Ottawa Investing Over $2.5m To Support Early-Stage Cleantech Companies In Ontario

Kingston: As the need for clean technology grows, the cleantech sector in Canada is expanding with innovative ideas that are ready to be put to the test. Start-ups encounter challenges gaining access to the resources and tools they need to succeed.
On behalf of Helena Jaczek, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), Mark Gerretsen, Member of Parliament for Kingston and the Islands, announced a non-repayable contribution of over $2.5 million for GreenCentre Canada to help businesses in the cleantech sector commercialize their products, scale-up their businesses and create jobs in southern Ontario. 
With this investment, GreenCentre Canada is delivering the Advance-ON program, which will provide a combination of access to specialized laboratory equipment and technical experts – to early stage clean tech companies that are ready to commercialize their technologies and grow their businesses. Each company selected will have a plan tailored to address their specific needs to accelerate their product and process developments. Through this Jobs and Growth Fund investment, GreenCentre Canada will assist up to 30 SMEs, support 650 jobs, 350 during the project period and an additional 300 within two years of project completion, and leverage almost $400,000 in private sector investment.
Participants will also receive business advisory supports from a network of subject matter experts such as chemists, chemical engineers and specialists that will help them with product development and commercialization activities that will help entrepreneurs get their products to market faster.
Through Advance-ON, GreenCentre Canada will also focus on supporting underrepresented groups in the cleantech sector. This includes prioritizing participation of underrepresented groups to be supported by the program, as well as identifying and supporting companies developing clean technologies that could benefit Indigenous communities. 
Helena Jaczek said: “This investment for GreenCentre Canada’s Advance-ON program represents the Government of Canada’s hands on commitment to supporting entrepreneurs while building towards a cleaner, green future and an inclusive recovery for all. This project will support 650 jobs and help up to 30 SMEs in southern Ontario to scale-up their business, commercialize products and improve resilience, strengthening Canada’s green economy for years to come.”
Mark Gerretsen said: “Through support for GreenCentre Canada’s Advance-ON program, the Government of Canada is supporting the transition to a clean, green economy. Today’s investment, reflects our commitment to helping local innovators succeed and to the equal participation of underrepresented groups in our economy.”
Andrew Pasternak, Executive Director, GreenCentre Canada, added: “GreenCentre Canada thanks FedDev Ontario for their commitment to helping high-potential companies develop and make significant contributions to the Canadian economy.  Our organization is uniquely positioned to deploy its resources, network of relationships, and expertise to help these companies de-risk and eventually scale up their innovative technologies. The objective of our Advance-ON program is to accelerate the commercialization of clean technologies in southern Ontario so they can rapidly benefit both the environment and Canadian economy.”
• Founded in 2009, GreenCentre Canada (GreenCentre) is a not-for-profit organization with facilities in Kingston and Mississauga. It offers unique services through its team of technical experts and specialized laboratories that support the growth of sustainable chemical and advanced materials companies by advancing their innovations to market.
• Since 2014, GreenCentre has leveraged government funding to assist over 130 Canadian SMEs who have since raised over $1 billion and created more than 700 direct jobs, bringing immediate benefits to the local economy and the environment.