Women remain underrepresented in the cleantech industry globally.
In 2020, women made up approximately 30% of the clean energy workforce, highlighting a significant disparity as men comprised the remaining 70%.
Leadership roles in cleantech also reflect this gap, with only 19% of Canadian cleantech companies having at least one female founder, and a mere 10% of cleantech founders being women.
The funding landscape is similarly skewed, as globally, less than 3% of venture capital was invested in women-led companies.
These figures underscore the pressing need for initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion within the sector.
One of those initiatives is the B.C. Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy‘s (CICE) Women in Climate Tech Call for Innovation.
Empowering founders who identify as women can unlock the potential for groundbreaking technologies, drive decarbonization efforts, and generate significant economic value. As the world moves toward net-zero emissions, diverse leadership in climate tech will be critical in shaping the future of sustainable innovation.
As part of their mission to advance diversity and equity within the climate tech sector, CICE is investing up to $3 million in climate tech and clean energy ventures led by women.
“Climate change poses a serious threat but also presents a significant economic opportunity. Achieving success requires that everyone has a seat at the table, especially women founders who are currently underrepresented across the cleantech ecosystem,” shared Sarah Goodman, CEO of CICE.
“By ensuring diverse voices and collaborative efforts, we can develop innovative solutions and build the companies of tomorrow. CICE is committed to addressing this imbalance, recognizing that empowering women entrepreneurs is essential for a sustainable future.”
CICE’s Women in Climate Tech Call for Innovation is open and runs until December 3rd.