non-toxic. Animal-based leathers contribute to a range of climate issues, from propping up the beef industry (which is a major contributor to methane emissions and deforestation) to water pollution and human health impacts from the tanning process. Even vegan leathers are often made from polyvinyl chloride or polyurethane, both of which come from fossil fuels. MycoFutures combines mushroom cultivation, vertical farming technology, and novel tanning methods to create innovative materials that have the look and feel of leather but without the environmental impact. In our conversation, we cover: [1:50] Starting a mushroom farm in rural Newfoundland [6:15] Problems with animal-based leathers [9:56] Why there's no problem too small in climate [14:19] How they grow mycelium into a durable material [18:29] The potential in strain selection [20:30] Keys to scaling up [23:45] What's resonating with early customers [27:01] Proving the viability of a circular bioeconomy [29:42] Obstacles for early-stage startups that don't match the pattern [35:04] De-risking science-focused ventures Episode links MycoFutures Newfoundland and Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake Mycophilia by Eugenia Bone Radical Mycology by Peter McCoy Fantastic Funghi If you liked this episode, please leave a review! You can also send feedback and ideas for future episodes to hello@climatetechcanada.ca
In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Vida Gabriel, co-founder and COO of TerraFixing. TerraFixing has engineered the only Direct Air Carbon Capture (DAC) technology to capture CO2 in cold climates. Because of their unique cold climate technology, they enable northern mines and the underserved indigenous communities nearby to fully decarbonize and achieve energy independence. Dr. Vida Gabriel, co-founder and COO of TerraFixing, is an entrepreneur tackling climate change and is recognized in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list. With a PhD in sustainable chemical reaction engineering and almost a decade of engineering research experience, she is leading innovation to develop the first ever cold-climate direct air carbon capture (DAC) technology – a direct means for Canada to reach our net-zero targets. In this episode, we cover: [2:00] The origins of TerraFixing and why they're pursuing a physical, adsorption-based method of removing carbon [4:25] Vida's pivot from biodegradable plastics to carbon removal [7:10] The advantages of working in cold climates [11:21] Partnering with Tugliq to unlock renewable energy investments in the North [15:19] Why carbon removal is so deeply intertwined with the energy system [17:47] Unpacking common criticisms of carbon removal and why we need it [26:38] Building a hardtech company out of a university lab & what needs to improve in the ecosystem [32:43] Advice to get started in carbon removal Episode Links TerraFixing Tugliq Energie SDTC Seed Fund Carbon Unbound Carbon Business Council AirMiners Speed and Scale by John Doerr Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell Unwinding Anxiety by Judson Brewer If you liked this episode, please leave a review! You can also send feedback and ideas for future episodes to hello@climatetechcanada.ca. Want more? Join hundreds of industry experts reading the best in Canadian climate tech each week. Subscribe at climatetechcanada.ca.
In this episode of The Climate Cycle, we're sharing a preview of our upcoming report on the state of VC funding for Canadian climate tech. It breaks down funding by industry, which investors and regions are the most active, and year-over-year changes in deal activity. We share three areas of climate tech that we’ve been following closely this year and that have been attracting investment dollars. We dive into chemicals and plastics, alternative proteins, and enabling platforms in sectors like carbon removal and biomanufacturing. I’d love to hear which sectors you’re watching closely, or if you think we got something wrong. You can also send feedback and ideas for future episodes to hello@climatetechcanada.ca Episode Links Our 2023 VC funding report Bioform Technologie and Anodyne Chemistries erthos Friendlier Suppli and Reusables.com Nfinite Nanotech Inside Chemical Valley’s state of emergency Opalia and Maia Farms CFIN and Genomics Ontario Mangrove Systems Biointelligence
In this episode of The Climate Cycle, we sit down with Roya Aghighi and Sarah Graham, co-founders of Lite-1. Lite-1 is using biomanufacturing to produce sustainable dyes from microorganisms, replacing the fossil fuel-based dyes and pigments used in many industries. Dyes are easy to overlook even though they’re right in front of us. But conventional versions are made from fossil fuels, contributing to water pollution, human health risk, and climate change. Lite-1 is aiming to take over these synthetic colourants with their sustainable and circular alternatives. In our conversation, we explore the world of biodesign and precision fermentation, and why Roya and Sarah believe it’s the future of manufacturing. We also talk about the environmental and social impact of traditional dyes and the shift they’re seeing towards sustainable solutions like Lite-1 from partners in fashion and other industries. Roya and Sarah also share their experiences building a hardtech company in Canada and how we can build a more supportive ecosystem for hardtech and climate tech. About Lite-1 Lite-1 is at the forefront of transforming the colour industry, transitioning it from one of the most pollutive sectors to a clean, sustainable, and ethical one. By pioneering the next generation of 100% sustainable colourants grown from microorganisms in a circular system, Lite-1 is revolutionizing the way colours are produced and experienced. Using microbes as the factories of the future, Lite-1 cultivates sustainable dyes and colourants that offer an eco-friendly alternative to the fossil fuel-based dyes currently prevalent across industries. With the founders leading the charge in the field of biodesign, Lite-1 introduces a groundbreaking approach to interdisciplinary collaboration and bridges the gap between innovative technologies, systemic change, and societal needs, paving the way for a circular and regenerative economy that is not only environmentally sound but also economically viable. By prioritizing sustainability and profitability in equal measure, Lite-1 is shaping a brighter, more colourful future for industries worldwide. If you liked this episode, please leave a review! You can also send feedback and ideas for future episodes to hello@climatetechcanada.ca In our conversation, we cover: [4:09] Roya & Sarah's journey into biodesign and biomanufacturing [8:58] The problem with conventional dyes [12:23] How biomanufacturing works [14:46] Advancements in bioreactor technology [18:46] Scaling up and adoption with industry [21:06] Integrating with existing supply chains [30:33] Common misconceptions about biodesign [35:21] Challenges building a hardtech company in Canada [43:40] Building out the Lite-1 team & what's next Episode Links Lite-1 Roya Aghighi Sarah Graham The Invention of Nature by Andrea Wulf Grow magazine by Ginko Bioworks
In this episode of the Climate Cycle, we talk to Jack Bruner, co-founder at Mammoth Climate. Mammoth empowers companies to achieve their climate goals by mobilizing the workforce. Mammoth's platform brings climate literacy and specific actions employees can take to reduce emissions into the workday, and helps sustainability teams align these efforts with the company’s specific emissions targets. We talk about why so many corporate net-zero strategies are failing, how to make the return-on-investment case for sustainability teams, and what it means to build climate culture at work. Jack also shares his experience leading teams in a fast-growing company, navigating challenging market conditions, and the keys to an effective founding team. If you liked this episode, please leave a review! You can also send feedback and ideas for future episodes to hello@climatetechcanada.ca About Jack & Mammoth Climate Jack is the co-founder of Mammoth Climate. Mammoth's mission is to empower companies to achieve their climate goals by mobilizing the workforce. The team at Mammoth believe that the fight against climate change will be won from the bottom up, and bring expertise to the problem area in corporate sustainability and behavioural science. To date, their work has driven tens of thousands of tonnes of carbon reduction and removal across their clients who range from financial institutions, to tech companies, to universities. In our conversation, we cover: [1:44] The problem with corporate net-zero plans [4:04] Creating tailored climate actions [6:58] Building climate literacy [8:07] Empowering Green Teams [9:20] Why Scope 3 reductions are becoming table stakes [13:08] Carbon offsets vs reducing emissions [16:20] Mammoth’s growth and what’s changed in the market [20:17] Creating a climate culture & key learnings [25:22] The challenges leading a high growth company [30:01] Keys to an effective founding team Episode Links Jack Bruner Mammoth Climate Climate Tech Canada No Competition newsletter by Matt Bertulli Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
In this episode of The Climate Cycle, we sit down with Alex Todorovic, co-founder and CEO of Arbor, a carbon management platform. We talk about the challenges faced by companies around the world as they decarbonize their operations and Scope 3 emissions, and the regulatory pressures that are creating a sense of urgency in businesses. Alex shares the origins of Arbor from the early days at the University of Calgary, the team’s first hand experience with wasteful supply chains, and how they’re harnessing network effects to unlock data across industries. About Alex Alex Todorovic is co-founder and CEO of Arbor, a carbon management platform. Utilizing his extensive background in both software and business development, Alex has put his sights towards combating climate change, with a focus on creating positive human impact. Alex's passion for protecting the environment comes from his love of the outdoors, never letting a nice day go to waste. About Arbor Arbor aims to be the world's most accurate carbon management platform that quickly calculates the carbon impact of products, assets, and supply chains, with a high degree of accuracy. Arbor transforms data into actionable insights, paired with climate data and expert guidance, enabling businesses and organizations to confidently quantify their Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. If you liked this episode, please leave a review! You can also send feedback and ideas for future episodes to hello@climatetechcanada.ca In our conversation, we cover: [1:56] The origins of Arbor [3:11] Working with Thin Air Labs [5:02] The team’s drive to have a tangible human impact [8:21] How the founding team came together [10:10] Arbor as the single source of truth for emissions [13:10] Avoiding greenwashing with data quality [15:36] Working with regulators [18:18] Using network efforts to unlock data at scale [19:50] The competitive landscape [23:38] What growth looks like today [26:39] Growing the business and future fundraising Episode Links Alex Todorovic Arbor Thin Air Labs Global Reporting Initiative Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions The Hard Thing About Hard Things
Paul Sehr is the co-founder of Jouleia, a new home modernization platform. Paul started Jouleia after modernizing & electrifying his own home - and realizing just how complex it can be. Jouleia is modernizing homes for the electric age. Over 11 million Canadian homes require energy retrofits, covering everything from installing heat pumps to air sealing to improving insulation. Jouleia is simplifying the home retrofit process with a suite of free resources and their Home Expert Service, which handles the research and planning process of the retrofit while connecting homeowners with contractors and financing options. Paul is a serial entrepreneur, having previously co-founded & run technology at FinanceIt (acquired, now Canada's largest home improvement lender). He has a technical background, with extensive executive experience in the fintech & home improvement sectors. In our conversation, we cover: [1:26] - How Paul got interested in this area by modernizing his own home [5:02] - The problem Jouleia is solving in the market [9:24] - Putting together the founding team [11:13] - Building science and why they look at buildings as a system [15:20] - Heat pump performance in cold temperatures [17:33] - How we can accelerate retrofitting the millions of buildings needed for net-zero [23:45] - Affordability in making these upgrades [27:23] - How upgrading your home can avoid 35 flights worth of CO2 [28:32] - Lessons he’s applying from his time at FinanceIt [31:06] - Initial traction with customers [33:15] - Finding product market fit [36:15] - Connecting homeowners and contractors in a marketplace [38:02] - Emerging trends in home electrification [41:08] - Building in the Toronto tech ecosystem and how its evolved
The Climate Cycle brings you in-depth conversations with climate tech founders building the next generation of climate solutions right here in Canada. From the team at Climate Tech Canada, a weekly newsletter covering the latest in Canada’s climate tech ecosystem. We’re on a mission to highlight the incredible work of Canadian founders and connect the climate tech community. Join us every other Thursday for new episodes.