The B.C. Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy (CICE) is investing $2.46 million into five women-led climate tech startups, advancing a new wave of high-impact, hard tech solutions aimed at decarbonizing transportation, construction, and bio-industrial sectors.
Announced as part of CICE’s inaugural Women in Climate Tech Call for Innovation, the funding supports ventures led by female founders tackling some of the most complex challenges in industrial decarbonization.
“Solving today’s climate and energy challenges will take innovation, practical leadership, and strategic investment in technologies that can scale,” said Sarah Goodman, President and CEO of CICE. “By backing women-led climate tech ventures, we’re strengthening Canada’s economy, driving real-world solutions, and unlocking the full potential of Canadian talent.”
Selected from a competitive pool of 58 applicants, the five funded ventures include:
- Agora Energy Technologies (Vancouver): Turning captured CO₂ into clean energy using a one-step process that combines purification and conversion.
- Ayrton Energy (Calgary): Enabling hydrogen storage and transport through existing fuel infrastructure.
- EnviCore (Calgary): Creating low-carbon cement alternatives from industrial waste.
- Gaia Refinery (Halifax): Deploying a modular system to remove carbon at scale for bio-industries.
- Seacork Studio (Vancouver): Developing carbon-negative building materials using seaweed.
These companies were chosen for their scalable solutions and potential to deliver both climate and economic impact.
CICE emphasized that empowering women in climate tech is a strategic imperative—not just a moral one. A report by MaRS Discovery District suggests that a 10% increase in women-owned small- and medium-sized enterprises could boost Canada’s GDP by $198 billion.
“Backing diverse founders isn’t charity—it’s how we win,” said Goodman. “When we bring more voices to the table, we unlock better ideas, build stronger businesses, and find smarter solutions.”
Beyond capital, CICE is working to close the gender gap in climate tech through initiatives like R2WS: Innovation with Impact – Women in Tech, which helps women founders build networks and access critical resources.
“To scale transformative technologies, we need to ensure that all innovators have a fair shot,” the organization stated.
Since its founding, CICE has invested nearly $40 million into 65 projects valued at more than $264 million. The Women in Climate Tech initiative marks another step in its mission to accelerate inclusive, clean energy innovation that builds economic resilience and environmental leadership.